125th Anniversary PhD Scholarship in Biosciences - PhD Project: How does the environment shape (epi)genome plasticity in long-lived plants?

About the project

Scientific motivation

The ability of a genome to change, also known as genome plasticity, is a key factor for diversification and evolution. Until now such changes have mostly been considered in the form of mutations, which are slow-occurring base modifications of the DNA sequence. However, genome plasticity is increasingly recognised to encompass molecular alterations in chromatin, known as epigenetic marks, that do not involve changes to the DNA sequence. Crucially, epigenetic modifications have been proposed to play a critical role in genome adaptation as, like genetic mutations, they can be heritable. The genome plasticity of sessile organisms such as plants might represent one of the richest sources of fundamental knowledge for the understanding of long-term adaptation of living organisms. Extremely long-lived plants can accumulate many more genome-wide changes over much longer periods, spanning centuries. Therefore, the long lifespans of mature trees provide us with a unique opportunity to discover and quantify the contribution of epigenetic mechanisms to genome plasticity and adaptation. We are now technologically able to, for the first time, bridge the knowledge gap between genetic variation, epigenetic variation and inheritance between generations to provide a first understanding of genome adaptation mechanisms in long-lived forest trees.

Research questions

This project will address three research questions:

1. How stable are epigenomes within individuals?
2. How is epigenomic plasticity affected by the environment?
3. How are the following generations informed?

Experimental approach

English Oak (Quercus robur) will be used as the tree model system. This project will strongly benefit from ground-breaking infrastructures for enhanced CO2 (eCO2) experiments, including the unique Free-Air Carbon Enrichment (FACE) facilities of the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR). This experiment exposes 180 year-old oak trees to an increased level of CO2 of 550 parts per million, which represents the expected global concentration in 2050.

Timeliness and significance

The timeliness of this research project is rooted in exploring the critical role of genome plasticity in long-lived trees, which is essential to understanding plant evolutionary mechanisms to climate change. Ultimately, this project will provide evidence for how somatic (epi)genome evolution is influenced by the environment, and how this relates to heritability and adaptation.

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Who can apply?

These scholarships are designed to create opportunities and address the underrepresentation of talented Black or Black mixed heritage students in academia. Applicants who meet all of the following criteria are eligible to apply:

1. Students classified as 'Home' for tuition fee payments
2. Members of one of the following ethnic groups:

• Black African
• Black Caribbean
• Black Other
• Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
• Mixed – White and Black African
• Other mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or Black Other)

    3. Not already enrolled on a PhD programme at the University of Birmingham

What does the scholarship provide?

1. Financial Support: Recipients of these scholarships will receive substantial financial support, including a stipend at UKRI rates, which is set at £20,780 per year for the 2025/26 academic year, and will be paid to you in regular instalments. Successful awardees will also have their tuition fees covered at a minimum of £5,006 per year. This support is designed to alleviate the financial burden often associated with pursuing a doctoral degree, such as covering tuition fees, living expenses, and research-related costs.
2. Mentorship and Guidance: Scholarship recipients will benefit from mentorship opportunities and guidance from accomplished faculty members who are dedicated to helping them succeed in their academic and research endeavours.
3. Research Opportunities: We are committed to providing an exceptional research environment. Students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge resources, and a vibrant scholarly community.
4. Community Building: A key component of the scholarship programme is the creation of a supportive community of Black British researchers pursuing PhDs. This network will foster collaboration and peer support among scholars.
5. Research Training Support Grant: In addition to financial support, scholarship recipients will receive a research training support grant at £2,250 across the duration of the PhD. This grant is intended to support conference attendance, fieldwork, and other essential activities that enhance their research and academic growth.
6. Commitment to Inclusivity: We are dedicated to building an inclusive academic environment that values diversity and ensures equitable access to education.