Version 2
Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
PhD Project Template
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Use one form per project
Please complete & submit to international@nuigalway.ie as soon as possible, and by 27/11/2012
In your email, begin the subject line with [SWB] (be sure to use square brackets) to ensure that
your email is filed correctly. Emails will be automatically filed
PI name & contact details:
School:
Dr. Uri Frank
uri.frank@nuigalway.ie
School of Natural Sciences
Has project been agreed with head (or
nominee) of proposed registration school?
Yes
Research Centre / group affiliation:
Regenerative Medicine Institute
Research group / centre website:
www.remedi.ie
PI website / link to CV:
www.nuigalway.ie/frank
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
If you are already involved in relevant scholarly activities relating to Brazil, please mention them here.
Stem cells are units of development and regeneration. Because these cells are relatively inaccessible
in adult mammals, we use the cnidarian Hydractinia (a relative of corals, sea anemones and
jellyfishes) as a model to study stem cells in the intact animal. Using transgenic animals, gene
knockdown approaches and cell transplantation we study how stem cells maintain pluripotency and
how they 'decide' to become specialized cells such as neurons and muscles.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Early development and acquisition of cellular commitment in Hydractinia
During development, embryonic cells proliferate and progressively become committed to specific
lineages. In most cases, these decisions are hierarchical, with cells committing first to germ layers
(e.g. ectoderm, endoderm), followed by specific cell type differentiation. The proposed project will
investigate the molecular events that determine the first cellular decisions in development: which
genes are crucial to specify cellular identity? The student will use molecular biology techniques,
establish transgenic animal lines, and perform gene expression analyses, flow cytometry, and
advanced microscopy.
Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway:
The proposed project will utilize a unique genetic model organism that allows one to perform
exciting experiments at a cellular resolution in the intact animal. Such approaches are not feasible in
any of the common model organisms. State-of-the-art techniques will be used by the student during
the project, and high flexibility is allowed to accommodate the student's own personal interest. The
research will be carried out in the new biomedical building at NUI Galway, providing a unique crossdisciplinary environment and modern facilities.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Version 2
Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Biochemistry;
Cell biology;
Molecular biology;
Biomedical science;
Biotechnology;
Genetics/ molecular genetics.
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)/Physical Sciences (Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences)
Health and Biomedical Sciences / Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences
X
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Computing
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Sustainable Agricultural Production
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals, Minerals Technology
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters
Bioprospecting and Biodiversity
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders
arrangements):
Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): Y
Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): _N___
Suitable for either/Don’t know: