PhD Studentship: Integrative Bioinformatics Approaches for The Identification of Novel Targets and Therapeutics for Cell Cycle Changes and Cell Death

We are looking for a PhD candidate with a passion to combine bioinformatics and computational biology, as well as next-generation sequencing and high-throughput 'omic technologies, to target cells and their development.

This project focuses on using integrative bioinformatics approaches and next-generation sequencing technologies to develop an in-silico framework for the identification of new targets (genes and proteins), as well as potential novel therapies that target cell cycle changes (cellular oscillation), cell plasticity, and cell apoptosis. Cell growth and invasion is a fundamental mechanism of many diseases, and plays a key role in other notable cell changes such as ageing. By investigating genetic and protein changes at different points of the cell cycle, we can identify how these different molecules are active at different stages of the cycle, and how they change during cell development. This has wide-reaching applications, as it can lead to the identification of potential markers that can be targeted at specific stages of cell development, changes related to ageing or to specific disease, and changes that should be targeted to prevent cell death.

The first axis of the project involves the development of a large-scale repository of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) data and spatial transcriptomic data, and high-throughput ‘omic technologies (whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing). In particular, the project will focus on single-cell sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics, to probe genetic changes at a cellular level, using data from several large-scale scRNAseq repositories. The second axis of the project focuses on 3D protein information and protein interaction data pertaining to cell-cycle oscillations and cell death. This work will also involve using high-throughput drug docking and molecular-dynamics simulations of protein-drug interactions. Both axes of the project will allow the candidate to develop an in-silico pipeline for rapid identification of potential therapeutics against genetic and proteins targets involved in cell death.

The full project description can be found here:
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/phd/supervisors/dgendoo/

Please reach out to Dr Gendoo by email at (d.gendoo@bham.ac.uk) for an informal discussion prior to applying.
Application Deadline: 16th January 2025

Full eligibility criteria and instructions on how to apply can be found here:
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/phd/application/

Funding notes:

This studentship is available and funded via the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP) Doctoral Training programme. The MIBTP studentship offer a comprehensive support package, including fees (the cost of the UK fee rate), a tax-free annual stipend, a travel and conference budget, and a generous consumables budget.

Information on the MIBTP DTP programme - https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/

Birmingham MIBTP page - https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/mibtp

References:

Kime, L., Vincent, H., Gendoo, D. et al. The First Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Members of the Ribonuclease E Family. Sci Rep 5, 8028 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep08028

Advert information