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Mechanisms controlling gene expression in hypoxia and inflammation

Funding
Self-funded
Study mode
Full-time
Apply by
Start date
Year round
Subject area
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
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Overview

This self-funded PhD project aims at investigating the communalities and differences in the cellular response to hypoxia and inflammation. A number of techniques ranging from proteomics, genomics, imaging, biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology will be used.

About this opportunity

Oxygen is one of the most important molecules for life. Every member of the animal kingdom depends on oxygen to help metabolize its food and drive many critical processes in metabolism. Because oxygen is so important most organisms have evolved ways of adapting to changes in oxygen concentration that occur at times of heavy exercise or as individuals migrate to the high levels of altitude. Reduced oxygen availability is best known as hypoxia. To respond to hypoxia, mammalian cells activate a transcriptional programme mediated by Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIFs). Two main HIFs coordinate this response, HIF-1a and HIF-2a. Oxygen sensing in cells involves critical enzymes known as Dioxygenases, these include enzymes that control the expression and activity of the Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIFs) (prolyl-hydroxylases and Factor Inhibiting HIF), Histone demethylases, DNA and RNA demethylases. Interestingly, many of these enzymes are under the direct control of HIFs. This indicates that hypoxia can modulate gene expression from chromatin structure, transcription and translation, as well as mRNA decay.

In addition, previous findings from the Rocha laboratory demonstrated that the HIF system also responds to inflammation. This is an evolutionary conserved response, also observed in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Specifically, we have demonstrated an intricate crosstalk between HIF and the transcription factor NF-kB (best known for its role in immune responses).

Further reading

  1. Ortmann, B. M., Taylor, C. T., and Rocha, S. (2024) Hypoxia research, where to now? TiBS. 49, 573-582.
  2. Batie, M., Fasanya, T., Kenneth, N. S., and Rocha, S. (2023) Oxygen-regulated post-translation modifications as master signalling pathway in cells. EMBO Rep. 12, e57849.
  3. Batie, M., Frost, J., Shakir, D., and Rocha, S. (2022). Regulation of chromatin accessibility by hypoxia and HIF. Biochem. J. 479, 767-786.
  4. Daly, L., Brownridge, P., Batie, M., Rocha, S., See, V., and Eyers, C. (2021). Oxygen-dependent changes in HIF binding partners and post-translational modifications regulate levels and transcriptional activity. Science Sig. 14, eabf6685.
  5. Batie, M., Frost, J., Frost, M., Wilson, J.W., Schofield, P., and Rocha, S. (2019). Hypoxia induces rapid changes to histone methylation and reprograms chromatin. Science. 363, 1222-1226.
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Who is this for?

This project is open to self-funded UK and international applicants.

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How to apply

  1. 1. Contact supervisors

    Please email your CV and cover letter to the primary supervisor, Professor Sonia Rocha, in the first instance: Sonia.rocha@liverpool.ac.uk.

  2. 2. Prepare your application documents

    You may need the following documents to complete your online application:

    • A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
    • University transcripts and degree certificates to date
    • Passport details (international applicants only)
    • English language certificates (international applicants only)
    • A personal statement
    • A curriculum vitae (CV)
    • Contact details for two proposed supervisors
    • Names and contact details of two referees.
  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.

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Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £5,006

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £31,250

Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.


Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this project, as well as general student living costs.


Funding your PhD

This opportunity is open to UK and international applicants with their own funding. Funding should cover course fees, living expenses and research expenses (bench fees). The research group cannot provide supplementary funding or provide advice about how to apply for funding.

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.

There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.


We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.

Duncan Norman Research Scholarship

If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.

John Lennon Memorial Scholarship

If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

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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.

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