Project description

This project aims to determine how hybridisation and polyploidisation independently and jointly shape transcriptional evolution in Miscanthus hybrids, and to investigate how regulatory, epigenetic, and structural mechanisms contribute to the balance or dominance among subgenomes.

Miscanthus is a notable bioenergy crop, capable of growing on marginal land and contributing to carbon emission reduction. However, the main commercial variety is a naturally sterile triploid hybrid limiting opportunities for improvement through traditional breeding.

This project aims to understand how hybridisation and genome duplication (ploidisation) affect gene regulation and stability, with the goal of developing new, fertile Miscanthus hybrids that can accelerate efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Hybridisation and polyploidisation often trigger genomic shock, a range of regulatory and structural instabilities, including structural variation, shifts in subgenome dominance, and epigenetic reprogramming.

This project will explore transcriptional changes in both natural and synthetic Miscanthus hybrids across different ploidy levels, focusing on how genome merging alters gene expression, subgenome contributions, and epigenetic regulation over evolutionary time and under stress conditions.

You will perform controlled glasshouse experiments with Miscanthus genotypes, in collaboration with colleagues in IBERS-Aberystwyth. You will generate and analyse RNA-seq and DNA methylation data to measure homoeolog-specific expression, identify non-additive expression patterns, and examine epigenetic and structural signatures associated with genome dominance.

Transposable element distribution and activity will also be analysed using long-read sequencing. This project is primarily computational and offers comprehensive interdisciplinary training in plant genomics, bioinformatics, and statistical modelling, as well as practical skills in horticulture, experimental design, and data analysis.

Working in the De Vega Lab at the Earlham Institute and collaborating closely with researchers at IBERS, you will have access to cutting-edge computational infrastructure and a fully equipped molecular laboratory.

You will be part of a well-supported PhD and Postdoctoral community, with expert supervision and strong peer support throughout.

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

Mitros et al (inc. De Vega and Farrar). (2020). Genome biology of the paleotetraploid perennial biomass crop Miscanthus. Nat. Commun. 11, 1–11.

De Vega, J.J., Teshome, A., Klaas, M., Grant, J., Finnan, J., and Barth, S. (2021). Physiological and transcriptional response to drought stress among bioenergy grass Miscanthus species. Biotechnol Biofuels 14, 60. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-021-01915-z.

De Vega, J.J., Peel, N., Purdy, S.J., Hawkins, S., Donnison, L., Dyer, S., and Farrar, K. (2021). Differential expression of starch and sucrose metabolic genes linked to varying biomass yield in Miscanthus hybrids. Biotechnol. Biofuels 14, 1–15.

Qiu, T., Liu, Z., and Liu, B. (2020). The effects of hybridization and genome doubling in plant evolution via allopolyploidy. Mol. Biol. Rep. 47, 5549–5558. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-020-05597-y

Giraud, D., Lima, O., Rousseau-Gueutin, M., Salmon, A., and Aïnouche, M. (2021). Gene and Transposable Element Expression Evolution Following Recent and Past Polyploidy Events in Spartina (Poaceae). Front. Genet. 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2021.589160

Understanding genome evolution in Miscanthus hybrids for sustainable bioenergy (DE-VEGA_E26DTP)

Project description

Entry requirements

Funding

References