This project is part of the DPhil in Biology at the University of Oxford
Viral evolution, cross-species transmissions, and the evolution of host/virus interactions, can all be addressed via the discipline of paleovirology. This field uses data from viral ‘genomic fossils’, either computationally or experimentally, to address fundamental questions in virology. The human genome is littered with the remnants of ancient retroviral infections, which make up approximately 5% of our genomes, a substantially larger proportion than is occupied by protein coding genes.
This pattern holds throughout the vertebrates, with vertebrate genomes constituting a rich fossil record of ancient viral infections. Other viruses can also occasionally form such genomic fossils, albeit more rarely – recently we have shown that all known viral replication strategies are represented within animal genomes. The vast quantities of data made available as a result of genome scale sequencing projects has greatly facilitated progress in a field that is becoming known as paleovirology.
This project will use genome scale sequence data to study the evolutionary biology of viruses and address questions such as, for example, why are certain viruses more prone to crossing species boundaries causing novel emergent infections, and what is the extent and role of integrated viral sequences in animal evolution. Projects can range from exclusively computational to exclusively laboratory based, or a mixture of computational analytical methods and laboratory techniques, and can be discussed with the supervisor.
This project is part of the Microbiology & Infectious Disease theme in the Department of Biology.
Funding
This project is part of the DPhil in Biology programme, and is not a funded course at the University of Oxford, as such, students are expected to explore options for funding. However, we anticipate being able to offer around 6 full graduate scholarships to incoming DPhil Students in 2023-24
You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by 20 January 2023. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and potential to excel as a DPhil student.
For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit the University’s dedicated Funding pages.
Eligibility
For full entry requirements and eligibility information, please see the main admissions page.
How to apply
The deadline for applications for 2023-2024 entry is midday 20 January 2023. We will continue to accept applications submitted after 20 January 2023, but these late applications will not be considered for scholarship funding.
You can find the admissions portal and further information about eligibility and the DPhil in Biology Programme at the University's graduate admissions page.
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