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PhD opportunities: University of Dundee

Compare 52 doctoral research opportunities connected with University of Dundee, including project summaries, funding and application deadlines.

Cancer Biology

Development and standardisation of a vascularised-brain tumour neurosphere model using organ-on-a-chip technology for high throughput

University of Dundee

About the Project Gliomas are among the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of brain cancer. Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy and targeted therapies, patient outcomes remain poor, largely because the blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts drug delivery and tumour cells rapidly develop resistance to treatment.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
19 October 2026
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: ADP-ribosylation in dementia and motor neuron disease

University of Dundee

About the Project ADP-ribosylation is a fundamental posttranslational modification where ADP-ribose is linked on to target proteins by ADP-ribose transferases and removed by the ADP-ribose hydrolases.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Bacteriology

MSc by Research: Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation and environmental stress

University of Dundee

About the Project Biofilms have a significant impact in many environments including medical and agricultural sectors. Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium that is widely used as a model organism to increase our understanding of biofilm formation. In this research project, the student will make use of the genetic diversity encoded within the B. subtilis pangenome to increase our knowledge of the mechanisms by which B.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Bacteriology

MSc by Research: Bacillus subtilis intraspecies interactions

University of Dundee

About the Project Interbacterial competition is ubiquitous and plays a key role in shaping diverse microbial communities, including the gut microbiota and in the rhizosphere. Bacteria normally exist within mixed microbial populations and must be able to compete effectively for space and nutrients to enter and survive within these communities. Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium that resides in intestinal tracts, soil, and on plant surfaces. B.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Developmental Biology

MSc by Research: Caenorhabditis elegans: A genetic model to study anosmia, loss of olfaction, associated with Parkinson’s Disease

University of Dundee

About the Project Parkinson’s Disease or PD is the second fastest growing neurodegenerative disease in the UK. PD is an age-associated disease characterized by tremors, change in gait, loss of appetite and loss or reduction in the sense of smell (anosmia). Anosmia is reported in individuals with PD years to decade before tremors and loss of dopaminergic neurons. Anosmia has a huge impact on the quality of life leading as well as loss or gain in body weight.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biophysics

MSc by Research: Cell migration in epithelial tissues

University of Dundee

About the Project It is an important question to answer how cells move in a crowded environment. In this project, we’ll use the vertex model (a widely used computational framework for cell-based studies of epithelial tissue mechanics) to study motion of a small patch of motile cells in otherwise inert environment. The student will learn how to set up and run a sophisticated numerical simulations of a model biological system.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Characterisation of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived kidney organoid system for use in drug discovery

University of Dundee

About the Project Only 5% of all drugs tested in animal models are approved for human applications. Most of these failures are due to unexpected toxicity or lack of efficacy. The poor translation from small mammal studies to humans often causes this challenge. Recent development in obtaining human induced pluripotent stem cells gives a rare opportunity to bypass the animal system. Our lab has established the protocol for growth of kidney organoids.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Conserved function of gut microbiome in mouse, fruit fly and Caenorhabditis elegans

University of Dundee

About the Project Gut microbiome is the community of microbes living together in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. They provide specific functions to the animal host such as digestion of cellulose and protection from invading pathogens. Large scale sequencing analyses have led to identification of several bacteria, some archaea and fungi in various animals including humans.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Bioinformatics

MSc by Research: DNA Replication Coupled Mechanisms that control cell fate transitions

University of Dundee

About the Project DNA replication is required for successful cell fate transitions across diverse physiological, experimental, and pathological contexts, involving factors often deregulated in human cancer and intellectual disabilities. The underlying mechanisms are fundamental for our understanding of organ homeostasis but are poorly understood.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Cell Biology

MSc by Research: Deciphering the role(s) of Cdk1 during oocyte meiosis

University of Dundee

About the Project Meiosis is a specialised type of cell division that produces haploid daughter cells known as gametes that are important for sexual reproduction. Dynamic protein phosphorylation plays crucial roles during meiosis, but the mechanisms underlying the function of each kinase are not entirely clear. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are a family of key kinases with different roles during the cell cycle. CDKs are the active kinase component of CDK/cyclin complexes.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Deciphering the ubiquitin codes that regulate protein degradation

University of Dundee

About the Project Ubiquitin signalling, which involves the posttranslational modification (PTM) of proteins with ubiquitin, regulates almost every aspect of eukaryotic biology. This versatility is possible because proteins can be modified with different types of ubiquitin codes resulting in distinct functional outcomes. An indispensable role for ubiquitylation is to serve as a signal for the degradation of misfolded and damaged proteins.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biotechnology

MSc by Research: Defying Mendel’s laws: developing tools to understand the principles of epigenetic inheritance in tomato plants

University of Dundee

About the Project In plants, phenotypic innovation is not exclusively encoded in DNA sequences. Some heritable new traits are associated with modifications on the DNA, such as DNA methylation. DNA methylation involves the binding of methyl groups to cytosines in the DNA molecule. High DNA methylation levels cause transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) and switch genes off. Because this type of regulation is independent of DNA sequences it is referred to as epi genetic.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Analytical Chemistry

MSc by Research: Discovering the Biological Role(s) and Proteomic Impact of Non-Canonical Ubiquitylation

University of Dundee

About the Project Ubiquitylation , the process by which the small protein ubiquitin is attached to target proteins, is a fundamental post-translational modification (PTM) that regulates almost every cellular function. Dysregulation of the ubiquitylation machinery is implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer , neurodegenerative diseases , and immune dysfunctions .

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Effect of Intermicrobial interactions on swarming in pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa

University of Dundee

About the Project The ability of bacteria to spread within the organs and tissues of their host underlies their ability to establish successful infection. Certain bacteria such as Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa are exceptional at displaying various forms of motility. Under specific conditions, a group of P. aeruginosa cells can move together under the influence of quorum sensing and biosurfactant, using a process called swarming.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Agricultural Sciences

MSc by Research: Exploring Bacillus biocontrol of Phytophthora raspberry root rot disease

University of Dundee

About the Project Domestic crop production, increasingly reliant on reduced fertiliser and agrochemical inputs whilst also achieving high yields, is necessary to maintain a high level of food security in the UK. Increased demand for berries is driven both by their popularity and their proven health benefits. Like many crop and tree species, strawberries and raspberries are susceptible to diseases caused by oomycete pathogens, causing significant crop losses.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Agricultural Sciences

MSc by Research: Exploring temperature sensing pathways in barley

University of Dundee

About the Project Mean global temperatures have risen by 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and could climb by another 4°C by 2100. Climate change is already affecting crop yields, and without effective mitigation, global yields of major crops could decline by as much as 36% by the end of the century. In the UK staple crops wheat and barley, each 1°C increase above optimal growth temperature is estimated to reduce yield by 5-6% ( Jacott & Boden, 2020 ).

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Cell Biology

MSc by Research: Function of presomitic mesoderm specific phosphorylation of the Notch intracellular domain in somitogenesis

University of Dundee

About the Project The Notch signalling pathway is one of the key pathways required for the developing embryo. It is especially important for the process of somitogenesis, the formation of body segments that develop into e.g. the bones and muscle of the skeleton.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Artificial Intelligence

MSc by Research: Functional mechanisms and inhibition of biomedically important calcium channels

University of Dundee

About the Project Ion channels are key components in every cell, bridging cell and organellar membranes for the traversal of charged species. Calcium channels are of particular physiological importance because of the central role calcium plays in cell signalling and cell death. They are also essential for the replication and maturation of viruses in host cells. For these reasons, many drugs and drug candidates target calcium channels.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Agricultural Sciences

MSc by Research: Greasing plant cell signalling – the role of S-acylation in plant receptor cytoplasmic kinase signalling during immune responses

University of Dundee

About the Project Protein S-acylation is a reversible fatty acid-based post-translational modification of proteins. We have demonstrated that S-acylation affects nearly half of all membrane proteins, is a dynamic modification (cycles on and off to control protein activity or function) and impacts every aspect of plant growth and development.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Heart failure and fatal epilepsy caused by unbranched glycogen

University of Dundee

About the Project The accumulation and precipitation of unbranched glycogen in human tissues as toxic polyglucosan bodies (PB) is the cause of cardiomyopathy and heart failure and/or a fatal epilepsy called Lafora’s disease in young adults.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: How are SUMO substrates selected for modification

University of Dundee

About the Project SUMO has diverse roles in cellular physiology that in most cases are mediated by its ability to interact non-covalently with hydrophobic patches of low sequence complexity known as SUMO Interaction Motifs (SIMs). Extensive proteomic analysis has documented the co-ordinate SUMO modification of many components of large nucleo protein complexes.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: How does Dysregulated Protein Kinase Signalling Cause Human Neurodevelopmental Disorders?

University of Dundee

About the Project The overarching goal of this project is to identify and characterise protein kinase signalling pathways that are disrupted in human neurodevelopmental disorders. This research will uncover new therapeutic targets and avenues that might be used in treatment of patients these debilitating disorders. Protein kinases function as reversible switches in signal transduction and as such are fundamental regulators of all cellular processes.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Human heart organoids for drug discovery in heart failure

University of Dundee

About the Project Study of heart failure and heart attack is extremely difficult. Moreover, only 5% of all drugs tested in animal models are approved for human applications. Thus, we urgently need cell models to efficiently and effectively evaluate drug effects like toxicity. The cells that build the heart, called cardiomyocytes, were one of the first cells differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Identifying microbiota responsible for longevity and health

University of Dundee

About the Project Gut microbiome is the community of microbes living together in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. They provide specific functions to the animal host such as digestion of cellulose and protection from invading pathogens. Large scale sequencing analyses have led to identification of several bacteria, some archaea and fungi in various animals including humans. It is not clear if various microbes are differentially beneficial.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Bioinformatics

MSc by Research: Investigating Glycogen-Dependent Regulation of Microglia Inflammatory Responses

University of Dundee

About the Project Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, responsible for responding to infection and damage in a protective manner. In Alzheimer’s Disease, microglia responses are dysregulated, leading to chronic inflammation and failure to protect the brain from neurodegeneration.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Artificial Intelligence

MSc by Research: Investigating the Natural Variation of Ubiquitin-Like-Proteins Across the Eukaryotic Tree of Life

University of Dundee

About the Project Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-Like-Proteins are highly conserved across the eukaryotic tree of life. They regulate a wide range of cellular processes via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, whereby ubiquitin is covalently bonded to a target protein. This tags it for degradation by the proteasome. The dysregulation of this pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases and is even exploited by some pathogens.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Investigating the cell cycle in the context of neurodevelopment

University of Dundee

About the Project During early embryogenesis the structure that will become the central nervous system, the neural tube, is formed by a process called neurulation. If this process does not occur correctly and in a timely manner then this can lead to neural tube defects (NTDs).

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Artificial Intelligence

MSc by Research: Investigating the tumor suppressor functions of chromatin remodelling

University of Dundee

About the Project One of the unanticipated outcomes of population based genome sequencing has been the finding that genes involved in the regulation of many genes are mutated at high frequency in tissue specific cancers. This is the case for SWI/SNF –related chromatin remodelling enzymes which are mutated in about 20% of all tumors and at higher frequencies in cancers of specific tissues.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Investigation of mitochondrial biology and neurodegeneration

University of Dundee

About the Project Phosphorylation and ubiquitylation are reversible signalling events and there is significant interest in in their interplay in the regulation of normal biological processes and disruption in human diseases. Previous research in our lab has defined a role of the PINK1 kinase and Parkin ubiquitin ligase in sensing mitochondrial damage and eliminating damaged mitochondria by autophagy (mitophagy).

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Agricultural Sciences

MSc by Research: Jasmonate control of barley development

University of Dundee

About the Project From the earliest farmers to modern plant breeders, humans have bred and selected for cereals that develop to produce higher grain yields. Excitingly, recent work in the McKim lab suggests that the plant hormone jasmonate is an important developmental regulator in barley. However, we would like to find out how jasmonate interacts with other pathways controlling barley development and its role in environmental responses.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Cell Biology

MSc by Research: Mapping the host response to fungal pathogens

University of Dundee

About the Project Fungal pathogens represent a significant clinical problem for which treatment options remain limited. While in healthy individuals localised fungal infections areusually cleared by the immune system, systemic or blood stream fungal infections are a serious clinical issue, with mortality rates of 40-50% even with modern treatments. This is being compounded by the emergence of resistance to the limited number of anti-fungal infections.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Cell Biology

MSc by Research: Mechanisms of cell size regulation

University of Dundee

About the Project The tremendous diversity of cell shapes and sizes found in living organisms is fascinating. For instance, cell size differs enormously in the human body with myocytes being about a million-fold larger than red blood cells. This raises the fundamental question whether cell size is linked to cell function. The physiological roles and hence function the diverse cell types perform in our bodies are intricately linked to the fate they adopt.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Molecular characterisation of the factors driving lung fibrosis.

University of Dundee

About the Project Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease that results in an irreversible decline in lung function. At present IPF is normally fatal and the median survival is between 2 and 5 years after diagnosis. While some drugs, such as Pirfenidone and Nintedanib, can slow progression they do not provide a cure, and so further research is needed in order to increase our understanding of fibrosis and identify novel targets for therapeutic development.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Molecular mechanisms underlying aphid effector virulence activity

University of Dundee

About the Project Pests and diseases are a major threat to food security with losses ranging between 20-40%. Aphids are one of the most devastating insect pests, globally. These insects form a close association with their host and use specialized mouthparts (stylets), to probe leaf tissue and feed on the phloem over prolonged periods of time.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: New technologies to monitor assembly of alternative forms of the proteasome

University of Dundee

About the Project The Rousseau lab is interested in decoding how protein degradation by the proteasome is regulated in cells so that accumulation of unfolded, misfolded, or damaged proteins can be cleared before they become deleterious. The proteasome recognises, unfolds, and degrades faulty proteins that have been tagged with ubiquitin to maintain the integrity of the proteome.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Agricultural Sciences

MSc by Research: Optimizing plant cell wall glycan extraction to support plant health and biotechnology research

University of Dundee

About the Project Plant cell wall glycans are a major component of plant biomass, essential for plant physiology, development, and protection against environmental stress and disease. They also provide raw materials for valuable economic products, including wood, textiles, paper, biofuels, and food additives such as gelling and thickening agents. Additionally, they serve as dietary fiber, which supports human nutrition and immune health.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Cell Biology

MSc by Research: Post transcriptional control of the segmentation clock and somitogenesis

University of Dundee

About the Project During early embryogenesis, segments (somites) are formed during a process called somitogenesis. These somites will go on to form the bones and muscles of the skeleton. The timing of the segmentation process is regulated by a molecular oscillator, the segmentation clock, that drives cyclic gene expression with a periodicity that matches somite formation.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Regulation and mechanics in polarized trafficking

University of Dundee

About the Project Membranes and their protein organization are a frontier in our understanding of cell biology. We focus on polarized trafficking as a model to uncover fundamental mechanisms in the organization of structures at membranes. We aim to understand the role of protein complexes including the exocyst in this pathway.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Cell Biology

MSc by Research: Regulation of Kinetochore function by PLK1

University of Dundee

About the Project Accurate partition of the duplicated genome during cell division is crucial for cellular viability and organismal development. Chromosome mis-segregation is a major source of aneuploidy and it is a hallmark of cancer, while in oocytes represents the major source of miscarriages and genetic disease. As cells enter mitosis, chromosomes undergo compaction and establish specialized connections with spindle microtubules.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Bioinformatics

MSc by Research: Regulation of microglial phenotypes by adenosine and in contribution to ageing in the brain.

University of Dundee

About the Project Microglia are the major innate immune cells in the central nervous system and are required for the response to invading pathogens, removal of damaged or apoptotic cells and also contributing to neuronal development via synaptic pruning. To achieve these diverse functions, microglia must be able to adopt a spectrum of pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Agricultural Sciences

MSc by Research: Reporting on destruction – developing plant-based assays for PROTAC degrader activity

University of Dundee

About the Project Protein Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) degraders are small molecules able to recruit a ubiquitin ligase to a protein of interest and promote degradation. This emerging technology is a powerful research tool for studying lethal genes or protein depletion at specific life stages.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Bacteriology

MSc by Research: Role and mechanism of the bacterial Type VI secretion system

University of Dundee

About the Project Many species of bacteria use a contractile nanomachine known as the Type VI secretion system (T6SS) to deliver a wide range of toxic proteins, known as ‘effectors’, directly into neighbouring cells. The T6SS plays a key role in the virulence and competitiveness of diverse Gram-negative bacteria, including important human, animal and plant pathogens. In some cases the T6SS can be used to directly attack host cells, as a classical virulence factor.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Developmental Biology

MSc by Research: Study of Hydrocephalus and water channelopathy in C. elegans model

University of Dundee

About the Project Hydrocephalus or ‘water on the brain’ is an understudied, life-threatening condition characterised by excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) buildup in the brain [1]. CSF accumulation leads to enlarged brain in children, and severe debilitating condition in adults including chronic headaches, motor function decline (difficulty eating, walking, incontinence) and cognitive decline such as visual impairment and loss of ability of smell (hyposmia) [2].

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Systems-level approaches to understanding mechanisms of cellular senescence and aging

University of Dundee

About the Project Age-associated physiological decline is characterized by loss of resilience towards stress and injury. Understanding mechanisms of resilience is a global challenge due to the demographic shift towards aging populations. Cellular senescence is a clinically important phenotype that is both pro-aging and tumor suppressive. Senescence is fundamentally characterized by durable cell cycle arrest in response to replicative aging and cellular stresses.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Targeting ‘Undruggable’ Oncoproteins via Induced Proximity

University of Dundee

About the Project Many well-established cancer drivers, such as K-Ras and β-catenin, have long been considered ‘undruggable’, as traditional drug development approaches have failed to effectively inhibit their activity. Tackling these elusive targets requires innovative strategies that go beyond conventional drug design.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Agricultural Sciences

MSc by Research: The forward facing path: epidermal development in cereals

University of Dundee

About the Project Plants living on land face brutal threats from pests, dehydration and temperature. To survive and thrive, land plants evolved a waxy ‘cuticle’ and distinctive epidermal cells such as gas pores and defensive barbs. Further changes to the epidermis help cereal performance on arid grasslands and play important roles in climate resiliency.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Agricultural Sciences

MSc by Research: Trimming the fat - Identification of de-S-acylating enzymes from plants

University of Dundee

About the Project Protein S-acylation is a reversible fatty acid-based post-translational modification of proteins. We have demonstrated that S-acylation affects nearly half of all membrane proteins, is a dynamic modification (cycles on and off to control protein activity or function) and impacts every aspect of plant growth and development.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Understanding the functions of ERphagy via its targeted cargos

University of Dundee

About the Project The selective degradation of the endoplasmic reticulum via autophagy, also known as ERphagy, is a fundamental cellular process that has been observed under different stresses and stimuli. However, the exact rationale and contribution of ERphagy towards cellular homeostasis remains unclear, let alone its clinical implications.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Unravelling the molecular mechanism underpinning Ubiquitin-like fusion protein proteolysis

University of Dundee

About the Project The Maniaci Lab tackles one of the big puzzles in cell biology: How can cells create a vast diversity of proteins from a limited genetic blueprint? This diversity is essential for life and is largely achieved through post-translational modifications (PTMs) – molecular “tags” added to proteins after they’re made. PTMs allow proteins to adopt different shapes, locations, and functions, enabling cells to adapt to changing conditions and perform complex tasks.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Using genome editing to study the mechanisms of immune cell proliferation and differentiation

University of Dundee

About the Project T lymphocytes mediate long-term adaptive immunity to viruses and tumour cells. T lymphocytes recognize foreign antigens via specific interactions with the T cell receptor (TCR) that is expressed on the cell surface. Upon antigen-TCR engagement and appropriate co-stimulation, T lymphocytes undergo major remodelling of the proteome and cellular metabolism, expanding in volume by ~3.5-fold and entering a period of rapid cell division cycles.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Biochemistry

MSc by Research: Why are inhibitors of the protein kinase IRAK4 failing in Clinical Trials?

University of Dundee

About the Project Hyperactivation of the Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) signalling pathway is a major cause of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, suggesting that specific inhibitors of this pathway may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of diseases such as asthma, arthritis, colitis, lupus, psoriasis, and sepsis.

Location
Dundee, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only