Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Department of Biomedical and Medical Sciences
3 Year, full-time PhD studentship
Project title: Size matters - how temperature affects Drosophila eye development and vision
Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU
Closing date: 25 June 2021
Start date: September 2021
Bursary p.a.: Bursary equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend plus fees (2021/22 bursary rate is £15, 609)
University fees and bench fees at the Home rate will be met by the University for the 3 years of the Studentship.
Supervisors: Maike Kittelmann, Casper J Breuker, Daniela Santos Nunes
Project: Given the rapid changes in habitats and climate it is becoming increasingly important to understand if and how species can adapt and evolve. The role of thermal plasticity in adaptation is especially relevant to insects, which generally have smaller bodies at higher temperatures. However sensory organs such as compound eyes can respond independently to changes in temperature due to the direct impact of size on their function. We have identified Drosophila strains that show significant differences in eye size plasticity in response to higher temperatures, ranging from 3% to 30% reduction in absolute eye size. This project will utilise population genetics, molecular biology, advanced 3D imaging and morphometric analysis to understand how temperature affects Drosophila eye development and morphology, genetically map eye size plasticity and model how morphological adaptations affect Drosophila vision.
The successful applicant will receive training in Drosophila genetics, genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9, developmental biology and a range of bioimaging techniques.
For informal inquiries and additional information about the project and the application process please contact Dr Maike Kittelmann: [Email Address Removed]
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