Exploring niche cell–cell communication through alternative splicing (MACAULAY_E26DTP)
Key Details
- Application deadline
- 2 December 2025 (midnight UK time)
- Location
- Earlham Institute
- Funding type
- Competition Funded (Home and International)
- Start date
- 1 October 2026
- Mode of study
- Full time
- Programme type
- PhD
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Project description
Primary supervisor - Dr Iain Macaulay
Cells in the body constantly send and receive messages to coordinate development, maintain health, and respond to disease. Many of these messages are passed through cell surface proteins - receptors and ligands - that allow cells to “talk” to one another.
Recent research shows that the instructions for building these proteins can be edited by cells in real-time through a process called alternative splicing, resulting in different versions (or isoforms) of the same protein with very different functions.
This PhD project will explore how alternative splicing of receptor and ligand proteins changes how cells interact within important biological environments, or niches - specifically in the bone marrow stem cell niche and in tissue-resident immune cells.
Using cutting-edge single-cell long-read RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, you will:
- uncover hidden complexity in how cells communicate,
- build new maps of receptor-ligand interactions with cellular resolution
- help create tools to study these interactions at the isoform level.
The project will be supported by an interdisciplinary team of experts in genomics, immunology, and clinical research, and have access to world-class facilities at the Earlham Institute and Imperial College London.
You will receive training in advanced cell sorting, long-read sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and computational biology - skills in high demand across both academic and applied research settings.
This project is suited to individuals with a curiosity for gene regulation, immune function, and technology development, with long-term relevance for understanding inflammation, autoimmunity, and tissue regeneration.
The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2026 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.
This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 3,4 or 5 February 2026.
Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/.
Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.
To maximise accessibility and attract students from underrepresented groups to our programme we have introduced bespoke templates for applicant Personal and Research statements which will enable every applicant to fully represent themselves through providing suitable examples and evidence. These forms are on the NRPDTP website and must be used for these sections of the application form.
Entry requirements
At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).
Funding
This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2025/6 stipend rate: £20,780), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.
References
A comparison of long-read single-cell transcriptomic approaches
Anita L. Ahlert Scoones, Yuxuan Lan, Charlotte Utting, Lydia Pouncey, Ashleigh Lister, Sofia Kudasheva, Neelam Mehta, Naomi Irish, David Swarbreck, Karim Gharbi, Wilfried Haerty, Adam P Cribbs, David J. Wright, Iain C. Macaulay
bioRxiv 2025.07.03.662955; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.07.03.662955
Perivascular niche cells sense thrombocytopenia and activate hematopoietic stem cells in an IL-1 dependent manner.
Luis TC, Barkas N, Carrelha J, Giustacchini A, Mazzi S, Norfo R, Wu B, Aliouat A, Guerrero JA, Rodriguez-Meira A, Bouriez-Jones T, Macaulay IC, Jasztal M, Zhu G, Ni H, Robson MJ, Blakely RD, Mead AJ, Nerlov C, Ghevaert C, Jacobsen SEW.
Nat Commun. 2023 Sep 28;14(1):6062. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-41691-y.
Single-cell gene and isoform expression analysis reveals signatures of ageing in haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
Mincarelli L, Uzun V, Wright D, Scoones A, Rushworth SA, Haerty W, Macaulay IC.
Commun Biol. 2023 May 24;6(1):558. doi: 10.1038/s42003-023-04936-6.
Panhematopoietic RNA barcoding enables kinetic measurements of nucleate and anucleate lineages and the activation of myeloid clones following acute platelet depletion.
Wojtowicz EE, Mistry JJ, Uzun V, Hellmich C, Scoones A, Chin DW, Kettyle LM, Grasso F, Lord AM, Wright DJ, Etherington GJ, Woll PS, Belderbos ME, Bowles KM, Nerlov C, Haerty W, Bystrykh LV, Jacobsen SEW, Rushworth SA, Macaulay IC.
Genome Biol. 2023 Jun 27;24(1):152. doi: 10.1186/s13059-023-02976-z.