*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**.*