Project Description

Primary Supervisor - Professor Simone Immler

Scientific background:

Natural environments are changing rapidly as average temperatures rise and heatwaves become more frequent. How species respond will help determine whether populations adapt or decline. Reproduction is especially vulnerable: fertility can be disrupted at temperatures below those that threaten survival, and males are often more sensitive than females.

Heat can also alter the genetic and epigenetic information carried by sperm and eggs. These changes may be passed to offspring and affect how later generations respond to temperature. They are usually assumed to result from direct heat damage to reproductive tissues in exposed organisms.

And alternative idea is that temperature-sensing neurons, without increasing the temperature, can change small RNAs and the activity of transposable elements in the germline. This raises an important question: can sensing heat prepare or protect the germline before damage occurs? This project will test whether the germline responds to perceived as well as actual temperature change, and whether these responses influence future generations.

Methodology:

You will test how zebrafish react to perceived and actual temperature changes, and perform experimental work by training fish and measuring the effects on phenotypic data such as behavioural changes as well as effects of their offspring. You will collect samples for transcriptome sequencing and molecular assays and perform bioinformatic analyses on the resulting data. Multigenerational crosses and fitness assays in juvenile and adult fish will determine whether these changes are inherited, improve survival or reproduction under later heat stress, or carry costs in later generations. Together, these approaches will reveal whether sensing temperature prepares the germline and helps populations adapt to climate change.

Training:

You will gain practical experience in a wide range of skills including animal husbandry and behavioural conditioning, experimental and multigenerational design, and fitness assays in juvenile and adult fish. You will develop molecular and computational skills through quantitative PCR, small-RNA and transcriptome sequencing, statistical analysis and bioinformatics, while building expertise in evolution, genomics, physiology and reproductive biology. Training in scientific writing, presentation and career development will be supported through ARIES courses, conferences, local seminars, research discussion groups and journal clubs.

Person specification:

We seek a curious, motivated and collaborative individual with a background in genetics, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, ecology or a related biological science. Prior experience with model organisms, molecular techniques, quantitative analysis, bioinformatics or programming is desirable but not essential.

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

ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions(opens in a new window). Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.

ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion(opens in a new window) in all areas of its operation. We encourage applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Projects have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, with equal weighting given to experience and potential.

After submitting their application for the relevant ARIES project(s), applicants are expected to complete the ARIES Equality and Diversity Form Applicants - 2027 Entry – Fill in form(opens in a new window).One form is required per application, so applicants applying to more than one project must complete a separate form for each.

Please visit www.aries-dtp.ac.uk(opens in a new window) for further information.

References

Godden, A. M. and Immler, S. (2023). The potential role of the mobile and non-coding genomes in adaptive response. Trends in Genetics 39, 5-8. doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2022.08.006

Godden, A. M. et al. (2025). Environmentally induced variation in sperm sRNAs is linked to gene expression and transposable elements in zebrafish offspring. Heredity 134, 234-246. doi.org/10.1038/s41437-025-00752-2

Harris, I., Duxbury, E. M. L., Chapman, T., Immler, S. and Maklakov, A. A. (2026). Evolutionary trade-offs between intergenerational and transgenerational fitness effects. Evolution Letters, qrag031. doi.org/10.1093/evlett/qrag031

Godden, A. M. et al. (2025). Sex-specific responses of small RNAs and transposable elements to thermal stress in zebrafish germ cells. bioRxiv. doi.org/10.1101/2025.11.15.688619

Teichman, G. et al. (2024). Perception of temperature even in the absence of actual change is sufficient to drive transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. bioRxiv. doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.02.626416

From brain to germline: how perception affects genetic inheritance (IMMLER_UEA_ARIES27)

Welcome to Norwich

Project Description

Entry Requirements

Funding

References