This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP).
The DTP offers an interdisciplinary research training programme delivered by a consortium comprising the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Exeter, Cardiff University and Rothamsted Research, alongside six regional associate partners: Marine Biological Association, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Swansea University, UCB Pharma, University of the West of England and SETsquared Bristol. The partnership has a strong track record in advancing knowledge through high quality research and teaching, in collaboration with industry and government.
Studentships are available for entry in October 2022.
All SWBio DTP projects will follow a structured 4-year PhD programme, combining traditional project-focussed studies with a taught first year which includes directed rotation projects.
Supervisory Team:
Lead supervisors: Dr Hans-Wilhelm Nützmann, University of Bath, Department of Biology & Biochemistry (email: [Email Address Removed]) & Prof Keith Edwards, University of Bristol (email: [Email Address Removed])
Co-supervisor(s): Dr Gary Barker (University of Bristol) and Prof Adele Murrell (University of Bath)
Collaborator:
Prof Julie King (University of Nottingham)
The Project:
Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is the source of 20% of all calories consumed worldwide. Understanding its biology and genetics is essential in developing a sustainable and productive agricultural landscape. Modern bread wheat derived from the hybridisation of the two cereal species (Aegilops tauschii and Triticum turgidum) approximately 10,000 years ago. The limited number of individuals involved in this hybridization, and subsequent inbreeding, mean that bread wheat has reduced levels of genetic diversity. This lack of diversity diminishes the ability of breeders to create cultivars able to respond to present and future environmental challenges. Introgression, the transfer of genetic material between related species, has been successfully exploited in breeding programs to overcome this bottleneck and expand the diversity of the bread wheat genome and to introduce agronomically beneficial traits. But how are introgressed genetic elements adapting to the host genome and why are some introgressions retained and others removed from the genome? These are the questions at the heart of this PhD project that combines functional wheat genomics with chromatin genetics and bioinformatics to provide a cutting-edge training experience for the next generation plant scientists.
As part of the project, the student will initially characterise the transcriptional activity of introgressions in established and newly created wheat accessions by RNA sequencing. Next, DNA methylation and histone H3K27me3 markings will be analysed by bisulfite sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Both epigenetic modifications are important mediators in the control of foreign genetic elements. These analyses will be accompanied by Hi-C experiments to study the integration of the introgressed segment into the 3D genome of the host. Together, these analyses will enable the student to define shared pattern in the genetic adaptation of introgressed segments. To analyse and evaluate the generated large-scale datasets the student will be trained in the application of advanced bioinformatic analysis pipelines of high-throughput data and in essential coding skills.
The doctoral researcher will be based at the newly established Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath and integrated into the wheat genomics group in Bristol and the BBSRC strategic programme ‘Designing Future Wheat’. A collaboration with the University of Nottingham will enable the student to visit the lab of Julie King and gain hands-on experience on wheat genetic manipulation. We are looking for an applicant who is curious to understand the fundamental biology behind a key technology in the modern breeding process.
Requirements:
Applicants should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in a relevant subject. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Master’s degree or have significant relevant non-academic experience.
In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in our projects, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths or an equivalent qualification/experience* is required.
* Physics A-level (grade B and above) or units in your degree with a significant mathematical component, e.g. maths, statistics, bioinformatics.
Applicants must ensure they highlight their Maths background within their application and upload any supporting evidence.
If English is not your first language, you will need to have achieved Academic IELTS 6.5 overall (with no less than 6.5 in any of the four skills). Find details of other acceptable tests and further information on our website.
Enquiries and Applications:
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to the lead supervisors.
Formal applications should be submitted on the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Biosciences.
When completing the form, please identify your application as being for the SWBio DTP studentship competition in Section 3 Finance (question 2) and quote the project title and lead supervisor’s name in the ‘Your research interests’ section. You may apply for more than one project within the same application, but you should upload a separate (clearly labelled) personal statement for each one, outlining your interest and suitability for that particular project.
See our website for more information about applying for a PhD at Bath.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
We want to support diverse and inclusive work environments. We therefore welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender or disability status.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
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