fully funded PhD in Drosophila connectomics

An arm or a leg: the molecular machinery driving segment-specific neuronal innervation

Project Description

Across species, including humans, mouse and flies different stereotyped movements are executed by different specialized body parts along their body axes. Humans for example breathe using their diaphragm, chew with their jaws and walk using legs. The nerve circuits that control these movements are located at different points along the antero-posterior axis of the nervous system. This means that as the nervous system develops, groups of nerve cells at different positions are assembled to make the different circuits for these specialised behaviours. We know that Hox genes have a role in diversifying the morphology of a proportion of neurons and that this is required for the formation of specialised circuits required for movement. Yet, we do not know which transcripts are controlled by Hox genes to sculpt neuronal morphology and also their connections.

To understand the genetic mechanisms controlling the assembly of neuronal circuits for innate movements we will use the fruitfly Drosophila because developmental mechanisms are conserved between Drosophila and mammals. Gene conservation (72% of all genes) is in particular high between the locomotion centers of the central nervous system: the fly ventral nerve cord and the mammalian spinal cord.

The student will remove single neurons from the Drosophila embryonic ventral nerve cord, identify segment specific transcripts and test their function in shaping neuronal circuits and controlling locomotion.

In the course of the project the student will be exposed to a unique set of skills at the forefront of modern neurobiology such as cell transcriptomics, micromanipulation, Crispr/ Cas9 based gene editing, immunohistochemistry, optogenetics and behavioural studies.

The project is a collaboration between the group of Dr. Torsten Bossing, Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth and Dr. Jimena Berni, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex. The student will spend about 2 years in Plymouth and 1 year in Brighton.

Eligibility

Applicants must have a first or good upper second-class honours degree in an appropriate subject, and preferably a relevant Masters degree or extended laboratory research experience. The ideal candidate will have experience in either one or more of the following: genetics, molecular biology, immunohistochemistry, cell culture, biochemistry and/or confocal imaging. Experience in Drosophila as in vivo model and a background in neural development will be advantageous.

The studentship is supported for 3 years and includes full Home tuition fees plus a stipend of £18,021 per annum (2022/23 rate).  The fourth of the four-year registration period is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ year. The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications.  Applicants required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates (approximately £12,670 per annum). International students must have a IELTS score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 5.5 in any element).

If you wish to discuss this PhD research project further informally, please contact Dr. Bossing by email torsten.bossing@plymouth.ac.uk

For further information on research studentships at the University of Plymouth and to apply for this position please visit: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/your-studies/research-degrees/postgraduate-research-studentships and select the studentship you would like to apply for. Please clearly state the name of the studentship that you are applying for on your personal statement.

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application. For more information on the admissions process generally, please contact research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 22^nd of May 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview before 05.06.2023. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications.  Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful on this occasion.