Gi Fay Mok
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PhD Studentship: One Cell at a Time: Uncovering Enhancer Control of Blood and Cardiovascular Fate Using Single-cell Multi-omics University of East Anglia in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Available
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of East Anglia
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About this position
This PhD studentship explores how enhancers control the emergence of blood, vascular, and cardiac cell fates during vertebrate development. Using the chick embryo as a model, the project focuses on how gene-regulatory programmes shape the transition from shared mesodermal progenitors to distinct cardiovascular lineages.
The student will combine single-cell RNA-sequencing and ATAC-sequencing to track changes in gene expression and chromatin accessibility as blood, endothelial, and cardiac lineages emerge. A major aim is to identify candidate enhancers linked to specific cell states and developmental trajectories, with particular attention to hematoendothelial progenitors that generate the first blood and vascular cells.
The project also includes experimental validation of enhancer function. Candidate enhancers will be cloned into fluorescent reporter constructs and their activity visualised in living embryos. Selected elements will then be tested through CRISPR-based perturbation and motif mutagenesis to assess their effects on gene expression, cell behaviour, and fate decisions in vivo.
The student will join a collaborative supervisory team across the University of East Anglia and the Earlham Institute, working with Dr Gi Fay Mok, Professor Andrea Münsterberg, Dr Iain Macaulay, and Dr Wilfried Haerty. The project offers interdisciplinary training spanning developmental biology, molecular genetics, imaging, single-cell genomics, and computational biology.
Funding details
Available
What's required
No specific degree classification, GPA, or English language test requirements are stated in the advert. The project is suitable for candidates interested in developmental biology, molecular genetics, imaging, single-cell genomics, and computational biology, and it involves both computational and experimental work.
How to apply
Click the Apply button on the University of East Anglia advert page to submit your application. For questions about the project, contact [email protected].
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Professors
Professor at University of East Anglia
United Kingdom
Research Interests
Statistics
Developmental Biology
Computational Biology
Biology
Medical Science
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