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  MSc by Research: Molecular Analysis of Nuclear Bodies and RNP Trafficking Pathways in the Cell Nucleus


   School of Life Sciences

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  Prof A I Lamond  Applications accepted all year round  Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

Many important processes within mammalian cells are compartmentalised within specific subcellular structures. In the cell nucleus, Nuclear Bodies (NBs), such as nucleoli, provide specialised compartments that are not surrounded by membranes, but still concentrate specific proteins and RNAs. The number and morphology of NBs varies according to cell type, cell physiology and growth state. NBs are also frequently altered in cells with mutations causing inherited genetic disorders and change when cells respond to stress, or disease mechanisms, including viral infection and cancer. NBs can assemble and disassemble, both in interphase and during mitosis, and their component molecules continually traffic through them. Therefore, the appearance of NBs detected by microscopy represents a steady state image of dynamic structures. Importantly, the size, morphology and molecular composition of NBs can rapidly change in response to perturbations and variation in the cell environment.  

Despite the major functional importance and clinical relevance of the processes of ribosome subunit biogenesis and pre-mRNA splicing, we still lack a detailed understanding of how these processes take place within the cell nucleus, including how the assembly of both the rRNA and pre-mRNA processing machineries are compartmentalised within the different NB structures that are detected by microscopy. This project is designed to improve our mechanistic understanding of these important structure-function relationships in the cell nucleus. We have identified small molecule chemical tools, which we term, ‘NB modulators’ (NBMs), that alter the structure and composition of specific NBs, including nucleoli, speckles and CBs. We will use these chemical modulators, in conjunction with high resolution electron microscopy, light microscopy and poly-omics assays, to characterise in detail how the structures and properties of NBs are affected by NBMs.  

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. 

Biological Sciences (4)

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 About the Project