Faculty of Health and Life Sciences,
Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
3.5 year, full-time PhD Studentship
Project title: Baculovirus P10
and microtubules; the role of P10 in virus-induced nuclear lysis with possible
applications for novel anti-cancer therapies
Eligibility: Home
UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in the UK/EU
Closing date: 20 March 2020
Start date: September 2020
Bursary p.a.: Bursary equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend plus fees
(2019/20 bursary rate is £15,009)
University fees and bench fees at the Home/EU rate will be met by the industrial sponsor, Oxford
Expression Technologies Ltd, for the 3.5 years of the Studentship.
Supervisors: Professor
Linda King, Dr Victor Bolanos-Garcia and Dr Adam Chambers
Project:
Baculoviruses
are insect-specific viruses that have a fascinating, two-phase replication
cycle that in phase one results in the release of budded virus to spread the
infection between cells whether in insect larvae or in cultured insect
cells. In phase 2, virus particles
remain in the nucleus where they become embedded in a proteinaceous matrix to
form polyhedra. Polyhedra are released
from nuclei following nuclear lysis or disintegration and serve to protect
virus particles during horizontal transmission between larvae.
This
project aims to (1) understand the mechanisms involved in baculovirus-induced
nuclear lysis to release polyhedra-containing virus particles; (2) investigate
the role of cellular microtubules and viral protein P10 in this process through
molecular, structural biology and microscopy techniques; and (3) investigate
the possibility that by disrupting microtubules, P10 could be developed as a
novel anti-mitotic therapeutic in cancer cells. The project would ideally suit
an outstanding graduate with a strong interest in the study of virus-host
interactions and/or molecular mechanisms of cell division regulation. Training and experience will be provided in a
range of modern bioscience techniques including cell culture, virology,
molecular biology, structural biology and microscopy
We are
seeking a motivated and talented student to join our multi-disciplinary team
working in an excellent research environment in modern well-equipped
laboratories, which is in collaboration with Oxford Expression Technologies Ltd
(OET), a small biotech company conveniently located within Oxford Brookes
Bioinnovation Hub.
For further information contact Prof Linda King:
laking@brookes.ac.uk or Dr Victor
Bolanos-Garcia: vbolanos-garcia@brookes.ac.uk
Requirements:
Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree from a
Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification
in Biological Sciences or a related discipline. Some experience in lab-based
experimental design, execution and analysis is essential. EU applicants must have
a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum
score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved
test centre, unless they have completed a degree in English.
How
to apply:
Applications should be sent to: hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk
and should include the following form which is available at:
(http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc)
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (Department of Biomedical and
Medical Sciences) and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Department
of Social Sciences)
3 Year, full-time,
Interdisciplinary PhD studentship
Project title: Genomics and population
genetics of the only venomous primate – the slow loris
Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently
resident in UK/EU
Closing date: 31 March 2020
Start date: September 2020
Bursary p.a.: Bursary equivalent to UKRI
national minimum stipend plus fees (2019/20 bursary rate is £15,009)
University fees and
bench fees at the Home/EU rate will be met by the University for the 3 years of
the Studentship.
Supervisors include: Dr Ravinder
Kanda, Professor Anna Nekaris
Project:
Lorises (along with the
other Strepsirrhini - lemurs and bushbabies) are amongst the most basal
primates. All species of slow loris are globally
threatened on the IUCN Red List and are
characterised by a suite of unique morphological characteristics, including
that they are one of the few known venomous mammals. Little is known about the
genome of this unusual primate, and while most interest in primate evolution
has focused on the great apes and monkeys, there is growing interest in
understanding the evolutionary history of strepsirrhines. Our main aim in this
project is to assemble a whole genome of the slow loris, and explore questions
relating to transposable element content in strepsirrhines (transposable
elements make up a large proportion of primate genomes). Additionally, we will
incorporate analyses relating to the population genetics and dynamics of Javan
slow lorises, a population of which we have been studying in the wild since
2011. Using a RAD sequencing and population genetic approach, we will
investigate the levels of genetic diversity in this species (both within and
between populations).
In this project we will provide
training at the nexus of bioinformatics and evolutionary biology. The student
will develop skills in bioinformatics, evolutionary/molecular biology and
population genetic. There is also the opportunity for the student to spend some
time in a biomolecular lab in Indonesia.
For further information please contact
Dr Ravinder Kanda (rkanda@brookes.ac.uk) or Professor Anna Nekaris
(anekaris@brookes.ac.uk).
Requirements:
We seek an enthusiastic student with
an interest in genomics as well as primate evolution and ecology. A large
component of this project will be computational - prospective applicants should
either have a computational UG degree with some experience of
molecular/evolutionary genetics, or a molecular biology/genetics UG degree,
with some experience of bioinformatics (familiarity with Perl, R, Linux).
Applicants should have a first or
upper second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK
or acceptable equivalent qualification. EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS
Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 7.0
and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre.
How to apply:
Applications should be sent to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk and should include
the following application form
(http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc).
Faculty
of Health and Life Sciences,
Department
of Biomedical and Medical Sciences
3 Year, full-time PhD studentship
Project
title: Museum genomics for understanding species decline and extinction
Eligibility:
Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU
Closing
date: 22 April 2020
Start
date: September 2020
Bursary
p.a.: Bursary equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend plus fees (2020/2021
£15,285)
University fees and bench fees at the Home/EU rate will
be met by the University for the 3 years of the Studentship.
Supervisors: Dr. Saad Arif, Prof. Tim Shreeve, Dr.
Michael Gerth, Dr. Maria DS Nunes
Project:
Background and Aims:
Genetic
diversity is part of biodiversity.
The current biodiversity crisis is not only resulting in loss of species but
rapid erosion of genetic diversity within species, increasing the likelihood of
extinction. Advances in sequencing technologies, including those that can be
applied to historic specimens, allows for charting genome-wide changes in
genetic diversity through time.
Additionally, high-resolution genomic data can identify specific genetic
changes associated with species declines. Butterfly species are particularly
responsive to changes in the environment and offer an excellent opportunity to
understand the genomic basis of the decline and local extinction in general.
This project contributes to the integration of genomic studies into
conservation programmes, using two butterfly case studies (Black-veined white and
Wood white) with contrasting extinction process pathways.
Methodology and Training:
In
this project the PhD student will collaborate with the Oxford University Museum
of Natural History (OUMNH), Natural History Museum (NHM London) and other
museums across the UK and Europe to obtain a temporally-spaced sampling of
Black-veined white and Wood white specimens. Some field work, in the UK and
Europe, for collecting specimens and some ecological data from extant
populations will also be required. Molecular work will involve DNA extraction
from fresh and 100-200 year old dried museum samples. The student will use
whole genomic data and/or reduced representation genomic data (e.g. HyRAD) to
understand the genomic consequences of species’ decline and local extinction
and the implications for conservation and reintroduction. Training in molecular
work, bioinformatics and population genomics will be provided by the Centre of
Functional Genomics at Oxford Brookes University.
For further information contact Dr Saad Arif: sarif@brookes.ac.uk or Prof. Tim Shreeve:
tgshreeve@brookes.ac.uk
Requirements:
Applicants should have a first or upper
second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or
acceptable equivalent qualification in Biology, Ecology, Evolution,
Conservation or related discipline (excellent
communication and quantitative skills are essential). A strong interest in one
or more of the following: bioinformatics, genomics and conservation is
essential. EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or
equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in
the last 2 years by an approved test centre.
How to apply:
Applications should be sent to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk and should include
the following form
(http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc)
.