Overview
Why can some animals eat prey that would kill almost any other species? Hedgehogs and their relatives (moles, shrews, and solenodons) can consume toxic prey such as toads, the skin of which contains bufadienolides, chemicals that stop the hearts of most vertebrates. Their survival hints at remarkable evolutionary adaptations, but the mechanisms remain unknown.
About this opportunity
This PhD project will uncover, for the first time, how insect-eating mammals tolerate these toxins. You will investigate the genetic and biochemical basis of resistance, trace how it evolved across different lineages, and assess what it means for predator–prey interactions under environmental change. Beyond Europe, your findings will also shed light on global biodiversity risks, such as the impact of invasive toxic species.
This is an opportunity to explore convergent evolution and biochemical innovation at the molecular level, linking genes, physiology, and ecology in a single integrated framework.
What You Will Do
Your project will integrate laboratory, computational, and ecological approaches to investigate the evolution of toxin resistance at multiple scales:
- Molecular biology and biochemistry: Sequence and characterise candidate genes; test how genetic variants influence protein structure and function through expression and biochemical assays.
- Evolutionary history: Reconstruct ancestral proteins to determine when resistance evolved and whether adaptation followed predictable or novel evolutionary routes.
- Ecological modelling: Map overlaps between toxin-producing amphibians and insectivorous mammals under current and future climates to identify exposure hotspots and invasion risks.
The project connects to wider research on chemical defences, convergent evolution, and adaptation under environmental change, providing opportunities to collaborate with researchers across Europe and beyond.
Training and Skills Development
You will receive training in:
- DNA sequencing, protein engineering, and biochemical assays
- Bioinformatics, ancestral sequence reconstruction, and evolutionary modelling
- Species distribution modelling and ecological overlap mapping
- Public engagement, science communication, and conservation impact
You will also benefit from ACCE+ cohort activities, professional development workshops, and opportunities to present your work at international conferences. The technical and analytical skills gained will provide an excellent foundation for careers in academia, biotechnology, conservation, or environmental policy.
Research Environment
You will join a multidisciplinary supervisory team with expertise in evolutionary ecology, molecular and cell biology, integrative physiology, and biochemistry. The group has a strong track record of supporting students into careers in academia, conservation, industry, and policy. We foster an inclusive, collaborative, and student-focused environment that values curiosity, wellbeing, and creativity in science.
Impact
By revealing how evolution has equipped mammals to resist potent natural toxins, this research will provide new perspectives on adaptation, biodiversity resilience, and the molecular limits of life itself. Your findings will illuminate predator–prey interactions, inform conservation strategies for threatened species, and contribute to understanding how organisms adapt to changing environments.
Project CASE Status
This project is not a CASE project. While individual applicant quality is our overriding criterion for selection, the ACCE DTP has a commitment for 40% of all studentships to be CASE funded – as such, CASE projects may be favoured in shortlisting applicants when candidates are otherwise deemed to be equal or a consensus on student quality cannot be reached. This will only be undertaken as a last resort for separating candidates following interview.