Phd Project 10: Characterization of Microrna - Milano, Italia - LongTREC

Descrizione

The human genome encodes a large number of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) with important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.

Their biological roles have been linked to a large number of pathways and biological processes, and their dis-regulation is implicated in numerous diseases such as cancer.

Over the last two decades, the biogenesis of ncRNAs as well as their mechanisms of action have become increasingly clear.

Multiple bodies of evidence indicate that the primary sequence and secondary structure of ncRNAs are important determinants underlying their biological roles.

Furthermore, post-transcriptional editing as well as RNA modifications of ncRNAs are emerging as further regulatory layers affecting their function.

In light of these considerations, it is becoming increasingly important to accurately detect ncRNAs, probe their secondary structure, and to detect post-transcriptional modifications or editing events that affect their sequence.

Nanopore Direct RNA Sequencing is a modern, third-generation sequencing technique that allows full-length sequencing of native RNA molecules, and recent developments of this technique also allow to determine the presence of RNA modifications, 5' m7G cap locations and to probe the RNA secondary structure.

The combination of these features has the potential to reveal fundamental insights on the structure and regulation of native RNAs while at the same time avoiding many of the biases that affected previous sequencing technologies.

Envisioned secondments:
Nanopore, UK (Dr. Aino Jarvelin), Centre de Regulació Genòmica (Dr. Eva María Novoa).


REQUIREMENTS:


Eligibility criteria:

• In all cases, employment will be conditioned to acceptance by the Doctoral school of the associated PhD awarding institution.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:


Application and selection process

Applications must contain the following documents (in pdf):

• CV (including publications, if any),

- a motivation letter,

• 2 reference letters,
• Statement in diversity, inclusion, and sustainability,