【博士招生】伦敦玛丽女王大学(Queen Mary)招2024CSC博士(基因组学，表观遗传组学）

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【博士招生】英国伦敦玛丽女王大学(Queen Mary University of London)招两名2024入学 CSC资助 博士生(生物大类，基因组学，表观遗传学方向)
帮老板招生。
Dr Alexandre de Mendoza Soler 团队招收一名由CSC（国家留学基金委）资助的博士生，Queen Mary University of London的申请截至2024年1月31日。成功后于3月申请CSC。项目1：关于DNA甲基化结合蛋白的进化，链接1
项目2：关于内源化病毒序列对寄生真核生物感染宿主的贡献，链接2。导师邮箱：a.demendozasoler@qmul.ac.uk


【关键信息】

1. Queen Mary申请2024年1月31号截至，CSC申请3月截至。

2.实验室主页：
https://www.demendozalab.com/

3.项目方向：
项目1：Cytosine DNA methylation is one of the most studied epigenetic marks in eukaryotes, with established roles in genome regulation and selfish DNA silencing. Still, we do not fully understand how methylation influences transcription. In part, that limitation is linked to the widespread focus on few highly complex model systems, mostly mammals or plants, with highly complex methylation patterns. In this project we want to fill this gap by understanding the evolution of cytosine methylation “readers”, proteins capable of exclusively binding to methylated cytosines. To this end, we will use comparative genomics and proteomics on multiple eukaryotes with simpler methylation landscapes, occupying key positions in the tree of life.

The proteins identified in the previous approach will be then validated using functional genomics (e.g. DAP-seq, ChIP-seq). This project will reveal how the various gene families that are known to have roles in DNA methylation interpretation evolved, and potentially will discover new proteins with this capacity. Ultimately, understanding how eukaryotic genomes interpret DNA methylation is important to clarify the roles of this epigenetic mark in genome regulation. In turn, these findings will have applications in synthetic biology approaches. Given the key roles DNA methylation has in human disease, including cancer, an evolutionary-informed mechanistic understanding of this epigenetic mark is critical, as the various genes and mechanisms we learn in divergent eukaryotes can be then used to read and interpret our own epigenome.

项目2：Most DNA in the genome of eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus) is transmitted from its ancestors, in a process of vertical inheritance. However, we are beginning to discover that viruses can contribute significant amount of DNA to their hosts, in a process called “endogenization”. The fate of this laterally acquired DNA is uncertain, most of viral DNA will be purged out as it will be either detrimental or neutral for the host. However, some parts of this viral DNA might result advantageous for the host.

In the laboratory we are interested in how gene regulation might play a role in this process of viral DNA domestication by eukaryotic cells. This project will tackle this using a group of protist species parasites of arthropods and fishes, the Ichthyosporeans. The main goal is to address how important are these viral DNA genes to help its host infect another eukaryotic species. This would explain why eukaryotic genomes might encode and carry potentially deadly DNA in their genomes. As such, we will change our current understanding on how parasite-host interactions work, and highlight viruses as a crucial source of genome innovation.

4.大致要求:

Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a masters degree in an area relevant to the project (Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry). A masters degree is desirable, but not essential.

For this PhD, any previous experience on molecular biology work, from cloning to protein purification would be highly benefitial. Furthermore, some basic knowledge of bioinformatics would also be helpful, although we are happy to provide training on this aspect.

5. 语言要求：
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall including 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in Reading, Listening and Speaking.
TOEFL: 92 overall including 21 in Writing, 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking.


详情请见：https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/characterization-of-the-evolution-of-dna-methylation-readers-across-eukaryotes/?p164843
https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/investigating-the-contribution-of-endogenous-viruses-to-the-virulence-of-parasitic-eukaryotes/?p164840