NERC GW4+ DTP PhD studentship: Epigenomic regulation of germ cell development in fish: a target for environmental stressors?

Main supervisor: Doctor Eduarda Santos (University of Exeter)
Co-supervisor: Doctor Ronny van Aerle (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) The Nothe, Barrack Road Weymouth Dorset DT4 8UB)
Co-supervisor: Prof Jonathan Mill (University of Exeter)

Project enquiries - Email: [Email Address Removed] Contact number: +44 (0) 01392 724607
Host Institution: University of Exeter

Location: University of Exeter, Streatham Campus, Exeter

Project Description:

Sex determination and differentiation is a key process for species survival and has received consistently significant research focus across vertebrate species. Despite this, the genomic and epi- genomic regulators of sex determination and differentiation in fish remain poorly understood. As a result, understanding how environmental stressors impact on sexual function continues to be an area of intense research, for which no consensus has been reached.

Recently, evidence has suggested that exposures during critical stages of reproductive development may lead to effects on subsequent generations via epigenetic mechanisms occurring within the germ cells. Such datasets are both limited to a very small number of chemicals and controversial, but they raise the potential for far-reaching consequences of exposure to environmental stressors on future generations. These effects have implications for the long term reproductive success populations.

This project will use the zebrafish as a model organism to understand the genomic and epigenomic regulators of sex differentiation and development of the germ cells, and how they are influenced by environmental stressors. Exposures to a reproductive toxicant (such as the plastic component, bisphenol A) and to an abiotic stressor (hypoxia) both known to affect sexual differentiation and development will be conducted and the effects of exposure on the genomic and epi-genomic landscape of the germ cells will be determined. Exposed fish will be bred and the progeny maintained to the F2 generation in order to determine whether the alterations incurred as a result of the exposures can be inherited by subsequent generations.

The project will benefit from the availability of transgenic lines where the germ cells can be visualized and isolated using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). This technique has recently been established at Exeter and intact germ cells were successfully isolated from zebrafish gonads throughout development. The transcriptome, methylome and miRNA profiles of the germ cells will be characterized in zebrafish during development using both global and targeted approaches. The methodologies for transcriptome, methylome and miRNA profiling, as well as pipelines for bioinformatics data analysis, are in routine use in the labs of the supervisors.

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Master’s degree. Applicants with a minimum Upper Second Class degree and significant relevant non-academic experience are encouraged to apply. All applicants would need to meet our English language requirements by the start of the project
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/english/ The majority of the studentships are available for applicants who are ordinarily resident in the UK and are classed as UK/EU for tuition fee purposes, however up to 9 fully funded studentships across the DTP are available for EU/EEA applicants not ordinarily resident in the UK. Applicants who are classed as International for tuition fee purposes are not eligible for funding.

To apply online, please visit: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/studying/funding/award/?id=1908