BACKGROUND
The sequencing of the human genome in 2001 was a landmark moment in biology. However it has taken 20 years for certain DNA regions such as telomeres to be included in the reference genome, and in most genomic studies they are still excluded. This is because their repetitive nature and length defies DNA sequencing techniques. However, telomeric sequences and telomere lengths matter. Telomeres act as molecular clocks that define cellular aging and limit proliferation. Consequently, telomere length dynamics influence the normal development of all animals as well as in situations where development goes awry as in cancer. Telomere lengths also play a role in the regulation of gene expression. This project aims to optimise telomeric sequencing and be the first to measure telomere length with base-pair resolution for individual chromosomes in individual organisms.
Current tools for estimating telomere length from sequencing data report an average over all the chromosomes present and do not have the resolution we seek. By combining a novel telomere purification technique, newer DNA sequencing technologies and advanced statistical analysis, we will measure precise, chromosome-specific telomere lengths. We will initially develop our technique in the nematode worm, C. elegans. This will generate the first known maps of high-resolution telomere length dynamics during animal development and will be used to test different biological models of how telomere-binding proteins control length homeostasis. However, this technique should be widely applicable and could be used to analyse human cancer samples.
This requires an interdisciplinary collaboration between groups with biological and statistical expertise. It will be supervised by Dr Helder Ferrera - a biologist whose research group have made several discoveries regarding the telomere biology in model organisms - and Professor Andy Lynch – a statistician/computational biologist whose group developed one of the existing tools for estimating telomere lengths from sequencing data.
This project would suit a quantitively-minded biologist, a computational biologist, or a statistician/mathematician with an interest in molecular biology.
HOW TO APPLY
Application instructions can be found on the EASTBIO website- http://www.eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk/how-apply-0
1) Download and complete the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey.
2) Download and complete the EASTBIO Application Form.
3) Submit an application to St Andrews University through the Online Application Portal
Your online application must include the following documents:
- Completed EASTBIO application form
- 2 References (to be completed on the EASTBIO Reference Form, also found on the EASTBIO website)
- Academic Qualifications
- English Language Qualification (if applicable)
Unfortunately due to workload constraints, we cannot consider incomplete applications. Please make sure your application is complete by the 16th December 2021.
CONTACT
Queries on the project can be directed to the project supervisor.
Queries on the application process can be directed to Jess Fitzgerald at [Email Address Removed]
Please refer to UKRI website and Annex B of the UKRI Training Grant Terms and Conditions
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