Primary cilium mediated interpretation of signalling during neuronal differentiation in the developing vertebrate embryo

This project will investigate cell biological phenomena taking place in a physiologically relevant context (spinal cord development) and is therefore at the critical interface between cell and developmental biology. These are complementary fields that rarely intersect due to unavailability of the technology and skillsets required.

However, it is rapidly becoming clear that understanding cell biological phenomena in the context of developing tissue is a new frontier in modern biological research (BBSRC objectives: 'advancing the frontiers of bioscience discovery' and 'understanding the rules of life') .

In addition, this project also aims to utilise cutting-edge high resolution live imaging in a tissue context in combination with fixed tissue super-resolution imaging techniques (BBSRC objective: 'transformative technologies').

These approaches will be combined with the latest optogenetic techniques to manipulate protein function and localisation in several animal model systems, making this project cutting-edge both technically and conceptually.

Due to its highly interdisciplinary nature, this project represents an excellent training opportunity for the PhD candidate, and is likely to make them attractive candidates for both academic and industrial recruiters in the future.