This fully funded, 4-year PhD project is part of a competition funded by the BBSRC EASTBIO Doctoral Training Partnership.
Homologous recombination (HR) is a highly conserved process leading to the exchange of genetic material between the homologous maternal and paternal chromosomes during meiosis. The produced gametes are genetically distinct from each other and their parents. Animal and crop breeders take advantage of this genetic reassortment to enrich beneficial genes by crossing different varieties or cultivars (and sometimes wild species). This approach can improve hardiness, yield, or other desired traits without the need for identification of those beneficial genes and laboratory-manipulated genetic modification. However, a major genetic barrier to the breeding process is the extremely low recombination frequency in many regions of chromosomes. For example in barley, meiotic recombination events along chromosomes are highly uneven, mainly taking place in the chromosome ends regions. As a result, large sections of chromosomes, carrying 20-30% of the barley genes, rarely recombine—in effect “locking up” many agronomically important genes. More seriously, genes of interest are often genetically linked to other less desirable alleles. Therefore, a key issue for animal and crop breeders is how to improve recombination frequency and break undesirable linkages. We have revealed that genetic modification of Exo1, a key resection protein for homologous recombination, offers the potential to increase recombination frequency in “locked up” regions of barley chromosomes. This project will investigate the regulation of Exo1 function at a molecular level using the budding yeast as a model organism. Then this mechanism will be explored in barley. This knowledge will guide the design of Exo1 alleles which can improve barley recombination and be used as a genetic tool for barley breeding.
This project exploits a pioneering approach to answer the important question of how cells regulate meiotic recombination, by investigating the regulation of Exo1 in yeast and barley. As a member of a new research team, the student will benefit from individual attention, but also from the support of an extended group of laboratories at the Institute of Medical Sciences with considerable expertise in studying chromosome maintenance using yeast molecular genetics. The student will explore his/her knowledge to crop science with the supervision of Dr Colas from the James Hutton Institute.
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ELIGIBILITY:
- Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject. Those with a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered, provided they have (or are expected to achieve) a Distinction or Commendation at master’s level.
- All students must meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the UKRI guidance on UK, EU and international candidates. This guidance should be read in conjunction with the UKRI Training Grant Terms and Conditions, esp. TGC 5.2 & Annex B.
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APPLICATION PROCEUDRE:
- Please visit this page for full application information: How to apply | eastbio (eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk)
- Please send your completed EASTBIO application form, along with academic transcripts to Alison Innes at: [Email Address Removed]
- Two references should be provided by the deadline using the EASTBIO reference form. References should be sent to [Email Address Removed]
- Unfortunately, due to workload constraints, we cannot consider incomplete applications.
- CV's submitted directly through a FindAPhD enquiry WILL NOT be considered.
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