Fixed-term

OVERVIEW An elevated level of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) production supports the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells and as a result they become “addicted” to abnormal level of rRNA. Consequently, cancer cells become more sensitive to drugs that target rRNA production, making rRNA production a promising target for anticancer therapy. The first drug that targets rRNA production (CX-5461) has recently entered the clinical trials against advanced blood cancers and more such drugs are currently under development. Our recent research demonstrated that although CX-5461 very efficiently kills blood cancer cells, the cells can become resistant to the drug, meaning the tumours recur. We believe we have identified a cause for CX-5461 resistance by discovering that a protein named topoisomerase-II-alpha, which is often overproduced in aggressive cancers, mediates activity of CX-5461 in blood cancer cells. Understanding of how blood cancer cells develop resistance to drugs targeting rRNA production will allow us to develop better drugs in the future. These drugs will represent a viable and less damaging alternative to chemo- and radiotherapy which are widely used to treat blood cancers. Confirming Topoisomerase-II-alpha’s role in the development of the resistance will allow us to identify and select patients who will benefit most from CX-5461 treatment. In collaboration with Australian National University, Canberra. CX-5461 is the first selective Pol-I transcription inhibitor (PTI) that entered clinical trials against haematological malignancies. We showed that CX-5461 very effectively treats syngeneic models of blood cancers that are resistant to standard therapies and have a dismal prognosis. Although the increase in survival afforded by CX-5461 was spectacular, mice eventually relapsed and developed tumours insensitive to CX-5461. Our preliminary data suggest the link between acquired resistance to CX-5461 and the level of Topoisomerase-IIα expression/activity in cells. However, the nature of this link and mechanism of the resistance are not known and defining the molecular events that regulate Topoisomerase-IIα-dependent resistance to PTI is the main objective of this project. To achieve this we will test our hypothesis suggesting a special role for low-intensity double-strand DNA breaks localised at the ribosomal DNA in the drug’s efficiency and investigate changes in transcriptome of drug-resistant cells. We will use cellular models as described in details in our research plan aiming eventually to translate our findings to the clinic. The outcomes of the proposed research will have impact in the area of therapeutic potential of PTI for treatment of haematological malignancies especially those that are resistant to other treatments, thus benefiting blood cancer sufferers. All applicants must meet the academic entry requirements: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/biological-sciences-phd.html#entry Research Information PhD Supervisors Information on the research interests and activities of academics in Biological Sciences can be accessed via the School website and the Find a Supervisor facility. Career Prospects Introduction Queen’s postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as the DegreePlus/Future Ready Award, bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. Career prospects in the biological sciences are exceptionally good. To some extent it depends on the specific topic, of course, but laboratory-based and especially quantitative skills and the proven innovation of a PhD or MPhil are highly sought after. Degrees are very much in demand, both in commercial science and public sector research and development (e.g. drug discovery and development, crop and animal improvements and welfare, sustainable agriculture and resource use, human nutrition and health, animal health, ecological management, food safety and technology, scientific communications, regulation, and many more fields). Employment after the Course Graduates have gone on to be professional research scientists, consultants, or hold technical and junior executive positions in commerce and government. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS Graduate The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant subject from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School. International Students For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country. English Language Requirements Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years). International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes. For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs. If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen’s University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree. HOW TO APPLY Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply. Find a supervisor If you’re interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions. To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here. You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

OVERVIEW Nowadays, the farm livestock productions systems face multiple challenges as the consumer desires high quality animal products which are produced with less environmental impact and at the same time without affecting animal welfare. For these reasons, the agriculture sector has to adopt more efficient and sustainable production methods. One approach is the introduction of feed with bioactive compounds in animal nutrition. These bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols (tannins), terpenoids (saponins), enzymes (polyphenol oxidase) and essential oils, can be found in different plants and by-product food. They have the potential to optimise animal nutrition (protein use efficiency), reduce environmental impact (N-losses, methane emissions), improve animal health (mastitis, parasitism), and improve food quality (increase healthy fatty acids, flavour, colour of meat and milk). The project will evaluate the nutritive value of different alternative feed sources and assess their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve nutrient use efficiency. It will also explore the feasibility of ensiling these feed sources for use as livestock feed. This approach will address key knowledge gaps relating to the use of these novel feeds in ruminant nutrition, while suggesting approaches to reduce animals’ environmental impact. Objectives: 1. Assess the effects of bioactive compounds on in vitro ruminal fermentation, NH3 and CH4 concentration. 2. Optimisation of the ensiling process. This is an important step because there is a lack of research and limited scientific information in this area. This optimisation will be done on selected feed based on their most potent ammonia/methane inhibitory properties selected from the previous study (objective 1). 3. Assess the effect of inclusion of alternative feed source in the diet of growing lambs and greenhouse gas emissions Two selected ensiled feed from the previous study (objective 2) will be used for the feeding trial with lambs. All applicants must meet the academic entry requirements: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/biological-sciences-phd.html#entry Research Information PhD Supervisors Information on the research interests and activities of academics in Biological Sciences can be accessed via the School website and the Find a Supervisor facility. Career Prospects Introduction Queen’s postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as the DegreePlus/Future Ready Award, bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. Career prospects in the biological sciences are exceptionally good. To some extent it depends on the specific topic, of course, but laboratory-based and especially quantitative skills and the proven innovation of a PhD or MPhil are highly sought after. Degrees are very much in demand, both in commercial science and public sector research and development (e.g. drug discovery and development, crop and animal improvements and welfare, sustainable agriculture and resource use, human nutrition and health, animal health, ecological management, food safety and technology, scientific communications, regulation, and many more fields). Employment after the Course Graduates have gone on to be professional research scientists, consultants, or hold technical and junior executive positions in commerce and government. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS Graduate The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant subject from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School. International Students For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country. English Language Requirements Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years). International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes. For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs. If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen’s University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree. HOW TO APPLY Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply. Find a supervisor If you’re interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions. To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here. You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

OVERVIEW Alien species, those introduced outside their native range, are a major driver of environmental change that may lead to the extinction of local biodiversity, alter ecosystem services and cause huge economic damage. With increasing global trade, the number of new alien species is growing rapidly. Thus, identifying which species may establish and become invasive is an urgent global challenge. However, with no history of past invasion, it is hard to predict which new alien species will establish, and which ones will go naturally extinct. Freshwater fish are among the most frequently introduced vertebrates and many have major detrimental effects on the most vulnerable ecosystems on Earth – freshwater habitats. Surprisingly, we know remarkably little of why some fish species are more likely to establish and spread in novel regions, and which species are likely to be the future successful aliens. Aim: To identify which species’ traits facilitate the introduction, establishment and spread of alien freshwater fish and predict the probability of success of potential future invaders, at global and local scale. Objectives: 1) To build a global scale database on freshwater fish introductions, introduction pathways, and species traits; 2) To test which species characteristics determine the probability of introduction, establishment and spread of alien freshwater fish using the database, phylogenetic comparative methods and theoretical modelling; 3) To produce a Horizon scanning output that informs policy, by quantifying how different pathways to introduction (e.g. angling, fisheries, pet trade) influence the probability of release in novel regions, and deriving their probability invasion at global and local scale for species likely to be introduced globally and in the UK and Ireland in particular. Training: The student will be trained in data collection and management of large datasets, state of the art phylogenetic comparative approaches in R and mathematical models of range expansion, and will use Queen’s University High Performance Computer KELVIN. While working on important ecological questions and a global challenge, the student will gain a rare set of interdisciplinary skills that increase employability, including cutting edge statistical and mathematical modelling, data management, numeracy, evaluating risk and uncertainty, as well as gaining in depth understanding of fundamental principles in ecology and freshwater science. Through the placement the student will gain better understanding and skills required to inform policy on environmental monitoring and management. References: Capellini I, et al. 2015. The role of life history traits in mammalian invasion success. Ecology Letters 18: 1099-1107. Fraser EJ, et al. 2015. Range expansion of an invasive species through a heterogeneous landscape – the case of American mink in Scotland. Divers. Distrib. 21, 888–900 Samson E, et al. 2017. Early engagement of stakeholders with individual-based modeling can inform research for improving invasive species management: the round goby as a case study. Front. Ecol. Evol. 5, 149 Research Information PhD Supervisors Information on the research interests and activities of academics in Biological Sciences can be accessed via the School website and the Find a Supervisor facility. Career Prospects Introduction Queen’s postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as the DegreePlus/Future Ready Award, bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. Career prospects in the biological sciences are exceptionally good. To some extent it depends on the specific topic, of course, but laboratory-based and especially quantitative skills and the proven innovation of a PhD or MPhil are highly sought after. Degrees are very much in demand, both in commercial science and public sector research and development (e.g. drug discovery and development, crop and animal improvements and welfare, sustainable agriculture and resource use, human nutrition and health, animal health, ecological management, food safety and technology, scientific communications, regulation, and many more fields). Employment after the Course Graduates have gone on to be professional research scientists, consultants, or hold technical and junior executive positions in commerce and government. Learning Outcomes A postgraduate research degree involves the undertaking of independent research under the guidance of a professional academic supervisory team, typically using the laboratory facilities on offer in one or more of the teams’ labs. The student will be expected to develop their own ideas and learn the methods needed to test them empirically and theoretically. This usually involves learning and practising both laboratory (and or field) skills as well as developing a strong theoretical background in the relevant subject. As well as practical work, all the activities of independent academic scholarship, such as literature searching and critical appraisal, written and verbal communications and academic networking will be developed during a research degree. Independence and innovation will be strongly encouraged, but the student will be supported by regular supervisory guidance and a wide range of courses will also be on offer, both in subject specific skills and generic skills, especially supported by the Graduate School (https://www.qub.ac.uk/graduate-school/). Students are encouraged to interact with one another and with members of academic staff and postdoctoral scientists to build confidence and informal learning, through a range of ‘research culture’ activities, including peer groups where students get together to discuss topical research papers, or methods, or just chat about their interests. Course structure Research degrees vary in length, but typically for a PhD they are three or four years long (full-time) and double that for part-time studies. They follow an annual cycle of progress with formal panel-based appraisals of the progress, the outcome of which is typically practical and academic advice about how to overcome problems encountered and how to move to the next stage. During each year, students are expected to supplement their studies with some tailored courses, ranging from highly specific (e.g. learning to use a piece of apparatus or technique) to generic (e.g. developing oral presentation or leadership skills). Every stage is supported by the supervisory team, augmented by an independent panel of progress monitors as well as the full support of the Graduate School. Assessment Assessment processes for the Research Degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present

OVERVIEW The placenta is very diverse among mammal species, but we still know little about how it evolved and what consequences for the mother and the fetus the evolution of a particular placental structure entails. See: Capellini I., Venditti C. & Barton R. A. 2011. Placentation and maternal investment in mammals. American Naturalist, 177: 86-98. Capellini I. 2012. Evolutionary significance of placental interdigitation in mammalian reproduction. Placenta, 33: 763-768. The project aims to understand how maternal-offspring conflict and sibling competition in utero have driven the evolution of placental morphology and determine diversity in placental structure among mammal species. The questions will be addressed by compiling large datasets of species characteristics and analysing the data using state of the art phylogenetic comparative methods. All applicants must meet the academic entry requirements: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/biological-sciences-phd.html#entry BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES OVERVIEW The School of Biological Sciences provides PhD and MPhil (research degree) programmes in subjects ranging from basic biochemistry, molecular genetics and cancer research, to agricultural science, marine ecology and the economic evaluation of ecosystem services and food retailing. If you have a topic or research question in mind, please use the Find a Supervisor link (see Apply tab) to identify the most appropriate member of staff to support your idea. If not, don’t worry, we regularly advertise funded projects and there is no harm in browsing our academic staff profiles for inspiration and then contacting whoever seems best: we are very open to applications from suitably qualified people interested in scientific research. In every case, a PhD or MPhil course provides the means of being part of a cutting edge scientific research team and contributing to genuine new discoveries or the development of new methods for practical use. If you cannot study full time, we offer pro-rata part time research degree programmes as well. There are three broad themes to research at the School: – Agri-Food Systems and Human Nutrition – Understanding Health and Disease – Sustaining Ecosystems and Biodiversity Agri-Food Systems and Human Nutrition: This theme focuses on how Agri-Food systems can be better positioned to provide safe, authentic and healthy diets with high-quality plant, livestock, and aquaculture products, whilst supporting human and animal health in a way that is sustainable and resilient to climactic changes. Underpinning these goals, the disciplinary expertise of the theme integrates basic and applied research from animal health and welfare, nutrition, performance, and environmental and social impact (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions from livestock) to chemical contaminant and natural toxin detection, food microbiology, food fraud detection, and food systems traceability and transparency, integrated into a holistic total systems approach. Supporting by underpinning expertise in cutting-edge molecular, genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic technologies, artificial intelligence and simulation modelling, the goal of the theme is to support the transformation of global Agri-Food systems. This is with the purpose of maximising the benefits both to animal and human nutrition and health, while simultaneously reducing environmental impact, protecting ecological resources, supporting livelihoods and access to affordable safe foods, and upholding social, cultural, and ethical values. A system based on the principles of measurable integrity and impact. Understanding Health and Disease: The Understanding Health and Disease research theme covers humans, plants, and animals with research strengths in prevention, diagnostics, surveillance, epidemiology, and treatments. We study how health can be improved through food and nutrition and how diseases can be tackled by understanding their fundamental molecular mechanisms, including those underpinning the biology of pathogens and parasites. Our researchers work in human cancer and genetic diseases, in infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites, and in how global health and disease will be affected by global warming and climate change. We recognize that the only way to tackle the problems we face as a society is to take an interdisciplinary approach to our research. This means we have expertise in broad areas including molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, genomics, transcriptomics, modelling, bioanalytical chemistry, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiology, parasitology, and plant biology. We work internationally with researchers and partners in universities, charities, non-governmental organisations, industry, and government agencies to tackle local and global challenges. Sustaining Ecosystems and Biodiversity: This theme covers research in biodiversity and ecosystem services for environments ranging from tropical forests to deep oceans, using field techniques and skills such as wildlife tracking, taxonomy, geostatistics, molecular and genetic ecology, environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, food web analysis, microcosm and mesocosm experiments, and mathematical/computational methods. Within this theme we also study the behaviour and temperament of wild, agricultural or domestic animals and their implications for welfare and ability to respond to environmental change. Potential research projects include phylogenetic analysis of rare and newly discovered species, examination of ecological interactions in tropical systems, agricultural soils, or marine communities, using state-of-the-art genetic analysis, surveys using drones or satellite tagging, or experiments in tanks and field plots, including careful and ethical examinations of animal behaviour. Projects range from theoretical analysis of stability in ecosystems, through discovery of new species and mechanisms of interaction, or responses to climate change, to the assessment of agri-environment schemes, development of new methods for commercial fisheries management and economic evaluations of conservation measures. Projects very often have an international dimension and include collaboration with other researchers worldwide. Biological Sciences Highlights Industry Links The School has a wide range of strong, international links with governments, academia and industry, into which postgraduate research students are integrated. World Class Facilities Research students will have access to laboratory space as required (in our state-of-the-art research laboratories) and where relevant, also a range of field study sites and equipment (e.g. remote sensing drone equipment). They also have access to local and campus-wide high performance computing facilities and the full strength of our world-class library. Many students also benefit from the strong collaboration network maintained by our academic staff, which could result in working in the laboratories of partner organisations in industry and government as well as in the University, under specific arrangements. Students studying in the Food Safety and Nutrition programme will gain excellent practical experience of advanced technology and bioanalytical techniques