EASTBIO: Genetic drivers of gene expression in chicken at the University of Edinburgh

Supervisors:  Professor Albert Tenesa, Dr Andreas Kranis.

Decoding the molecular function of chicken genomes and their variation across animals is fundamental to understand the cellular mechanisms underpinning economically important traits, and to improve and tailor genomic prediction within and across populations.

This project will dissect the genetic drivers of variation in gene expression/splicing levels at diverse cells and tissues.

The project will estimate genetic effects on gene expression/splicing levels using thousands of tissues and cells from chicken and develop integrative approaches to improve genomic prediction in elite chicken populations from the breeding program of Aviagen.

Through the identification of genetic effects at multiple tissues we expect to catalogue the patterns of genetic variation that drive tissue differences in gene expression/splicing and how these relate to complex traits and whether tissue-directed genomic selection could be developed. A deeper mechanistic insight of gene regulation is also necessary to understand the feasibility and consequences of gene editing technologies.

The project is data intensive and will be ideally suited for a student with a strong background in mathematics, statistics, physics or similar numerically driven disciplines. It will involve handling large volumes of data and heavy computational approaches. The student will learn about the biology of gene expression/splicing, bioinformatic pipelines for sequencing data and how this knowledge can be used to improve food security for humans and animal welfare.

Informal enquires are to be directed to Professor Albert Tenesa ([email protected]).

Relevant references:

• DOI: 10.1101/gr.250704.119

• DOI: 10.1186/s12915-019-0687-8

• DOI: 10.1038/s41588-018-0248-z

• DOI: 10.1534/genetics.115.185967

• DOI: 10.1186/s12711-021-00663

This 4 year PhD project is part of a competition funded by EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) http://www.eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk/how-apply-0 .

EASTBIO Application and Reference Forms can be downloaded via   http://www.eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk/how-apply-0

Please send your completed EASTBIO Application Form along with a copy of your academic transcripts to [email protected]

You should also ensure that two references have been send to [email protected]  by the deadline using the EASTBIO Reference Form.

This opportunity is open to UK and international students and provides funding covering stipend and UK level tuition fees.  The University of Edinburgh covers the difference between home and international fees meaning that the EASTBIO DTP offers fully-funded studentships to all appointees.  There is a cap on the number of international students the DTP recruits.  It is therefore important for us to know from the outset which fees status category applicants will fall under when applying to our university.

Please refer to UKRI websiteand Annex B of the UKRI Training Grant Terms and Conditionsfor full eligibility criteria.

Closing Date: 16th December 2021