BBSRC SWBio DTP PhD studentship: Modelling chromatin topography to understand gene expression

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP) which is a BBSRC-funded PhD training programme in the biosciences, delivered by a consortium comprising the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter, along with the Rothamsted Research Institute. 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 September/October 2017.

All SWBio DTP projects will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team of academic staff and follow a structured training 4-year PhD model.

Supervisors for this project:

Main supervisor: Dr Adele Murrell, Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM), Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath
Second supervisor: Dr Kit Yates, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath
Others in supervisory team: Dr Adderrahmane Kaidi, Nuclear Dynamics Laboratory, School of Cell and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol; Dr Keith Vance, University of Bath
Collaborators: Dr Peter Fraser, Nuclear Dynamics Group, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge

Project description:

The DNA within the nucleus needs to be folded around nucleosomes which are then further folded and packed into the nuclear space. This folding is highly structured and yet flexible enough to enable the reorganisation within the nucleus as cells divide. These dynamic, responsive alterations in the nuclear structure involve multi-layered changes in a set of epigenetic marks including DNA methylation and post translational histone modifications. They underlie the mechanism of gene expression programmes. This is commonly referred to as an ‘epigenetic landscape. In order to unravel the interplay between combinatorial epigenetic marks and the resultant transcriptional outcomes we intend to develop a mathematical framework and corresponding computational tools to infer chromatin conformation structures within the nucleus. The data sets that we will use will be large-scale ‘omic data sets for human epigenetic profiles (including DNA methylation, histone modifications and chromatin conformation capture) as well as state-of-the art imaging technologies. The ultimate aim of this project is to develop models to predict how epigenetic changes influence chromatin topology and how this correlates with gene expression changes.

Applicants must 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 an appropriate area of science or technology. In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in SWBio DTP projects, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths (or an equivalent qualification or experience) is required.