PhD Studentship: How Hematopoietic Transcription Factors and Epigenetic Coregulators Shape Gene Regulatory Networks in Immune Cell Development
University of Birmingham
This is a 4-year PhD studentship to join the group of Dr Tianyi Zhang in the Department of Cancer and Genomics Sciences at the University of Birmingham. This is a competition funded PhD through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership and is open to UK, EU, and International students. Project Transcription factors (TFs) and epigenetic coregulators cooperate to drive gene expression programmes that control cellular development. Ikaros is a hematopoietic TF that plays an essential role in the deve...
This is a 4-year PhD studentship to join the group of Dr Tianyi Zhang in the Department of Cancer and Genomics Sciences at the University of Birmingham. This is a competition funded PhD through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership and is open to UK, EU, and International students. Project Transcription factors (TFs) and epigenetic coregulators cooperate to drive gene expression programmes that control cellular development. Ikaros is a hematopoietic TF that plays an essential role in the deve...
Opportunity details
This is a 4-year PhD studentship to join the group of Dr Tianyi Zhang in the Department of Cancer and Genomics Sciences at the University of Birmingham. This is a competition funded PhD through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership and is open to UK, EU, and International students. Project Transcription factors (TFs) and epigenetic coregulators cooperate to drive gene expression programmes that control cellular development. Ikaros is a hematopoietic TF that plays an essential role in the development of B cell and T cells, white blood cells that are crucial for healthy immune function. Ikaros also acts as a tumour suppressor that is highly mutated in progenitor B and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Previous proteomic and functional biochemical studies from the lab have mapped key Ikaros partners, including the NuRD chromatin remodeller and HDAC complex, factors involved in the formation of repressive heterochromatin, SWI/SNF chromatin remodellers, and HAT coactivators. Several of these novel TF-coregulator molecular interfaces have been elucidated, while others remain to be identified. Moreover, mechanisms of how TFs such Ikaros direct the epigenetic activity of different coregulators to genomic targets with spatial-temporal precision during cellular differentiation remains poorly understood. The aim of this PhD programme is to 1) uncover the molecular interfaces that mediate these key interactions 2) dissect how Ikaros partners with epigenetic coregulators to shape the chromatin landscape and gene regulatory networks 3) determine the impact of different Ikaros mutants in immune cell development in an vivo zebrafish model. This research project will reveal the molecular workings of a key driver of immune cell development, and in later years ex...
Eligibility
Applicants should have a first-class or upper second-class honours undergraduate degree, a Master’s degree and/or relevant research experience in areas including biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics and bioinformatics. Proven research track record appropriate to career stage, strong analytical ability, communication skills and enthusiasm for collaborative research is essential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive research community, and welcome applications from talented candidates from all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background. To Apply: Informal enquires with CV should be made to Dr Tianyi Zhang (t.zhang.9@bham.ac.uk) Application link for this project: https://admissions.bham.ac.uk/applicant-home/applications/courses/coursedetails/?programmeid=b3dfb4b3-6c66-ed11-9561-0022481b5835 Guidance on application: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/college-of-life-and-environmental-sciences/midlands-integrative-biosciences-training-partnership Funding notes: This is a competition funded PhD through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership and open to UK, EU, and International students.
Requirements
Applicants should have a first-class or upper second-class honours undergraduate degree, a Master’s degree and/or relevant research experience in areas including biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics and bioinformatics. Proven research track record appropriate to career stage, strong analytical ability, communication skills and enthusiasm for collaborative research is essential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive research community, and welcome applications from talented candidates from all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background. To Apply: Informal enquires with CV should be made to Dr Tianyi Zhang (t.zhang.9@bham.ac.uk) Application link for this project: https://admissions.bham.ac.uk/applicant-home/applications/courses/coursedetails/?programmeid=b3dfb4b3-6c66-ed11-9561-0022481b5835 Guidance on application: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/college-of-life-and-environmental-sciences/midlands-integrative-biosciences-training-partnership Funding notes: This is a competition funded PhD through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership and open to UK, EU, and International students.
Funding and benefits
Funding eligibility: UK Students, EU Students, International Students. This is a competition funded PhD through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership and open to UK, EU, and International students. The studentship covers UK tuition fees and a stipend at the standard UKRI rate. International students at the University of Birmingham have the fee difference covered by university funding. Information about funding and the application procedure can be found here: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/college-of-life-and-environmental-sciences/midlands-integrative-biosciences-training-partnership
Required documents
CV
How to apply
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive research community, and welcome applications from talented candidates from all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background. To Apply: Informal enquires with CV should be made to Dr Tianyi Zhang (t.zhang.9@bham.ac.uk) Application link for this project: https://admissions.bham.ac.uk/applicant-home/applications/courses/coursedetails/?programmeid=b3dfb4b3-6c66-ed11-9561-0022481b5835 Guidance on application: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/college-of-life-and-environmental-sciences/midlands-integrative-biosciences-training-partnership Funding notes: This is a competition funded PhD through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership and open to UK, EU, and International students. Information about funding and the application procedure can be found here: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/college-of-life-and-environmental-sciences/midlands-integrative-biosciences-training-partnership
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Benefits
Funding eligibility: UK Students, EU Students, International Students. This is a competition funded PhD through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership and open to UK, EU, and International students. The studentship covers UK tuition fees and a stipend at the standard UKRI rate. International students at the University of Birmingham have the fee difference covered by university funding. Information about funding and the application procedure can be found here: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/college-of-life-and-environmental-sciences/midlands-integrative-biosciences-training-partnership
Eligibility summary
Applicants should have a first-class or upper second-class honours undergraduate degree, a Master’s degree and/or relevant research experience in areas including biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics and bioinformatics. Proven research track record appropriate to career stage, strong analytical ability, communication skills and enthusiasm for collaborative research is essential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive research community, and welcome applications from talented candidates from all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background. To Apply: Informal enquires with CV should be made to Dr Tianyi Zhang (t.zhang.9@bham.ac.uk) Application link for this project: https://admissions.bham.ac.uk/applicant-home/applications/courses/coursedetails/?programmeid=b3dfb4b3-6c66-ed11-9561-0022481b5835 Guidance on application: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/college-of-life-and-environmental-sciences/midlands-integrative-biosciences-training-partnership Funding notes: This is a competition funded PhD through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership and open to UK, EU, and International students.
Requirements
Applicants should have a first-class or upper second-class honours undergraduate degree, a Master’s degree and/or relevant research experience in areas including biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics and bioinformatics. Proven research track record appropriate to career stage, strong analytical ability, communication skills and enthusiasm for collaborative research is essential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive research community, and welcome applications from talented candidates from all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background. To Apply: Informal enquires with CV should be made to Dr Tianyi Zhang (t.zhang.9@bham.ac.uk) Application link for this project: https://admissions.bham.ac.uk/applicant-home/applications/courses/coursedetails/?programmeid=b3dfb4b3-6c66-ed11-9561-0022481b5835 Guidance on application: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/college-of-life-and-environmental-sciences/midlands-integrative-biosciences-training-partnership Funding notes: This is a competition funded PhD through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership and open to UK, EU, and International students.
Documents required
CV
Language/test requirements
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