Drosophila, transcription, transcription factors, gene expression - Determining the molecular mechanisms that the Groucho co-repressor protein uses to regulate RNA polymerase activity

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Department of Biological and Medical Sciences

This is a competitive 3 year Full Time PhD project


Research project title - Drosophila, transcription, transcription factors, gene expression


Eligibility: Only open to UK/EU applicants (who must be permanently resident in UK/EU)


Closing date: 16th December 2016 (12 midnight UK time)


Start date: 18th September 2017


Bursary: £14296 pa for academic year 2017/18 & fees


Main supervisor Dr Barbara Jennings


Requirements

Applicants should be of the highest quality and capable of submitting a PhD thesis within 3 years. Applicants should have a first class or upper second class (minimum 2.1) honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or an acceptable equivalent qualification.

EU Applicants additional requirement for English language
A valid IELTS Academic test certificate minimum score level 6 in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking with overall minimum score 7.0 issued since 23rd April 2015 by an approved test centre.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491093/2016-01-11_-Approved_Secure_English_Language_Tests_and_Test_Centres_-_Website.pdf

Exceptionally we are prepared to consider alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability.



Description of project:

Failure of correct gene regulation during foetal development usually results in death or severe congenital defects, and in adult life leads to disease including cancer. Transcription factors play a critical role in controlling gene expression during development and disease. We have recently established that the Drosophila Groucho protein, which is conserved in humans and acts as a co-factor for many different transcription factors, inhibits transcription elongation by promoting RNA polymerase pausing shortly after transcription initiation (Kaul et al., PLOS Genetics. 2014. 10(8):e1004595). The aim of this project is to determine the molecular mechanisms that the Groucho co-repressor protein uses to regulate RNA polymerase activity. The central questions are: Which factors are involved? How do these factors interact with each other and RNA polymerase? The experimental approach will include a broad variety of techniques including molecular biology, Drosophila genetics, immunohistochemistry, light and confocal microscopy to investigate Groucho function in regulating transcription elongation.


For further information about the research project only please contact to Dr Barbara Jennings
e-mail address [Email Address Removed]
 

How to apply


Download application from

http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc

With application enclose a CV and scanned copy of your degree certificates and transcripts plus two signed academic references. Additionally if appropriate an IELTS Academic test certificate from an approved test centre.

Applications only accepted by e-mail [Email Address Removed]


PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MUST NOT SUBMIT ANY APPLICATION,CV or QUERIES VIA FINDAPHD