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*PhD studentship*, *Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine**, **Barts and the **London** **School** of Medicine and Dentistry* *Queen Mary University of London* * * *Project Title:* Edwards and Patau Syndromes in England and Wales** */Supervisor: /*Professor Joan Morris */Co-Supervisor: /*Dr Jane Warwick We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic numerate graduate to carry out research on Edwards (ES) and Patau syndromes (PS) using data from the National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register. The successful candidate will be a graduate with at least an upper second class BSc (Hons) in statistics or another relevant discipline, or a lower second class BSc (Hons) with a relevant MSc. The student will be based in the Wolfson Institute at the School’s Charterhouse Square campus in the City of London. *Background: *PS and ES are the most common trisomies that survive to term after Down’s syndrome (DS). The National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register (NDSCR) has been collecting data on all diagnoses of these trisomies in England and Wales since 2004. There is now sufficient data to investigate their epidemiology. It is likely that a non-invasive prenatal diagnostic test for PS and ES will be developed within the next 5 years. It is essential to have data before the test is implemented so that its actual impact can be evaluated. * * Aims: i)To use data from England and Wales to determine if there is clustering in the prevalence of Patau syndrome (PS) and Edwards syndrome (ES). ii)To investigate the impact of the Fetal Anomaly Screening Program (FASP) on women with PS and ES pregnancies. iii)To evaluate the potential impact in the future of a non-invasive prenatal diagnostic test for PS and ES. *Methods:* Different statistical techniques to investigate clustering will be applied. Areas that do more antenatal screening will detect more cases (as due to high fetal loss rates these detected cases would have miscarried and would have remained undiagnosed). Therefore gestational age at diagnoses will need to be taken into account, as well as maternal age and population density. The second part of this thesis will be more descriptive about the effect of the national FASP on women with PS and ES pregnancies. The third part will use data on maternal age specific risks and fetal loss rates of PS and ES to model the impact of introducing a non-invasive prenatal diagnostic test. The NDSCR will be essential in monitoring the impact of such a test and the student will be responsible for ensuring that the data collected by the NDSCR will be sufficient to do this. *For an informal discussion, please contact the lead project supervisor, **Prof Joan Morris: **[log in to unmask]*** To apply, please download the School of Medicine & Dentistry application form from our website: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/index.html and return to the Admissions Office - email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> with a copy to the lead project supervisor. ** This studentship is funded by the Institute and comes with a tax free stipend of £15,000.00 per annum, for the duration of 3 years. Please note: tuition fees will be covered at the home rate only; an overseas candidate would have to fund the difference in fees, approximately £9000.00 per annum for a minimum period of three years *The closing date for applications is **28 June 2009**.*