Light in early life: understanding the mechanisms of avian photoreception in relation to physiology and behaviour at the University of Edinburgh

Supervisors: Professor Simone Meddle, Dr Mike McGrew and Professor Ian Dunn 

Closing Date:  5th January 2022

This project will investigate the mechanism by which light exposure during artificial incubation of bird eggs exerts positive effects on chicks post-hatch.

Poultry production is a major component of agriculture in the UK and worldwide. Over 90 million eggs are set for incubation each month in the UK alone. Environmental conditions during incubation are vital for proper development and can have long lasting consequences post-hatch. Reduction of hatch asynchrony and improvement of hatchability represents a key means to improve animal welfare and efficiency.

Light exposure during incubation has emerged as a potential means of improving hatchability and hatch synchrony. Our understanding of how light exposure acts during incubation, and how it can be optimized, remains limited particularly in relation to post-hatch performance. Our recent work has shown that extra-retinal photoreceptors (non-visual opsins) represent a widespread and evolutionarily ancient form of light detection that could readily mediate development.

The project’s primary objective is to test the role of non-visual opsins during incubation in relation to chick physiology and behaviour including circadian rhythms. By using gene edited neuronal opsin knockout chickens, we aim to elucidate whether extra retinal photoreceptors mediate the positive effects of light exposure during incubation.

The project will provide unique insights into the mechanisms by which chicks can detect and respond to light cues. These novel insights will inform commercial egg incubation and improve welfare, but also provide a more detailed appreciation of how nocturnal light exposure may impact wild bird populations.

The state-of-the-art project will be supervised by a strong multidisciplinary team with exceptional skills in avian behaviour and physiology. Members have technical experience in novel avian gene-editing and will support the student’s development of skills in animal behaviour, physiology, welfare, immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and transcriptomics. The project will draw on international collaboration with colleagues in the USA.

Pérez et al (2018) A Comparative Perspective on Extra-retinal Photoreception. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism 30: 39-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2018.10.005 

We would encourage applicants to list up to three projects of interest (ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice) from those listed with a closing date of 5th January 2022 at https://www.ed.ac.uk/roslin/work-study/opportunities/studentships 

This opportunity is open to UK and international students and provides funding to cover stipend, tuition fees and consumable/travel costs.  Applications including a statement of interest and full CV with names and addresses (including email addresses) of two academic referees, should be emailed to [email protected].

When applying for the studentship please state clearly the project title/s and the supervisor/s in your covering letter.

A webinar will be held on Tuesday 14th December at 13.00hrs (UK time) to assist you in the application process and tell you a little more about studying for a PhD with us.  It will also give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.  If interested in joining us please send your name and email address to [email protected]by Friday 10th December and we will send you a link to the on line meeting

ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE CLOSING DATE 5th JANUARY 2022