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School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences

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Deciphering the regulation of forces and cell shape of the neuroepithelium during early development of the human brain.

The following PhD studentship has an expected start date of Sept 2023.

The successful applicant for the following PhD studentship will enrol on a 3.5 year programme with Years 1 & 4 at QMUL and Years 2 & 3 in Singapore at an A*Star Research Institute. 

Research environment

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 150 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.

Details on each lab can be found at these websites:  

Training and development

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.

The student will become an expert on early human brain development, organoid culturing, CRISPR techniques for gene expression manipulation, cell and tissue visualisation approaches, quantitative cellular and physical perturbations, and theoretical computational modelling.

Project description

This research project will investigate the regulation of cell shape and forces in the early stages of human brain development. We will use In vitro models of organ development (derived from pluripotent stem cells iPSCs), which have had a revolutionary effect on the field of developmental and stem cell biology. The aim is to define some of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that orchestrate the organisation of the columnar neuroepithelium, a key process for the development of the brain and the spinal cord. The student will become an expert on early human brain development, organoid culturing, CRISPR techniques for gene expression manipulation, cell and tissue visualisation approaches, quantitative cellular and physical perturbations, and theoretical computational modelling. The formation of the human columnar neuroepithelium (NE) – the first step in the development of the spinal cord and brain – is barely understood. Cerebral organoids provide a useful 3D model to interrogate early development of the nervous system. We will investigate - using human iPSCs-derived cerebral organoids - the regulation of columnar cell shape and forces of the NE, an important event as NE cell shape contributes to human brain size. In an interdisciplinary approach, we will combine bioengineering (Gautrot), cell biophysics (Palacios/Gautrot), functional genetics (Palacios) and in silico modelling (Chiam) to study the biophysical principles governing NE development. 

This is a new collaboration to bring together 3 PIs with complementary expertise to solve the problem of organogenesis. Because organ development involves both physical processes in addition to biological ones, a multidisciplinary approach is needed. By combining in vitro models of organ development with sophisticated techniques from bioengineering and theoretical modelling, the student will be able to gain unprecedented insights into fundamental questions in organogenesis.

Funding

The studentship is open to candidates that classify for Home Fees, where QMUL will provide funding for 1.5 years, covering tuition fees at Home Fees rate and provide an annual tax-free maintenance allowance at the Research Council rate (£19,688 in 2022/23).

Years 2 & 3 is funded by A*Star, where details about funding can be found here: https://www.a-star.edu.sg/Scholarships/for-graduate-studies/a-star-research-attachment-programme 

Eligibility and applying

Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree, as well as desirably have research experience in the following areas relevant to the project: molecular biology, computation or bioengineering. A masters degree is desirable, but not essential.

Due to the funding terms stated above, candidates are preferably UK Residents that classify for Home Fee status. Please note that if you are successful with your application to QMUL, you will then be nominated to ARAP for consideration by 15th May 2023. Further details can be found here: https://www.a-star.edu.sg/Scholarships/for-graduate-studies/a-star-research-attachment-programme 

Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr Isabel Palacios (i.palacios@qmul.ac.uk). Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 7th April 2023.

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.

The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences is committed to promoting diversity in science; we have been awarded an Athena Swan Silver Award. We positively welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
http://hr.qmul.ac.uk/equality/ 
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/sbcs/about-us/athenaswan/ 

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