Probing the immune epitranscriptome with nanopore sequencing

Our cells have a remarkable ability to respond to microbial challenge. In this collaborative project between leading academic and industrial partners, you will develop and use cutting-edge methods to study gene expression in immune cells. The project will study RNA modifications (the epitranscriptome) in mammalian immune cells. After transcription chemical modification of RNAs (for example methylation) can affect the function and expression of these RNAs. More than 100 RNA modifications have been discovered. However, our understanding of the function of these dynamic modifications remains surprisingly limited. To overcome this, you will work in an enthusiastic team and have exclusive access to novel methodologies to probe the epitranscriptome in an unbiased manner. During the PhD, you will spend time in Oxford Nanopore Technologies, an internationally leading company in sequencing technologies. You will combine skills acquired in your placement with a combination of biochemical, molecular cell biology, immunological, and transcriptomics techniques to study the epitranscriptome of activated T lymphocytes. This will provide unprecedented insight into the functional "meaning" of RNA modifications and into how immune cells respond to microbial challenge.