Continue with FacebookLooking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here.
About the Project
The shapes and sizes of organisms and organs are scrupulously conserved within a species. What regulates the shapes and sizes of organisms and their lateral organs are intriguing and fundamental questions in Biology. Understanding the mechanisms controlling shapes and sizes will also lead to new genetic tools that will be essential for tackling the future challenges such as improving crop yield, to support the ever-growing global population.
To this end, we focus on understanding genetic mechanisms controlling diverse shapes and sizes of leaves. Leaves are the main photosynthetic organ and show a great diversity in shape and size. We have been investigating the key regulators controlling the leaf shape in Arabidopsis. Changes in these key regulators alter the final leaf shape and also involve in the natural shape variation among different ecotypes.
In this project you will investigate the genetic pathways governing the leaf shape in Arabidopsis, and also determine how environmental cues affect these genetic pathways. Experimental approaches such as molecular biology, genetics, plant histology and phylogenetic analysis will be used for the study. This includes techniques such as molecular cloning and expression analysis, in situ hybridization, immunolocalization, plant transformation and tissue culture, Scanning Electron Micrography (SEM) and sequence analysis.
Entry Requirements
Candidates are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a related area/subject. Candidates with previous laboratory experience, particularly in cell culture and molecular biology, are particularly encouraged to apply.
How To Apply
For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/). Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor. On the online application form select PhD Genetics
For international students, we also offer a unique 4 year PhD programme that gives you the opportunity to undertake an accredited Teaching Certificate whilst carrying out an independent research project across a range of biological, medical and health sciences.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/”
For international students we also offer a unique 4 year PhD programme that gives you the opportunity to undertake an accredited Teaching Certificate whilst carrying out an independent research project across a range of biological, medical and health sciences. For more information please visit http://www.internationalphd.manchester.ac.uk
Funding Notes
This project has a Band 2 fee. Details of our different fee bands can be found on our website (View Website). For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (View Website).
Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor.
Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor.
References
Klingenberg C. P, Duttke S, Whelan S, Kim, M. (2011). Developmental plasticity, morphological variation and evolvability: a multilevel analysis of morphometric integration in the shape of compound leaves. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 25, 115-129.
Zoulias N, Koenig D, Hamidi A, McCormick S, Kim M. (2011). A role for PHANTASTICA in medio-lateral regulation of adaxial domain development in tomato and tobacco leaves. Annals of Botany, 109, 407-418.
Kim M, Cui M, Cubas P, Gilles A, Lee K, Chapman M, Abbott R, Coen E. (2008). Regulatory genes control a key morphological and ecological trait transferred between species. Science, 322(5904)
Kim M, McCormick S, Timmermans M, Sinha N. (2003). The expression domain of PHANTASTICA determines leaflet placement in compound leaves. Nature, 424(6947), 438-43.
Zoulias N, Koenig D, Hamidi A, McCormick S, Kim M. (2011). A role for PHANTASTICA in medio-lateral regulation of adaxial domain development in tomato and tobacco leaves. Annals of Botany, 109, 407-418.
Kim M, Cui M, Cubas P, Gilles A, Lee K, Chapman M, Abbott R, Coen E. (2008). Regulatory genes control a key morphological and ecological trait transferred between species. Science, 322(5904)
Kim M, McCormick S, Timmermans M, Sinha N. (2003). The expression domain of PHANTASTICA determines leaflet placement in compound leaves. Nature, 424(6947), 438-43.
Email Now
You haven’t included a message. Providing a specific message means universities will take your enquiry more seriously and helps them provide the information you need.
Why not add a message here
Why not add a message here
* required field
The information you submit to The University of Manchester will only be used by them or their data partners to deal with your enquiry, according to their privacy notice. For more information on how we use and store your data, please read our privacy statement.
Search suggestions
Based on your current searches we recommend the following search filters.
Check out our other PhDs in Manchester, United Kingdom
Check out our other PhDs in United Kingdom
Start a New search with our database of over 4,000 PhDs
PhD suggestions
Based on your current search criteria we thought you might be interested in these.
Investigating the genetic and environmental relationship between left-handedness, mortality, disease and other life outcomes
University of Queensland
Investigating the use of evolutionary computation in the development of autonomous systems.
University of Strathclyde
The development of tools and resources for the identification of inhibitors of pigment biosynthetic pathways in the chloroplast
Royal Holloway, University of London