Evolutionary and epigenetic interactions between transposable elements and their plant hosts

The Bousios lab is looking for a PhD student to study the impact of transposable elements (TEs) in the function and evolution of plant genomes. TEs represent the most abundant component of eukaryotic genomes, and especially in plants they can occupy up to 80-90% of their genomic content. TE activity can be deleterious for the host, because it can cause chromosomes to break or because new copies can insert within genes and disrupt their function. As a result, hosts have developed epigenetic defence mechanisms to suppress TE activity, although given the abundance of TEs, these mechanisms are not always successful.

By focusing on maize but also other fully-sequenced plant genomes, and mostly using in silico approaches, the candidate will attempt to shed light on the very first steps of TE silencing, i.e. how epigenetic defences recognize the mRNA of active TEs. We hypothesize that specific regions of complex structure on the TE may play a crucial role in this process, and, hence, are the foci of an ongoing evolutionary battle between TEs and hosts. In addition, the candidate will study the extent to which TEs positively influence gene function after they become obsolete, by ‘lending’ some of their cis-acting sequences to the host regulatory system. This process, known as TE exaptation or co-option, is poorly understood in plants.

For an overview of our research, please visit http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/bousioslab/

How to apply:
Please submit a formal application using our online application system at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply, including a CV, degree transcripts and certificates, statement of interest (must include the supervisor’s name and the project title) and names of two academic referees. Choose PhD Biology as your Programme of Study.

For enquiries about the application process contact Anna Izykowska ([Email Address Removed]).
For enquiries about the project contact Alexandros Bousios ([Email Address Removed]).

Ideal candidates will have a solid background in bioinformatics or computational biology, while a good understanding of epigenetics, genome evolution or transposable element biology is desirable. You will have recently received an MSc and/or a First or high 2:1 BSc in a relevant subject. Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section.