Some animals, particularly those with large genomes, contain an extraordinary number of copies of viral and bacterial sequences in their chromosomes, which appear to have been accumulated over a period of many millions of years [1]. These sequences can provide information about the history of infection over these vast evolutionary time scales. Until recently the very largest genomes, which have the most comprehensive collections of these preserved sequences, could only be analysed using specialised statistical methods, including those developed in our laboratory [2]. However, it is now possible to exploit the latest long-read sequencing technology to find the sequences hidden in these genomes much more easily, to work out the number of copies, and how their sequence differs. This new opportunity is rather like the situation in which a geologist finds a new deposit of fossil-bearing rock, opening up the promise of new scientific discoveries.
The project will be directed at a species with one of the largest known insect genomes: Podisma pedestris. We already have pilot data indicating that there are thousands of copies of the genome of the Wolbachia bacterium ‘fossilised’ in its chromosomes. The Wolbachia bacterium is one of the most widespread infections of arthropods, and has an extraordinary effect on its host, manipulating its reproductive system so that infected females are more likely to contribute to the next generation, and so pass on the bacterium [3]. By generating genomic data from different individuals from different populations, and different insect species, the student will be able to answer open questions about the history of these infections: do different isolated populations of the same species build up different associations with different Wolbachia strains ? How frequently does the infection jump between different species ? Does the infection drive the spread of associated mitochondrial strains ? This work will also provide a number of opportunities to ask broader questions about evolutionary processes which have been another focus of our lab, including the rates of different sorts of mutation [4] and how they shape the genome.
The successful applicant will enter a research group with a broad spread of interests, under the supervision of Prof. Richard Nichols. The student will benefit from discussions with his 4 PhD students and 1 PDRA, working on subjects ranging from the genetics of plant resistance to invasive fungi to human genetic disease.The department is well equipped to carry out the proposed research with world-class facilities in genomics and computational biology, which the student will be trained in. Prof. Nichols has an outstanding record of PhD student supervision with all 23 students having successfully graduated, of whom four have already become university professors.
For research details see https://www.seresearch.qmul.ac.uk/cbs/people/rnichols/
Find out more about the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences on our website.
We are looking for candidates to have or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a Master’s degree in an area relevant to the project such as agriculture, biology, microbiology, etc.
Knowledge of molecular biology, microbiology, or computational biology is desirable, but not essential.
You must meet the IELTS requirements for your course and upload evidence before CSC’s application deadline, ideally by 1st March 2025. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible, where your IELTS test must still be valid when you enrol for the programme.
Please find further details on our English Language requirements page.
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 29th January 2025 for consideration. Please identify yourself as a ‘CSC Scholar’ in the funding section of the application.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
Find out more about our application process on our SBBS website.
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Prof Richard Nichols AT r.a.nichols@qmul.ac.uk Admissions-related queries can be sent to sbbs-pgadmissions@qmul.ac.uk
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your QMUL application, then you will be issued an QMUL Offer Letter, conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements.
Once applicants have obtained their QMUL Offer Letter, they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship with the support of the supervisor.
For further information, please go to the QMUL China Scholarship Council webpage.
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