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Faculty of Arts and Sciences Graduate Teaching Assistantships
Biology
The Biology Department has a vibrant research community across a broad range of
fields. Recent multimillion pound investment in cutting edge research facilities and
equipment housed in the new ‘Tech Hub’ supports our world class research in
microbial ecology, molecular biology, dermatogenetics, embryology and evolution.
This, coupled with our long standing expertise in field based ecology for sustainable
management and conservation, brings together researchers across the breadth of the
biological discipline.
Research proposals are invited on the following topics. You must contact the
supervisors to discuss potential projects prior to any application:
Dr Katja Martina Eckl, [email protected]
 In-vivo safety studies for a new drug for autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis
(ARCI) in CD-1 outbred mice. After successful proof-of-concept studies, the topical
protein replacement drug has now passed all in-vitro cell-based safety tests.
Applicants must hold a personal Home Office Licence.
 The role of p63 in melanocyte development and skin integrity, an iPSC project to
study melanocyte differentiation in diseased and healthy iPSC lines.
Dr. Lorena Fernández-Martínez, [email protected]
 Identification of new antibiotic clusters from actinomycetes using genome
sequencing. Studying the regulation of these clusters using the latest molecular
tools for actinomycetes in order to increase their yield, a key step in the
development of new antibiotics.
 Characterisation
of
genes/gene
clusters
of
unknown
function
from Streptomyces coelicolor. Using the latest molecular tools to genetically
manipulate actinomycetes you will try to understand the function of these PCS in
the context of antibiotic production and/or the complex developmental life cycle.
Dr André Antunes. [email protected]
 Microbial ecology of extreme environments in the UK (potential targets include
e.g. the salt mines in Winsford and Boulby, and the brine springs in Cheshire)
 Bioprospection of New Microbial Strains from Extreme Environments in the UK
(for e.g. production of bioplastics, biofuel, new enzymes and bioproducts)
 Geomicrobiology: Production of biominerals by microbial strains from coastal
environments and potential industrial applications
Dr Fay Voller, [email protected]
 The ecology of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the British Isles.
Dr Anne Oxbrough, [email protected]
 Sustainable management of biodiversity in forested ecosystems with a focus on
management for ecosystem function, resilience and conversation. Projects
specialising in invertebrate diversity or plants are particularly welcomed.
 Managing saproxylic insects in commercial forest plantations.
Prof Paul Ashton: [email protected]
 Epigenetics and natural plant populations. Epigenetic mutations are changes
to DNA that accrue during an organism’s life cycle that changes to the activity of
a gene without altering its DNA sequence. Widely studied in bacteria and
medicine, epigenetics and its applications have barely been considered in wild
plant populations. This PhD may explore areas such as plant longevity, range
expansion and hybridization. This study will be jointly supervised by Prof Mike
Wilkinson (Aberystwyth University).
 Landscape genetics of High Conservation value Grasslands. Species rich
grasslands typically survive as isolated islands amongst industrial agriculture. This
in turn has led to the establishment of grassland restoration and creation projects.
While success of individual restoration projects has been assessed by measures
such as species diversity or pollinator guild activity, a landscape scale
consideration of connectivity using genetic approaches is novel and will be the aim
of this study.
Dr Clare Strode, [email protected]
 Competitive breeding of UK native and non-native species of container
breeding mosquitoes.
 Adaptations of Aedes invasive mosquitoes to cooler climates.
 Invasive mosquito surveillance.