MSc by Research programme - Functions & Applications of a Novel Stem Cell Signalling Pathway at University of Dundee on FindAPhD.com

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Dr Greg Findlay No more applications being accepted Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Dundee United Kingdom Bioinformatics Cell Biology Genetics

About the Project

The Findlay lab employs cutting-edge technologies to unravel Embryonic Stem (ES) cell signalling networks (e.g. Bustos et al, Developmental Cell 2020; Fernandez-Alonso et al, Nature Communications 2020). Several years ago, we discovered the ERK5 MAP kinase pathway as an exciting new regulator of ES cell pluripotency (Williams et al, Cell Reports 2016; Brown* Williams* et al, in preparation). ERK5 is a unique kinase, encoding both a catalytic domain and a putative transcriptional activation domain. In order to uncover functions of ERK5 in ES cells, this project will deploy global proteomic and phosphoproteomic profiling. Novel ERK5 substrates and transcriptional networks will be characterised using biochemical and ES cell biology approaches, and key signalling pathway dynamics investigated using mathematical modelling in collaboration with Dr. Philip Murray (Division of Mathematics, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee). A further aim is to investigate functions of ERK5 in human patient-derived iPS cell maintenance and lineage-specific differentiation to neurons, cardiomyocytes etc.

The research will be undertaken at the University of Dundee within the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC-PPU), one of the world’s leading centres studying the role of cell signalling in health and disease. Students will have access to state-of-the-art tools to dissect signalling networks, and opportunity for interaction with three major Pharmaceutical companies that collaborate with the MRC-PPU via the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy. The Findlay lab is also affiliated with the Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, which comprises world experts in stem cell research.

Please see our website for further details and how to apply -

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

References

Recent work from the lab can be found in the following references:
Brown HA*, Williams CAC*, Zhou H, Rios-Szwed D, Fernandez-Alonso R, Mansoor S, McMulkin L, Dieguez N, Lizcano JM, Stavridis MP and Findlay GM An ERK5-KLF2 signalling module regulates early embryonic gene expression dynamics and stem cell rejuvenation (in preparation)
Bustos F, Segarra-Fas A, Nardocci G, Cassidy A, Antico O, Brandenburg L, Macartney T, Toth R, Hastie CJ, Gourlay R, Vargese J, Soares R, Montecino M and Findlay GM (2020) Functional diversification of SRSF protein kinase to control ubiquitin-dependent neurodevelopmental signalling. Dev Cell. Oct 10:S1534-5807(20)30757-7. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.09.025. Online ahead of print.
Fernandez-Alonso R, Bustos F, Budzyk M, Kumar P, Helbig AO, Hukelmann J, Lamond AI, Lanner F, Zhou H, Petsalaki E and Findlay GM (2020) Phosphoproteomics Identifies a Bimodal EPHA2 Receptor Switch that Promotes Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation. Nat Commun. 11(1): 1357. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15173-4
Williams, CAC, Fernandez-Alonso, R., Wang, J., Gray, N.S. and Findlay, G.M. (2016) Erk5 is a Key Regulator of Naïve-Primed Transition and Embryonic Stem Cell Identity. Cell Rep. 16(6):1820-8

Where will I study?

University of Dundee

The University of Dundee brings together some of the best researchers in the world, developing ideas that positively impact the physical, social and psychological wellbeing of people and their communities, the economy, and the environment.