Molecular control underpinning arm and leg size, development and regeneration

Applications are invited for this self-funded 48 Month project within the Institute of Medical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen.

An exciting opportunity to join a team investigating the amazing process of limb development, specifically aiming to understand how limb length and size is controlled between the two sides of the body and to shed light on how limb defects come about and if they can be rescued.

Central to our approach will be to study how limbs form in developing chicken embryos. Whilst a lot is known about limb development in general, we still don’t understand how the outgrowth of each limb is precisely coordinated so that your left and right arms (or legs) are the same size. How is this controlled when they don’t directly communicate with each other? We hypothesize that there are self-regulating control mechanisms that allow embryos to correct initial errors in limb patterning. Our previous work found these types of control mechanisms exist in early (but not late) limb development, where limbs have a remarkable ability to recover from significant tissue loss/damage and form normal (albeit smaller) limbs.

In this project, we seek to identify the factors underpinning this regulation, to understand to what extent defects can be corrected during development, to determine if in later limb development we can reactivate the ability to recover from tissue loss and regenerate missing tissue and to understand when and why this correction fails resulting in a defect that survives to birth and ultimately into adulthood. The project will combine advanced molecular biology techniques, imaging, fate mapping with genetic/embryological perturbations and strategies to try and correct limb defects in-vivo.

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Applicants to this project should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team.

Informal enquiries are encouraged, please contact Professor Neil Vargesson (n.vargesson@abdn.ac.uk) for further information.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please note: This is a self-funded opportunity.

• Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
• You should apply for Medical Sciences (PhD) to ensure your application is passed to the correct team.
• Please clearly note the name of the supervisor and the project title on the application form. If this is not included, your application may not be considered for the project.
• Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) at undergraduate level.
• Your application must include: a personal statement, an up-to-date copy of your academic CV, and clear copies of your educational certificates and transcripts.
• If you are still undertaking your undergraduate degree, it is helpful to the selection panel if you could provide documentation showing your grades to date (this can be a screenshot from an online portal).
• Please note: Project supervisors will not respond to requests for funding assistance.
• If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at pgrs-admissions@abdn.ac.uk