The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary is one of the UK’s elite research centres, according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). We offer a multi-disciplinary research environment and have approximately 180 PhD students working on projects in the biological and psychological sciences. Our students have access to a variety of research facilities supported by experienced staff, as well as a range of student support services.The laboratory of Alex de Mendoza works on the evolution of gene regulatory mechanisms, with a special interest on base modifications and transposable elements. The group has an expertise in comprative analysis of epigenetic profiles across distant eukaryotes, usually working on "non-model" systems. The group uses a combination of bioinformatics and cutting edge sequencing techniques to answer basic questions in genome evolution. You can find more information about the group here: https://www.demendozalab.com/. This work would be done in collaboration with the Hurd laboratory (https://www.qmul.ac.uk/sbbs/staff/paulhurd.html), a leading group in epigenetics and chromatin biochemsitry. Both groups are part of the QMUL Epigenetics Hub, a highly dynamic network of laboratories with a wide range of expertise in epigenomics, see: http://qmulepigenetics.com/.
Our PhD students become part of Queen Mary’s Doctoral College which provides training and development opportunities, advice on funding, and financial support for research. Our students also have access to a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop key skills and attributes needed to effectively manage research, and to prepare and plan for the next stages of their career.In this project, you will be trained in state-of-the-art comparative genomics and epigenomics (EM-seq, DAP-seq, high throughput proteomics) and molecular biology (cloning, nucleic acid extraction). You will get hands on experimental approaches and develop proficiency in computational and statistical analyses. In addition to focused training, you will be trained in project management and presentation skills and encouraged to develop international collaborations and networking, including attendance to national and/or international meetings.
Cytosine DNA methylation is one of the most studied epigenetic marks in eukaryotes, with established roles in genome regulation and selfish DNA silencing. Still, we do not fully understand how methylation influences transcription. In part, that limitation is linked to the widespread focus on few highly complex model systems, mostly mammals or plants, with highly complex methylation patterns. In this project we want to fill this gap by understanding the evolution of cytosine methylation “readers”, proteins capable of exclusively binding to methylated cytosines. To this end, we will use comparative genomics and proteomics on multiple eukaryotes with simpler methylation landscapes, occupying key positions in the tree of life. The proteins identified in the previous approach will be then validated using functional genomics (e.g. DAP-seq, ChIP-seq).
This project will reveal how the various gene families that are known to have roles in DNA methylation interpretation evolved, and potentially will discover new proteins with this capacity. Ultimately, understanding how eukaryotic genomes interpret DNA methylation is important to clarify the roles of this epigenetic mark in genome regulation. In turn, these findings will have applications in synthetic biology approaches. Given the key roles DNA methylation has in human disease, including cancer, an evolutionary-informed mechanistic understanding of this epigenetic mark is critical, as the various genes and mechanisms we learn in divergent eukaryotes can be then used to read and interpret our own epigenome.
This studentship is open to students applying for China Scholarship Council funding. Queen Mary University of London has partnered with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to offer a joint scholarship programme to enable Chinese students to study for a PhD programme at Queen Mary. Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses for 4 years and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Applicants must be:
- Chinese students with a strong academic background.- Students holding a PR Chinese passport.- Either be resident in China at the time of application or studying overseas.- Students with prior experience of studying overseas (including in the UK) are eligible to apply. Chinese QMUL graduates/Masters’ students are therefore eligible for the scheme.
Please refer to the CSC website for full details on eligibility and conditions on the scholarship.
Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a masters degree in an area relevant to the project (Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry). A masters degree is desirable, but not essential.
For this PhD, any previous experience on molecular biology work, from cloning to protein purification would be highly benefitial. Furthermore, some basic knowledge of bioinformatics would also be helpful, although we are happy to provide training on this aspect. The project would combine wet lab and bioinformatics.
Applicants from outside of the UK are required to provide evidence of their English language ability. Please see our English language requirements page for details: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/postgraduateresearch/
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Alex de Mendoza at a.demendozasoler@qmul.ac.uk. Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 31st January 2023 for consideration, including a CV, personal statement and qualifications.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the project supervisor. Those who are successful in their application for our PhD programme will be issued with an offer letter which is conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements.
Once applicants have obtained their offer letter from Queen Mary they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship by the advertised deadline with the support of the project supervisor.
For September 2023 entry, applicants must complete the CSC application on the CSC website between 10th March - 31st March 2023. Only applicants who are successful in their application to CSC can be issued an unconditional offer and enrol on our PhD programme.
For further information, please go to: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/scholarships/items/china-scholarship-council-scholarships.html
Apply Online