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(BBSRC NWD) Mathematical modelling of asymmetric cell division: Understanding biological mechanisms essential for the development and maintenance of healthy tissue

Funding
Funded
Study mode
Full-time
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Start date
Subject area
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
How to apply
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Overview

The proper control of asymmetric cell division is essential to producing and maintaining healthy organisms. This project focus is on understanding mechanisms controlling asymmetric cell division. The successful student will be specialising in mathematical biology and applied mathematics. The student will build and solve mathematical models which will be used to generate hypotheses regarding the mechanisms controlling asymmetric cell division. Modelling hypotheses will be tested in a wet lab.

About this opportunity

Background biology

Asymmetric cell division, is the process by which proteins, mRNAs and organelles, are shared unevenly between mother and daughter cells. Two examples of the importance of asymmetric cell division; correct embryonic development where a cell divides asymmetrically to generate two cells destined to become different cell types; the maintenance of stem cell pools in mature organisms, pools which are used for tissue maintenance and repair. Dysregulation of asymmetric cell division in either of these examples can lead to developmental disorders or disease.

Training in mathematics and scientific programming

The student will be taught how to build differential equation models which describe biological processes of interest. As most models are too complex to solve analytically, the student will be trained in scientific programming and taught how to program their own numerical solvers. As the focus of the project is asymmetric cell division, to understand mechanisms controlling asymmetric cell division the student will solve their equations within a virtual growing and dividing cell, which they will be trained to code themselves. The student will also be trained in techniques such as, parameter fitting, data visualisation, statistics for results and data interpretation, and using their models to design wet lab experiments.

Training in a wet lab (optional)

The student will use their models to generate modelling hypotheses and design experiments. The student will be given the opportunity to train in the lab and undertake a mini project designed to test their modelling hypotheses.

Scientific outcomes of the project

Address unanswered questions regarding the mechanistic control of asymmetric cell division, publish the results in an interdisciplinary manuscript containing modelling hypotheses and experimental validation. Generate and publish tools for use within the mathematical biology community, namely publish code to solve ordinary differential equations within growing and dividing cells. The code will be of use to any group interested in modelling processing within a dynamic cell environment.

Further reading

[1] Savage, N. (2021). Describing the movement of molecules in reduced-dimension models. https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-021-02200-3
[2] A mathematical model integrates diverging PXY and MP interactions in cambium development. Bagdassarian, K. … (2023) https://academic.oup.com/insilicoplants/article/5/1/diad003/7047094?login=true
[3] Mills, H. … (2024) A theoretical investigation provides an integrated understanding of the complex regulatory network controlling Arabidopsis root hair patterning. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2412.11338v2
[4] Molecular Basis of the biogenesis of a protein organelle for ethanolamine utilization. Yang, M. … (2024) https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.05.17.594633v1
[5] Translation factor and RNA binding protein mRNA interactomes support broader RNA regulons for posttranscriptional control. Kershaw CJ, … (2023) J https://www.jbc.org/article/S0021-9258(23)02223-8/fulltext

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Who is this for?

Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a minimum Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, engineering or technology.

International applicants

We are only able to offer a limited number of full studentships to applicants outside the UK. Therefore, full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality international candidates due to the competitive nature of this scheme.

International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) before applying. Visit our English Language requirements page to find out more.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Liverpool, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on our website.

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How to apply

  1. 1. Contact supervisors

    The student’s primary supervisor will be Natasha Savage, University of Liverpool. www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/natasha-savage. Natasha encourages anybody thinking of applying for the PhD to contact her with any questions, or for an informal chat.

    The wet lab work will be performed in the Ashe Lab, run by Mark Ashe, University of Manchester. https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/mark.p.ashe.

  2. 2. Prepare your application documents

    Browse our BBSRC NWD in Bioscience projects and discover one you’re passionate about that matches your interests, ambitions and goals.

    Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.

    How to Apply

    All applications should be submitted through the University of Manchester application portal.

    Apply directly via this link, and select BBSRC DTP PhD as the programme of study. You may apply for up to two projects from the programme via this scheme. To do so, submit a single online application listing both project titles and the names of both main supervisors in the relevant sections.

    Please ensure that your application includes all required supporting documents:

    • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • Supporting Statement
    • Academic Certificates and Transcripts

    Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

    Applications should not be made through the University of Liverpool’s application portal.

    You must submit your application form along with the required supporting documents by the deadline date. You can select up to two projects on one single application, noting the title of each project from the advert and the supervisor name. This can include two projects from one institution or a project from each institution.

    Once you have completed your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email.

    Deadline: Sunday 7th December, midnight (UK time)

    Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

    If you need help with this stage of the process, or have any queries regarding your eligibility (such as if you achieved unexpectedly low degree results due to extenuating circumstances), please contact the Liverpool BBSRC team for advice at 

  3. 3. Apply

    Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

    Once you have applied through the University of Manchester portal, and if you are successfully offered a studentship following a formal interview, you will be instructed to apply formally through the University of Liverpool. You must only do this once you have been instructed to do so.

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Funding your PhD

These studentships are available to UK and international applicants, and provide funding for tuition fees and stipend at the UKRI rate, subject to eligibility, for four years. This does not include any costs associated with relocation. This scheme is open to both UK and international applicants.

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Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Liverpool BBSRC team
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