The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary is one of the UK’s elite research centres, according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). We offer a multi-disciplinary research environment and have approximately 180 PhD students working on projects in the biological and psychological sciences. Our students have access to a variety of research facilities supported by experienced staff, as well as a range of student support services.
The Draviam research group aims to understand chromosomal instability mechanisms that drive CIN syndromes, including cancers. The group specialises in live-imaging and tracking of dividing human cells.
Currently, in the group there are six PhD and three PDRAs together explore the role and regulation of microtubule and chromosome-associated proteins that are essential for proper cell division.
The Mardakheh group is an expert in phospho-proteomics.
The Volkov group has expertise in reconstitution of proteins, and collaborates with the Draviam group.
Our PhD students become part of Queen Mary’s Doctoral College which provides training and development opportunities, advice on funding, and financial support for research. Our students also have access to a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop key skills and attributes needed to effectively manage research, and to prepare and plan for the next stages of their career.
Draviam leads the Center for Cell Dynamics which hosts BBSRC and MRC funded super-resolution and light sheet microscopes. The student will receive training in high-resolution subcellular imaging, molecular biology methods, phospho-proteomics and biochemistry methods.
There are joint journal clubs between Volkov and Draviam group, and work presentations in the department where the student can further develop their critical analysis and communication skills.
Through life, cells divide and grow in number to repair and regenerate tissues. Errors in the process can cause irregular chromosome numbers - a state called aneuploidy, a hallmark of cancers. Accurate segregation of chromosomes is essential for the proper maintenance of chromosome numbers.
This project aims to understand how chromosomes are properly captured by microtubules and segregated accurately. For this purpose, the study will combine cell and molecular biology, biochemistry and omics approaches by using Astrin and Ndc80 complexes as molecular tools. The Astrin complex arrives at the chromosome-microtubule attachment site only after the correct attachment of chromosomes to microtubules.
Changes in protein phosphorylation that correlate with Astrin recruitment are not known. We aim to use IP-MS approach to identify phosphorylation changes in Astrin and Ndc80 complexes correlating to correct versus incorrect attachment of chromosomes to spindle microtubules. Phospho-sites will be mutated and their importance probed in live-cell undergoing chromosome segregation. Both Ndc80 and Astrin are also present in non-dividing cells, so phosphosites that alter the protein's microtubule binding will be explored for their function in differentiating iPSCs.
This studentship is open to students applying for China Scholarship Council funding. Queen Mary University of London has partnered with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to offer a joint scholarship programme to enable Chinese students to study for a PhD programme at Queen Mary. Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses for 4 years and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Applicants must be:- Chinese students with a strong academic background.- Students holding a PR Chinese passport.- Either be resident in China at the time of application or studying overseas.- Students with prior experience of studying overseas (including in the UK) are eligible to apply. Chinese QMUL graduates/Masters’ students are therefore eligible for the scheme.Please refer to the CSC website for full details on eligibility and conditions on the scholarship.
Applicants from outside of the UK are required to provide evidence of their English Language ability. Please see our English Language requirements page for details: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/postgraduateresearch/
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Viji Draviam at v.draviam@qmul.ac.uk
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 31st January 2024 for consideration, including a CV, personal statement and qualifications. You must meet the IELTS/ English Language requirements for your course and submit all required documentation (including evidence of English Language) by 14th March 2024. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your application, then you will be issued an QMUL Offer Letter, conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements. Once applicants have obtained their QMUL Offer Letter, they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship by in March 2024 with the support of the supervisor.
Only applicants who are successful in their application to CSC can be issued an unconditional offer and enrol on our PhD programme. For further information, please go to: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/scholarships/items/china-scholarship-council-scholarships.html
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Song et al., Nat Comms 2021 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-27131-9; Conti et al., eLife 2019: https://elifesciences.org/articles/49325