BBSRC SWBio DTP PhD studentship: The role of the gut microbiome in Zebra fish development

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 2018.

All SWBio DTP projects will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team of academic staff and follow a structured 4-year PhD model, combining traditional project-focussed studies with a supporting but focussed taught first year with directed rotation projects.

Supervisory team:
Main supervisor: Dr Andrew Preston (University of Bath)
Co-supervisors: Prof Robert Kelsh (University of Bath), Dr Susanne Gebhard (University of Bath), Dr Ben Adams (University of Bath)

Microbiome-host interactions is one of the hot-topic areas in biomedical research. There is intense interest in the interplay between animals and their resident microbiota, with particular emphasis on health and disease. Zebrafish are important model organisms for the study of a wide range of fundamental processes including development and genetic diseases. A number of recent studies have revealed important interactions between the zebrafish gut microbiome and aspects of gut homeostasis and developmental pathways, demonstrating the importance of the gut microbiome in zebrafish biology.

This project will utilise the newly refurbished and expanded zebrafish facility at Bath, along with the expertise of the Kelsh group in zebrafish biology in a novel collaboration with Drs Preston, Gebhard and Adams. This project will characterise the gut microbiome of the Bath zebrafish facility and use this information to produce different gut microbiomes with altered functions. The effect of these perturbations on zebrafish embryo development and function will be analysed to establish direct cause and effect associations.

The project will develop an important new model to investigate the role of microbiome bacteria in the physiology of a complex host animal. Findings from this project will be informative for the understanding of fundamental processes such as development and for investigating complex disease phenotypes for which there is compelling evidence for pivotal roles for gut microbiomes. Zebrafish provide a genetically manipulatable host for which it is possible to strictly control the microbial environment. The ability to regulate the zebrafish microbiome in a range of genetic backgrounds promises the opportunity to systematically dissect the host-microbiome interaction and investigate cause-and-effect interactions that have proved very difficult in other complex microbiome models such as mice.

This project will provide multidisciplinary, broad training using functional genomics (including bioinformatics), molecular microbiology, cell and developmental biology and mathematical modelling, receiving expert training in each of these areas, while studying one of the most exciting areas in biomedical research.

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.

Candidates should apply using the University of Bath’s online application form selecting PhD programme in Biosciences (full-time) https://www.bath.ac.uk/study/pg/applications.pl#bio-sci./

For more information, please see: http://www.bath.ac.uk/science/postgraduate-study/research-programmes/funding/bbsrc-phds/