How does the RNA helicase UPF1 control nuclear gene expression?

School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham

• Supervisor: Dr Saverio Brogna (s.brogna@bham.ac.uk)
• Application deadline: 15 January 2027

This PhD project will investigate how UPF1 coordinates transcription and RNA processing in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. It builds on our 2022 Nucleic Acids Research study, which showed that Upf1 associates with actively transcribed genes and that its loss affects RNA polymerase II occupancy and phosphorylation.

The student will combine yeast genetics with nascent RNA purification and metabolic labelling, coupled with sequencing, to characterise changes in transcription and RNA processing following UPF1 perturbation. These approaches will help distinguish effects on newly synthesised RNA from changes in RNA stability, revealing how UPF1 contributes to nuclear gene expression. Training will include microbial genetics, RNA biology, sequencing and bioinformatics.

The School of Biosciences offers three international PhD scholarships in Microbiology for 2027, generously supported by the Darwin Trust of Edinburgh. Applicants for this project will compete for one of these scholarships, administered through the School of Biosciences. Applicants must not be eligible for UK home tuition fees and must not be graduates of the University of Birmingham. They must meet the University’s academic and English language requirements and the full Darwin Trust eligibility rules.

Apply for PhD in Biosciences FT by 15 January 2027 at https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/subjects/biosciences-courses/biosciences-phd

Name Dr Saverio Brogna as proposed supervisor and indicate the funding source as the Darwin Trust. Include a CV, proof of English language skills meeting University requirements, the Darwin Trust Student application form (completed by the student as their own work), and two academic references.

Research foundation: De et al. (2022), Nucleic Acids Research 50:350-367. https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkab1249