Raman Group: Unravelling Mechanisms of Phenotypic Diversity in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy through Advanced Cardiac MRI and Patient-Specific Multi-Omic Modelling

Figure illustrates the translational ambition to provide mechanistic into diverse phenotypes among patients with HCM linking MRIphenotypes with ‘omic signatures

About the Research 

HCM is a genetically heterogeneous disease with variable expression ranging from benign hypertrophy to severe heart failure, arrhythmias, or sudden death. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this variability remains a major unmet need in cardiovascular medicine.

The candidate will play a leading role in: deep CMR phenotyping using cutting-edge CMR techniques, including fiffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) to assess myocardial disarray and microstructure, 31P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify myocardial energetics, Oxygenation-sensitive MRI (BOLD or OS-CMR) to assess regional myocardial oxygen handling, T1 mapping and ECV to assess diffuse fibrosis, Recruiting genotyped HCM patients stratified by sarcomeric variant and phenotype severity, collecting and processing peripheral blood samples for transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic profiling, collaborating with basic science partners generating iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, organoid development from cells isolated from the same patients to characterise cellular metabolism and function

Integrating in vivo imaging data with in vitro cellular findings and omics data to elucidate variant-specific pathways driving disease. The candidate will also have an opportunity to develop skills in basic science experiments.

This project is well suited to exceptional students with a background in medical imaging and basic science, bioinformatics, or cardiovascular sciences. Experience with Python or R is desirable. A keen interest in translational imaging and cardiovascular disease is essential. Individuals with extensive prior domain expertise (worked in Toepfer/Raman labs – and is proficient with MRI and invitro approaches) and with a clear track record of academic excellence may be able to complete the MSc by Research in a shorter timeframe. Interested candidates are encouraged to reach out to PI Betty.raman@cardiov.ox.ac.uk with a copy of their CV to discuss project details.

This MSc by Research project is suitable for part-time research.

Training Opportunities

1. Hands-on training in advanced CMR acquisition and analysis, including DTI, MRS, and perfusion/oxygenation mapping
2. Exposure to multi-omics analysis, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics from patient blood samples and working with basic scientists with expertise in this field.
3. Exposure to integration of clinical imaging and molecular datasets for phenotype-genotype-mechanism correlation
4. Opportunities to work with a multidisciplinary team including cardiologists, imaging scientists, geneticists, and stem cell biologists
5. Participation in the development of AI-assisted models for phenotypic classification and mechanistic prediction
6. Experience in research governance, ethics, and trial coordination
7. Opportunities to present at national/international meetings and contribute to high-impact publications

Students are encouraged to attend the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine DPhil Course, which takes place in the autumn of their first year. Running over several days, this course helps students to develop basic research and presentation skills, as well as introducing them to a wide range of scientific techniques and principles, ensuring that students have the opportunity to build a broad-based understanding of differing research methodologies.

Generic skills training is offered through the Medical Sciences Division's Skills Training Programme. This programme offers a comprehensive range of courses covering many important areas of researcher development: knowledge and intellectual abilities, personal effectiveness, research governance and organisation, and engagement, influence, and impact. Students are actively encouraged to take advantage of the training opportunities available to them.

As well as the specific training detailed above, students will have access to a wide range of seminars and training opportunities through the many research institutes and centres based in Oxford.

The Department has a successful mentoring scheme, open to graduate students, which provides an additional possible channel for personal and professional development outside the regular supervisory framework. We hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award in recognition of our efforts to build a happy and rewarding environment where all staff and students are supported to achieve their full potential.

Additional Supervisors 

1. Christopher Toepfer 

2. Hugh Watkins 

3. Anuj Goel

Publication