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Four Year Funded Studentship. Application Deadline: ongoing till position filled
Modelling the RASopathy gene networks to predict clinical phenotypes
Primary Supervisor: Dr Benjamin Hall
Secondary Supervisor: Dr Sara Hillman
Introduction
A 4-year funded PhD studentship is available in the Computational Biology of Cancer and Precancer Group, based in UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering.
Project Background
RASopathies are associated with severe conditions that present in utero. These present dangers to both child and mother, and improved prediction of specific conditions such as hydrops fetalis would enabled enhanced monitoring and early intervention for high risk individuals, and reduce costs for monitoring of lower risk individuals. However, siblings carrying the same variants do not necessarily present with the same conditions. Over the course of the PhD you will develop models that resolve this variability in presentation through the use of network models that consider variants in other pathway members that might compensate for overactive genes and protect the individual. These models will be used to power AI approaches for clinical decision making, through a web based interface designed for clinicians.
Research aims
Understand the molecular interactions that determine the clinical presentation of RASopathies. This will be achieved through the development of executable models, analysis of databases of gene interaction data, and analysis of patient data.
Person Specification and Requirements
Experience in computational biology is extremely beneficial. Alternatively demonstratable interest in computational biology and high levels of achievement in either physical/mathematical sciences or life sciences. Excellent communication and team working skills required.
This studentship is only open to Home Fee paying applicants. Overseas fee payers will not be considered. You can find out more information about Fee Status criteria here.
How to apply
This advert is open till the position is filled so we advise you to apply early. Please complete the following steps to apply.
- Send an expression of interest and current CV to: b.hall@ucl.ac.uk and medphys.pgr@ucl.ac.uk, quoting Project Code: 23032 in the email subject line.
- Use this webpage to ensure you're eligible for Home Fees
- Make a formal application to via the UCL application portal https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/research-degrees/medical-physics-and-bioengineering-mphil-phd. Please select the programme code Medical Physics and enter Project Code 23032 under ‘Name of Award 1’