MSc by Research: Investigation of coordination of cell divisions during early embryonic development at University of Dundee on FindAPhD.com

Prof C J Weijer Applications accepted all year round Self-Funded PhD Students Only

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Dundee United Kingdom Artificial Intelligence Cell Biology Developmental Biology

School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee

About the Project

Gastrulation is an essential process in early development, during which the forming ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm take up their correct positions in the embryo. We investigate the how a few key cell behaviours mediate gastrulation in the early chick embryo, a widely used model for early human embryonic development. Gastrulation requires a precise coordination of cell division, cell differentiation, ingression and cell movement [1]. We study how these key cell behaviours are controlled by mechanical and chemical cell-cell signalling. To study these cell behaviours in-vivo we have developed a dedicated lightsheet microscope that allows us to see all cells in embryos of transgenic chick lines where components of the actin myosin cytoskeleton and nuclei are labelled with different fluorescent proteins. We locally or globally perturb chemical and mechanical signalling pathways that alter critical cell behaviours and study the effects on gastrulation [2, 3]. In this project we aim to analyse the detailed patterns of cell divisions during early development and through specific perturbations investigate the roles they play in the control of embryonic tissue development and morphogenesis. Our research is highly interdisciplinary, besides state of the art cellular and molecular biology approaches we make extensive use of advanced large scale computational (some AI based) image processing as well as modelling techniques [4]. Therefore, this project will offer the opportunity to perform research in a highly competitive, interdisciplinary environment.

Please see our website for further details on the programme:

Life Sciences MSc by Research MSc by Research (Postgraduate) : Study : University of Dundee

Please note before submitting your application that you must list your top three project choices in the Research Proposal section of the application form.

You apply for this course using our Direct Application System. Once you've signed up for an account you'll be asked to search for a course.

https://www.dundee.ac.uk/study/pgr/research-areas/life-sciences/

To find Life Science MSc by Research you should select the following options:

· Course type: Research Postgraduate

· Keyword: Life

When you complete your form, you should include your top 3 project choices, 2 letters of reference, uploaded under "Other Information" > "Supporting documents" and a personal statement. Failure to do so will delay your application.

Please note when submitting an application, please note our intake deadlines on the ‘how to apply’ section of our website.

References

1. Serrano Najera, G. and C.J. Weijer, Cellular processes driving gastrulation in the avian embryo. Mech Dev, 2020. 163: p. 103624.
2. Rozbicki, E., et al., Myosin-II-mediated cell shape changes and cell intercalation contribute to primitive streak formation. Nat Cell Biol, 2015. 17(4): p. 397-408.
3. Manli Chuai et al. Reconstruction of distinct vertebrate gastrulation modes via modulation of key cell behaviors in the chick embryo, 2023. Sci. Adv.9, eabn5429 (2023). DOI:10.1126/sciadv.abn5429
4. Serra, M., et al., Dynamic morphoskeletons in development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2020. 117(21): p. 11444-11449.

Where will I study?

University of Dundee

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