SSA: Investigating how imprinted Grb10 influences brain growth

Grb10基因属于一组被称为“印记基因”的基因。这些哺乳动物特有的基因只通过一个父母拷贝表达--不像大多数其他哺乳动物基因平均从两个继承的父母拷贝中同等表达。因此，印记基因独特的表观遗传地位和功能作用使其成为分子生物学家、神经学家和进化生物学家研究的对象。这个博士项目旨在研究它们的功能作用。众所周知，印记基因集中在哺乳动物功能的关键方面，包括生长。然而，这个博士项目将以Grb10基因为模型，专注于一个未被研究的领域，特别是印记基因在调节大脑生长中的作用。该项目将使用从啮齿动物神经成像、组织学和尖端基因表达分析的技术。具体地说，学生将使用MRI/DTI技术来评估缺乏Grb10父亲副本的小鼠的大脑体积和连接性；检查这些大脑的细胞多样性；并使用RNA-SEQ来研究大脑中不同细胞类型的基因表达的差异。因此，学生将获得以实验室为基础的研究的各种技能，以及广泛的数据分析技术。

The gene Grb10 belongs to a group called the 'imprinted genes'. These mammalian specific genes are expressed from one parental copy only - unlike most other mammalian genes that, on average, are expressed equally from both inherited parental copies. The unique epigenetic status and functional roles of imprinted genes has therefore led to them beings studied by molecular biologists, neuroscientists and evolutionary biologists. This PhD project aims to investigate their functional role. Imprinted genes are known to converge on key aspects of mammalian function, including growth. However, this PhD project will focus on an uninvestigated area, specifically the role of imprinted genes in regulating brain growth, using the Grb10 gene as a model.The project will use techniques ranging from rodent neuroimaging, histology and cutting-edge gene expression analysis. Specifically, the student will use MRI/DTI techniques to assess brain volume and connectivity in mice lacking a paternal copy of Grb10; examine the cellular diversity of these brains; and use RNA-seq to investigate differences in gene expression in different cell types within the brain. Consequently, the student will gain a variety of skills in laboratory-based research, and a broad range of data analysis techniques.