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Fred C. W. Wu |
Professor
Department of Endocrinology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44-161-276 6330 Fax: +44-161-276 8019
Email: frederick.wu@manchester.ac.uk |
Studentships available
The human serum metabolome in health and disease
An emerging trend in biology is the ability to measure most of the chemical substances at a particular level of organisation - expression profiling (eg all the RNA molecules - genomics or all the proteins - proteomics). Metabolism is at a level 'downstream' from these, and so changes in protein and RNA will be amplified and thus more sensitive to changes that may occur in health or disease. By measuring as many as possible of the serum metabolites (the 'metabolome') we can generate the baseline data necessary to determine how these change under 'normal' conditions and provide the reference boundaries on which to assess the development of pathological changes.
Aim: The aim of this project is to obtain serum samples from several thousand normal controls from the general population and in primary care facilities, in order to measure their metabolome using a battery of modern analytical methods (GCxGC-tof, LC-ESI-MS, FTIR, FTICR-MS, NMR), along with all the clinical metadata describing the subjects from which they came. This will provide a 'baseline' by which the normal variance in the human serum metabolome may be established. It is intended that modern methods of multivariate statistics and supervised machine learning techniques are employed to provide prognostic and diagnostic metabolomic markers that will allow the accurate prediction of health or disease status.
Deadline: Applications are welcomed all year round
Frailty in ageing men in the general population of Europe
Funded by the European Commission, this studentship proposal is part of the European Male Ageing Study (EMAS). This is the largest-ever study on the health of ageing men in the world. The successful candidate will be provided with an annual stipend of ?12,000.
One of the most pressing problems in 21st century healthcare is how to maintain quality of life and functional independence in adults as they age. It is important to understand the mechanisms that underlie the physiological dysregulation, and identify biomarkers that will predict the progressive loss of wellbeing and functional decline in the elderly. This may lead to preventative opportunities to sustain good quality of life in old age.
Physical frailty, loss of muscle and its concomitants of curtailment of activities of daily living, disability and dependency are key components of the ageing phenotype. There is a growing belief that many of the symptoms and functional deficits experienced by elderly men are associated with ageing-related endocrine alterations.
The aim is to conduct a cross-sectional/longitudinal cohort study which will identify the nature, prevalence (and incidence) of the various constituent features that characterise physical frailty during physiological ageing in men, exploring their relationships with endocrine functions and other predisposing risk variables.
A random population sample of 3400 community-dwelling apparently healthy men aged 40-79 years in 8 different countries in Europe will be studied on two occasions 4 years apart. Each centre will recruit a total of 400 men (100 men from each decade). These men will be followed prospectively for 4 years to determine changes in both hormonal and general health status. This is a unique opportunity to participate in such an exciting and rewarding study.
Deadline: Applications welcomed all year round.
Applying: Interested applicants should submit a CV and covering letter (in lieu of a research proposal) identifying their suitability for the project to Professor FCW Wu. Applications are open to UK/EU candidates.
Selected Publications
Limer KL, Pye SR, Thomson W, Boonen S, Borghs H, Vanderschueren D, Huhtaniemi IT, Adams JE, Ward KA, Platt H, Payne D, John SL, Bartfai G, Casanueva F, Finn JD, Forti G, Giwercman A, Han TS, Kula K, Lean ME, Pendleton N, Punab M, Silman AJ, Wu FC, O'Neill TW; the EMAS study group. Genetic Variation in Sex Hormone Genes Influences Heel Ultrasound Parameters in Middle Aged and Elderly Men: Results From the European Male Ageing Study (EMAS). J Bone Miner Res. 2008 Sep 3. [Epub ahead of print] Wang C Md, Nieschlag E, Swerdloff RS, Behre H, Hellstrom WJ, Gooren LJ, Kaufman JM, Legros JJ, Lunenfeld B, Morales A, Morley JE, Schulman C, Thompson IM, Weidner W, Wu FC. ISA, ISSAM, EAU, EAA and ASA recommendations: investigation, treatment and monitoring of late-onset hypogonadism in males. Aging Male. 2008 Sep 1:1-8. Wang C, Nieschlag E, Swerdloff R, Behre HM, Hellstrom WJ, Gooren LJ, Kaufman JM, Legros JJ, Lunenfeld B, Morales A, Morley JE, Schulman C, Thompson IM, Weidner W, Wu FC. Investigation, Treatment, and Monitoring of Late-Onset Hypogonadism in Males: ISA, ISSAM, EAU, EAA, and ASA Recommendations. Eur Urol. 2008 Aug 30. [Epub ahead of print] Macfarlane GJ, Pye SR, Finn JD, Wu FC, Silman AJ, Bartfai G, Boonen S, Casaneuva F, Forti G, Giwercman A, Han TS, Huhtaniemi IT, Kula K, Lean ME, O'Neill TW, Pendleton N, Punab M, Vanderschueren D. Investigating the determinants of international differences in the prevalence of chronic widespread pain: evidence from the European Male Ageing Study (EMAS). Ann Rheum Dis. 2008 Aug 2. [Epub ahead of print] Mommers E, Kersemaekers WM, Elliesen J, Kepers M, Apter D, Behre HM, Beynon J, Bouloux PM, Costantino A, Gerbershagen HP, Gr?lund L, Heger-Mahn D, Huhtaniemi I, Koldewijn EL, Lange C, Lindenberg S, Meriggiola MC, Meuleman E, Mulders PF, Nieschlag E, Perheentupa A, Solomon A, V?s??L, Wu FC, Zitzmann M. Male hormonal contraception: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Jul;93(7):2572-80. Wu FC, Tajar A, Pye SR, Silman AJ, Finn JD, O'Neill TW, Bartfai G, Casanueva F, Forti G, Giwercman A, Huhtaniemi IT, Kula K, Punab M, Boonen S, Vanderschueren D; European Male Aging Study Group. Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis disruptions in older men are differentially linked to age and modifiable risk factors: the European Male Aging Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Jul;93(7):2737-45. O'Connor DB, Corona G, Forti G, Tajar A, Lee DM, Finn JD, Bartfai G, Boonen S, Casanueva FF, Giwercman A, Huhtaniemi IT, Kula K, O'Neill TW, Pendleton N, Punab M, Silman AJ, Vanderschueren D, Wu FC. Assessment of sexual health in aging men in Europe: development and validation of the European Male Ageing Study sexual function questionnaire. J Sex Med. 2008 Jun;5(6):1374-85. Liu PY, Swerdloff RS, Anawalt BD, Anderson RA, Bremner WJ, Elliesen J, Gu YQ, Kersemaekers WM, McLachlan RI, Meriggiola MC, Nieschlag E, Sitruk-Ware R, Vogelsong K, Wang XH, Wu FC, Zitzmann M, Handelsman DJ, Wang C. Determinants of the rate and extent of spermatogenic suppression during hormonal male contraception: an integrated analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 May;93(5):1774-83. Lee DM, O'Neill TW, Pye SR, Silman AJ, Finn JD, Pendleton N, Tajar A, Bartfai G, Casanueva F, Forti G, Giwercman A, Huhtaniemi IT, Kula K, Punab M, Boonen S, Vanderschueren D, Wu FC; the EMAS study group. The European Male Ageing Study (EMAS): design, methods and recruitment. Int J Androl. 2008 Mar 5. [Epub ahead of print] Lai TH, Lin YF, Wu FC, Tsai YH. Follicle-stimulating hormone-induced Galphah/phospholipase C-delta1 signaling mediating a noncapacitative Ca2+ influx through T-type Ca2+ channels in rat sertoli cells. Endocrinology. 2008 Mar;149(3):1031-7. Wu FC. Commentary: Guideline for male testosterone therapy: a European perspective. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Feb;92(2):418-9. Srinivas-Shankar U, Wu FC. Drug insight: testosterone preparations. Nat Clin Pract Urol. 2006 Dec;3(12):653-65. Liu PY, Swerdloff RS, Christenson P, Handelsman DJ, Wang C, Anawalt BD, Anderson RA, Bremner WJ, Elliesen J, Gu Yiqun, Kersemaekers WM, McLachlan RI, Meriggiola MC, Nieschlag E, Sitruk-Ware R, Vogelsong K, Wang Xanghai, Wu FCW, Zitzermann M. Rate, extent and modifiers of spermatogenic recovery after hormonal male contraception: an integrated analysis. Lancet. 2006 Apr 29;367(9520):1412-20. Nieschlag E, Swerdloff R, Behre HM, Gooren LJ, Kaufman JM, Legros JJ, Lunenfeld B, Morley JE, Schulman C, Wang C, Weidner W, Wu FC. Investigation, treatment, and monitoring of late-onset hypogonadism in males: ISA, ISSAM, and EAU recommendations. J Androl. 2006 Mar-Apr;27(2):135-7. Brady BM, Amory JK, Perheentupa A, Zitzmann M, Hay CJ, Apter D, Anderson RA, Bremner WJ, Pollanen P, Nieschlag E, Wu FC, Kersemaekers WM. A multicentre study investigating subcutaneous etonogestrel implants with injectable testosterone decanoate as a potential long-acting male contraceptive. Hum Reprod. 2006 Jan;21(1):285-94. Soran H, Wu FC. Endocrine causes of erectile dysfunction. Int J Androl. 2005 Dec;28 Suppl 2:28-34. Nieschlag E, Swerdloff R, Behre HM, Gooren LJ, Kaufman JM, Legros JJ, Lunenfeld B, Morley JE, Schulman C, Wang C, Weidner W, Wu FC; International Society of Andrology (ISA); International Society for the Study of the Aging Male (ISSAM); European Association of Urology (EAU). Investigation, treatment and monitoring of late-onset hypogonadism in males. ISA, ISSAM, and EAU recommendations. Eur Urol. 2005 Jul;48(1):1-4. Nieschlag E, Swerdloff R, Behre HM, Gooren LJ, Kaufman JM, Legros JJ, Lunenfeld B, Morley JE, Schulman C, Wang C, Weidner W, Wu FC. Investigation, treatment and monitoring of late-onset hypogonadism in males. Aging Male. 2005 Jun;8(2):56-8. Nieschlag E, Swerdloff R, Behre HM, Gooren LJ, Kaufman JM, Legros JJ, Lunenfeld B, Morley JE, Schulman C, Wang C, Weidner W, Wu FC. Investigation, treatment and monitoring of late-onset hypogonadism in males: ISA, ISSAM, and EAU recommendations. Int J Androl. 2005 Jun;28(3):125-7. Hay CJ, Brady BM, Zitzmann M, Osmanagaoglu K, Pollanen P, Apter D, Wu FC, Anderson RA, Nieschlag E, Devroey P, Huhtaniemi I, Kersemaekers WM. A multicenter phase IIb study of a novel combination of intramuscular androgen (testosterone decanoate) and oral progestogen (etonogestrel) for male hormonal contraception. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Apr;90(4):2042-9. O'Connor DB, Archer J, Wu FC. Effects of testosterone on mood, aggression, and sexual behavior in young men: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Jun;89(6):2837-45. Bouloux PM, Nieschlag E, Burger HG, Skakkebaek NE, Wu FC, Handelsman DJ, Baker GH, Ochsenkuehn R, Syska A, McLachlan RI, Giwercman A, Conway AJ, Turner L, van Kuijk JH, Voortman G. Induction of spermatogenesis by recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (puregon) in hypogonadotropic azoospermic men who failed to respond to human chorionic gonadotropin alone. J Androl. 2003 Jul-Aug;24(4):604-11. Wu FC, von Eckardstein A. Androgens and coronary artery disease. Endocr Rev. 2003 Apr;24(2):183-217. Gupta MK, Brown DC, Faiman C, Kelnar CJ, Wu FC. Effect of low-dose testosterone treatment on androgen regulated proteins prostate specific antigen and sex hormone binding globulin in short prepubertal boys: lack of initiation of puberty. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Jan;16(1):55-62. Sacc?M, Valenti G, Corvi Mora P, Wu FC, Ray DW. DHEA, a selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist: its role in immune system regulation and metabolism. J Endocrinol Invest. 2002;25(10 Suppl):81-2.
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