Summary
| Enrolment status | New students, Currently enrolled students |
|---|---|
| Student type | Domestic students, International students |
| Level of study | Higher Degree by Research |
| Study area | Health and Behavioural Sciences, Science and Mathematics |
| HDR funding type | Living stipend scholarship, Top-up Scholarship |
| Scholarship value | $28,092 per annum tax free (2020 rate), indexed annually. |
| Scholarship duration | Three years with the possibility of two 6-month extensions in approved circumstances. |
| Opening date | 28 January 2020 |
| Closing date | 1 March 2020 |
Description
The laboratory’s research is centred around the in-depth profiling of transcriptional and epigenetic changes that occur during cellular transitions, to understand their molecular basis and to control them. Age is the biggest risk factor for many diseases. Currently we can only delay our physical decline through diet and exercise. A breakthrough in therapies would lessen or reverse this decline to prevent both human suffering and the economic burden of age-related diseases.
On a cellular level, ageing appears to be a largely epigenetic phenomenon that can be manipulated by pluripotency induction or transient expression of iPSC reprogramming factors. As part of the project we are studying age-related changes of the transcription factor (TF) network of different cell types (including somatic stem cell populations that renew organs under homeostatic and injury conditions). The aim is to understand how TF network changes during the life cycle potentiate cellular functional decline. The successful applicant will use cutting edged techniques and model systems to investigate the effect of candidate TFs and epigenetic modifiers on the functional and molecular properties of different cell types (e.g. intestinal stem cells). By pinpointing and targeting what makes cells age, we want to “reprogramme” aged cells back towards working more efficiently, like young cells do, without a need for pluripotency induction.
The interdisciplinary nature of the project, and diverse background of researchers within the Nefzger group, will provide the candidate with access to state of the art equipment and training in this new research area.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must meet the entry requirements for a higher degree by research.
Before you get started
If this scholarship has rules, download and read them.
How to apply
To be considered for this scholarship, please email the following documents to Dr Christian Nefzger (c.nefzger@imb.uq.edu.au)
- Cover letter
- CV
- Academic transcript/s
- Any other documents you would like to receive
Please note the following: Submitting the above documents does not constitute a full application for admission into The University of Queensland's PhD program. If you are selected as the preferred applicant, you will then be invited to submit a full application for admission. You can familiarise yourself with the documents required for this process on the Graduate School's website.
Selection criteria
The ideal candidate has previous experience in basic molecular techniques and mammalian cell culture.
Contact
Terms and conditions
Read the policy on UQ Research Scholarships.
A domestic part-time student with carer’s responsibilities, a medical condition or a disability, which prevents them from studying full time may be eligible for scholarship consideration, on a case by case basis.