Genetics and Genomics MRes/PhD Supervisors
- Ed Bolt (CRISPR Biology & Biotechnology, DNA repair, Homologous Recombination)
- David Brook (Understanding the molecular basis of myotonic dystrophy and development of a small molecule treatment). My research aims to provide a thorough understanding of the molecular basis of myotonic dystrophy, the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults, and in collaboration with colleagues in Chemistry to develop small molecule therapeutics. The research is broad involving genome editing with CRISPR Cas, analysis of epigenetic effects on RNA stability and processing, tissue culture models and super resolution microscopy. The drug development project involves the testing of compounds in cell based assays and in vivo models.
- William Brown (Chromosome biology)
- (DNA recombination, biochemistry, bacterial genetics, CRISPR-Cas, transposon, evolution).
- Ylenia Chiari (Vertebrate morphological and physiological evolution. Vertebrate conservation biology). My research uses an integrative evolutionary framework to understand the causes and consequences of morphological, physiological, and genetic variation in vertebrates. My group focuses on two overarching themes: (1) identifying the genetic and environmental contribution on phenotypic evolution, and (2) applying genetic and -omic tools to conservation.Major research topics include the molecular and genomic basis of variation in longevity and cancer prevalence across vertebrates; rapid adaptation to captivity and its implications for conservation and reintroduction programmes; the effects of climate change on organismal physiology, behaviour, and ecology; the mechanisms underlying variation in animal colouration and its functional consequences; and conservation genetics and genomics of endangered species. Our work focuses almost exclusively on vertebrates, with a particular emphasis on reptiles.
- Angus Davison (Evolution, Genetics, Snails, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Colour, Asymmetry).
- Paul Dyer (Fungal Biology, Food Mycology, Genetics, Genomics, Mould-ripened Cheese).
- Martin Gering (Blood cell development)
- Sara Goodacre (Spiders/spider silk genetics and evolution).
- Hannah Jackson /life-sciences/people/hannah.jackson (Bioinformatics, ecology, evolution)
- Helen Knight (Genetic and epigenetic processes influencing human brain diseases)
- Matt Loose (Nanopore sequencing)
- Andrew MacColl (Fish ecology)
- Patrick McClure (emerging infectious diseases; respiratory viruses; viral epidemiology; virus discovery; viral diagnostics; whole genome sequencing; unbiased sequencing).
- Tamsin Majerus (Ladybird colour-pattern polymorphism; genetic control; male-killing bacteria; sexual selection).
- Jasmine Ono (yeast, genetics, evolution, adaptation, speciation, ploidy, hybridisation, Saccharomyces, Candida). I'm an evolutionary geneticist, working primarily with yeasts. My research focuses on the genetics of adaptation and speciation, probing the specifics of how evolution can and does proceed. Using the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, and their close relatives, my lab does evolution experiments as well as analyses existing species differences to test evolutionary theory.
- Andrew Renault (Drosophila, germ cells, cell migration, embryogenesis)
- Rob Wilkinson (Vascular development, zebrafish, blood brain-barrier, angiogenesis, functional genomics). Our research group investigates the genetic mechanisms that govern the formation and function of blood vessels, with a particular emphasis on how cell signaling regulates angiogenesis and maintains vascular integrity. We are especially interested in understanding how these signaling pathways become disrupted in cardiovascular diseases and how such disruptions contribute to endothelial dysfunction. A central focus of our work is to uncover how endothelial cells (ECs)-the cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels-are organised into complex vascular networks. We study the dynamic processes that control cellular rearrangements during vascular remodeling, aiming to understand how ECs interpret spatial and positional cues, and to identify the molecular signals that guide these behaviors.We also explore the formation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) during embryonic development. Specifically, we investigate how endothelial permeability is genetically regulated and suppressed to establish this critical barrier, which protects the brain from harmful substances while allowing essential nutrients to pass through. To address these questions, we primarily use zebrafish as a model system, taking advantage of their optical transparency and genetic tractability. We also employ the emerging model Danionella cerebrum for its unique neurovascular features, as well as cultured human endothelial cells to bridge our findings to human biology.
Through these studies, we aim to provide deeper insights into the fundamental biology of blood vessels and to identify potential therapeutic targets for treating vascular-related diseases.
Population Genetics Supervisors
- Ylenia Chiari (Vertebrate morphological and physiological evolution. Vertebrate conservation biology). My research uses an integrative evolutionary framework to understand the causes and consequences of morphological, physiological, and genetic variation in vertebrates. My group focuses on two overarching themes: (1) identifying the genetic and environmental contribution on phenotypic evolution, and (2) applying genetic and -omic tools to conservation.Major research topics include the molecular and genomic basis of variation in longevity and cancer prevalence across vertebrates; rapid adaptation to captivity and its implications for conservation and reintroduction programmes; the effects of climate change on organismal physiology, behaviour, and ecology; the mechanisms underlying variation in animal colouration and its functional consequences; and conservation genetics and genomics of endangered species. Our work focuses almost exclusively on vertebrates, with a particular emphasis on reptiles.
- Helen Knight (Genetic and epigenetic processes influencing human brain diseases)
- Andrew MacColl (Fish ecology)
- Angus Davison (Evolution, Genetics, Snails, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Colour, Asymmetry)
- Olivier Hanotte (Gene flow, population structure and history of tropical livestock)
- Jasmine Ono (yeast, genetics, evolution, adaptation, speciation, ploidy, hybridisation, Saccharomyces, Candida). I'm an evolutionary geneticist, working primarily with yeasts. My research focuses on the genetics of adaptation and speciation, probing the specifics of how evolution can and does proceed. Using the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, and their close relatives, my lab does evolution experiments as well as analyses existing species differences to test evolutionary theory.
- Chris Wade (Mollusc phylogeny)
Medical Genetics Supervisors
- David Brook (Understanding the molecular basis of myotonic dystrophy and development of a small molecule treatment). My research aims to provide a thorough understanding of the molecular basis of myotonic dystrophy, the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults, and in collaboration with colleagues in Chemistry to develop small molecule therapeutics. The research is broad involving genome editing with CRISPR Cas, analysis of epigenetic effects on RNA stability and processing, tissue culture models and super resolution microscopy. The drug development project involves the testing of compounds in cell based assays and in vivo models.
Evolutionary Genetics Supervisors
- Ylenia Chiari (Vertebrate morphological and physiological evolution. Vertebrate conservation biology). My research uses an integrative evolutionary framework to understand the causes and consequences of morphological, physiological, and genetic variation in vertebrates. My group focuses on two overarching themes: (1) identifying the genetic and environmental contribution on phenotypic evolution, and (2) applying genetic and -omic tools to conservation.Major research topics include the molecular and genomic basis of variation in longevity and cancer prevalence across vertebrates; rapid adaptation to captivity and its implications for conservation and reintroduction programmes; the effects of climate change on organismal physiology, behaviour, and ecology; the mechanisms underlying variation in animal colouration and its functional consequences; and conservation genetics and genomics of endangered species. Our work focuses almost exclusively on vertebrates, with a particular emphasis on reptiles.
- Angus Davison (Evolution, Genetics, Snails, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Colour, Asymmetry).
- Paul Dyer (Fungal Biology, Food Mycology, Genetics, Genomics, Mould-ripened Cheese).
- Sara Goodacre (Spiders/spider silk genetics and evolution).
- Olivier Hanotte (Evolution of environmental adaptation of tropical livestock).
- Andrew MacColl (Evolutionary genetics of stickleback-parasite interactions).
- Tamsin Majerus (Ladybird colour-pattern polymorphism; genetic control; male-killing bacteria; sexual selection).
- Jasmine Ono (yeast, genetics, evolution, adaptation, speciation, ploidy, hybridisation, Saccharomyces, Candida). I'm an evolutionary geneticist, working primarily with yeasts. My research focuses on the genetics of adaptation and speciation, probing the specifics of how evolution can and does proceed. Using the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, and their close relatives, my lab does evolution experiments as well as analyses existing species differences to test evolutionary theory.
Comparative Genomics Supervisors
- Ylenia Chiari (Vertebrate morphological and physiological evolution. Vertebrate conservation biology). My research uses an integrative evolutionary framework to understand the causes and consequences of morphological, physiological, and genetic variation in vertebrates. My group focuses on two overarching themes: (1) identifying the genetic and environmental contribution on phenotypic evolution, and (2) applying genetic and -omic tools to conservation.Major research topics include the molecular and genomic basis of variation in longevity and cancer prevalence across vertebrates; rapid adaptation to captivity and its implications for conservation and reintroduction programmes; the effects of climate change on organismal physiology, behaviour, and ecology; the mechanisms underlying variation in animal colouration and its functional consequences; and conservation genetics and genomics of endangered species. Our work focuses almost exclusively on vertebrates, with a particular emphasis on reptiles.
Bioinformatics Supervisors
- Boyan Bonev (Structural biology; computational biology; biophysics; NMR; membrane proteins; membrane lipids; AMR; bacterial physiology; solvent tolerant bacteria; antimicrobial drug design). Research in the Bonev lab is focused on the study of the organisation and composition of cell membranes, the interfaces of life, to understand their compositional variation and stability. Primary tools include solid state NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), molecular dynamics simulations and other advanced biophysical and computational techniques. The team is interested in the molecular mechanisms of infection and resistance to antibiotics. To understand and tackle bacteria, resistant to antibiotics, they study bacterial physiology and specific molecular targets, which they use to develop new approaches for antimicrobial intervention and bacterial control. Work is funded primarily by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), as well as the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
- Matt Loose (Nanopore sequencing).
- Bill Wickstead (Genomic, molecular and bioinformatic methods to understand the fundamental biology of microbial parasites). The Wickstead lab conducts research to understand the biology of parasites and the evolution of complex cells. This includes work on cell division, evasion of the immune system, and gene family evolution. Our research often integrates genomics and molecular biology with bioinformatic and computational tools. Much of the work in the lab involves the parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which causes a fatal disease known as "sleeping sickness" in humans.
- Angus Davison (Evolution, Genetics, Snails, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Colour, Asymmetry).
- Chris Wade (Mollusc phylogeny).
Human Molecular Genetics Supervisors
- David Brook (Understanding the molecular basis of myotonic dystrophy and development of a small molecule treatment). My research aims to provide a thorough understanding of the molecular basis of myotonic dystrophy, the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults, and in collaboration with colleagues in Chemistry to develop small molecule therapeutics. The research is broad involving genome editing with CRISPR Cas, analysis of epigenetic effects on RNA stability and processing, tissue culture models and super resolution microscopy. The drug development project involves the testing of compounds in cell based assays and in vivo models.
- Helen Knight (Brain function).
Molecular Genetics Supervisors
- Thorsten Allers (Archaeal genome biology).
- Steve Atkinson (Bacterial virulence).
- Ed Bolt (CRISPR Biology & Biotechnology, DNA repair, Homologous Recombination).
- David Brook (Understanding the molecular basis of myotonic dystrophy and development of a small molecule treatment). My research aims to provide a thorough understanding of the molecular basis of myotonic dystrophy, the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults, and in collaboration with colleagues in Chemistry to develop small molecule therapeutics. The research is broad involving genome editing with CRISPR Cas, analysis of epigenetic effects on RNA stability and processing, tissue culture models and super resolution microscopy. The drug development project involves the testing of compounds in cell based assays and in vivo models.
- William Brown (Chromosome biology).
- Martin Gering (Blood cell development).
- Stephen Gray (DNA repair mechanisms).
- Barnabas King (Determining and characterising mutations in virus surface proteins that influence entry and antibody recognition). My current research interests focus on the identification and characterisation of genetic diversity in pathogenic human viruses. Recent work in the lab has looked at: Genetic diversity and seasonal fluctuations in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Developing pseudotyped virus assays for mammalian alpha coronaviruses,The challenges, inequalities and solutions in preventing mother to child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is under resources healthcare settings,Understanding viral factors involved in MTCT in HBV,Generating infectious clones of genotype 3 hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolated from patients,Describing hepacivirus transmission and infections in horses.
- Yan Liao My research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that archaeal cells use for adaptation, interaction, and division, and on developing these systems for novel biotechnological applications relevant to environmental and human health.
- Siobhan Loughna (CHD, congenital heart disease, heart defects, Prkd1, Cdk13, pathogenic variants, humanised transgenic mutant mouse, high resolution episcopic microscopy). Our research interests are to provide insights into how the heart forms during early stages of cardiogenesis, and how it goes wrong leading to defects. Congenital heart disease is relatively common (approximately 0.8% of newborn babies), with most cases having an unknown cause. In collaboration with Professor David Brook, we have analysed a number of mouse lines which carry deletions or humanised mutations for genes which are know to cause heart defects in humans. Our current genes of interest are Cdk13 and Prkd1, with both encoding a protein kinase. Mutations in these genes result in congenital heart disease. Morphological analysis is by high resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM), which allows 2D and 3D analysis of the hearts. A range of developmental, cell and molecular biology techniques are employed in the laboratory to decipher the expression of these genes of interest and understand the abnormalities seen. Further, functional studies are performed to provide insights into what role the genes play in the heart in order to explain how defects form.
- Andrew Renault (Drosophila, germ cells, cell migration, embryogenesis).
- Bill Wickstead (Genomic, molecular and bioinformatic methods to understand the fundamental biology of microbial parasites). The Wickstead lab conducts research to understand the biology of parasites and the evolution of complex cells. This includes work on cell division, evasion of the immune system, and gene family evolution. Our research often integrates genomics and molecular biology with bioinformatic and computational tools. Much of the work in the lab involves the parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which causes a fatal disease known as "sleeping sickness" in humans.