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Title
Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z
Category
graduate
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9e3abb10248b4078a9a6f5c614e1bcd1
Source URL
https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/systemsbiology/
Parent URL
https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/
Crawl Time
2026-03-11T06:02:45+00:00
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Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z

Source: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/systemsbiology/ Parent: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/

Postgraduate research

Systems Biology PhD/MSc (Research)

Systems biology emphasises a multi-level, integrative approach to understanding how living organisms work. With our close links to the polyomics facility, we apply a full range of post-genomic technologies to aid our understanding.

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Research projects

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Decoding Temporal Windows for Mitochondrial Intervention Across Species Using Data-Driven Approaches (available as IPhD)

Supervisor:Alberto Sanz

MSc choices: Biomedical Sciences, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Immunology & Inflammatory Disease, Medical Genetics & Genomics, Precision Medicine.

Project description:

Mutations in genes encoding mitochondrial OXPHOS components often cause devastating diseases. Paradoxically, lifespan can be extended in worms, flies, and mice by partially impairing mitochondrial function. Why this occurs remains poorly understood. The Sanz laboratory has revealed that the timing of mitochondrial dysfunction is critical—similar interventions produce opposing outcomes depending on when they are applied. This project aims to systematically identify conserved patterns that explain this temporal dependency.

We will analyse RNAseq and proteomics datasets from Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, Mus musculus, and Homo sapiens, comparing short- and long-lived species. We will assess mRNA and protein expression across tissues and developmental stages, quantifying correlations between transcript and protein levels. Using machine learning, we will identify conserved expression profiles that predict lifespan outcomes.

Guided by these insights, we will use state-of-the-art genome editing in Drosophila to modulate mitochondrial function with spatiotemporal precision, targeting specific tissues and developmental windows to generate new long-lived flies.

By uncovering the timing and location rules that govern mitochondrial influence on longevity, this work will establish a foundation for future interventions to extend human healthspan.

Techniques:

References:

  1. Developmental mitochondrial complex I activity determines lifespan. Stefanatos R, Robertson F, Castejon-Vega B, Yu Y, Uribe AH, Myers K, Kataura T, Korolchuk VI, Maddocks ODK, Martins LM, Sanz A. EMBO Rep. 2025 Apr;26(8):1957-1983
  2. NLRP1 inflammasome promotes senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Muela-Zarzuela I, Suarez-Rivero JM, Gallardo-Orihuela A, Wang C, Izawa K, de Gregorio-Procopio M, Couillin I, Ryffel B, Kitaura J, Sanz A, von Zglinicki T, Mbalaviele G, Cordero MD. Inflamm Res. 2024 Aug;73(8):1253-1266.
  3. Autophagy promotes cell survival by maintaining NAD levels.\ Kataura T, Sedlackova L, Otten EG, Kumari R, Shapira D, Scialo F, Stefanatos R, Ishikawa KI, Kelly G, Seranova E, Sun C, Maetzel D, Kenneth N, Trushin S, Zhang T, Trushina E, Bascom CC, Tasseff R, Isfort RJ, Oblong JE, Miwa S, Lazarou M, Jaenisch R, Imoto M, Saiki S, Papamichos-Chronakis M, Manjithaya R, Maddocks ODK, Sanz A, Sarkar S, Korolchuk VI.\ Dev Cell. 2022 Nov 21;57(22):2584-2598.e11.
  4. Mitochondrial ROS signalling requires uninterrupted electron flow and is lost during ageing in flies. Graham C, Stefanatos R, Yek AEH, Spriggs RV, Loh SHY, Uribe AH, Zhang T, Martins LM, Maddocks ODK, Scialo F, Sanz A. Geroscience. 2022 Aug;44(4):1961-1974.
  5. Mitochondrial complex I derived ROS regulate stress adaptation in Drosophila melanogaster. Scialò F, Sriram A, Stefanatos R, Spriggs RV, Loh SHY, Martins LM, Sanz A.Redox Biol. 2020 May;32:101450.

Overview

Systems Biology draws on the strengths of molecular and cell biology to try to build an integrative picture of how organisms work. Implicit in the approach is big data (coming from imaging, microarray, RNAseq, proteomics or metabolomics, for which we are very well equipped), together with mathematical and computational biology to draw higher-level insights. Systems biology also works very well with genetic model organisms, such as yeast, Drosophila or Arabidopsis; or in human biomedicine.

Through their research interests in drug development, biotechnology and clinical applications, many of our project supervisors have strong links with pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry. The interdisciplinary nature of systems biology means that these highly active supervisors have international collaborations both with other Universities and industry. Funds are available through the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences to allow visits to international laboratories where part of your project can be carried out. This provides an excellent opportunity for networking and increasing your scientific knowledge and skill set.

Research topics are allied to ongoing research within the School, the majority of which are basic science projects. A variety of multi-disciplinary research approaches are applied, including biochemistry, molecular biology, molecular genetics, materials science, polyomics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics etc), bioinformatics, structural biology, microscopy and imaging techniques. Specific areas of interest include:

Study options

PhD

Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators.

MSc (Research)

Entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.

English language requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

Pearsons PTE Academic

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

Oxford ELLT

LanguageCert Academic SELT

Password Skills Plus

Trinity College Tests

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Alternatives to English Language qualification

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

Fees and funding

Fees

2026/27

Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

Alumni discount

We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, Exchange programme, International Summer School or Erasmus programme with us. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships. No additional application is required.

Possible additional fees

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

Sanctuary Scholarship

The University of Glasgow Sanctuary Scholarship has been created to support applicants with Refugee or Asylum Seeker status who are currently living in the UK.

Support

The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences Graduate School provides a vibrant, supportive and stimulating environment for all our postgraduate students. We aim to provide excellent support for our postgraduates through dedicated postgraduate convenors, highly trained supervisors and pastoral support for each student.\  \ Our overarching aim is to provide a research training environment that includes:

Resources

We offer a wide range of cutting-edge research facilities that span 3 buildings, including:

How to apply

Identify potential supervisors

All postgraduate research students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You must identify a potential supervisor supervisor from the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.

Supervisor search

Research projects

If you are interested in a research project listed above, please include the title on your application.

Gather your documents

Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:

  1. Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
  2. Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
  3. Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. References may be uploadedas part of the application form or you may enter your referees' contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference.
  4. MVLS cover letter must be completed and uploaded with a copy of your CV.

Apply now

Contact us

If you require assistance before you apply: mvls-gradschool@glasgow.ac.uk

After you have submitted your application: Admissions Enquiries form

Our research environment

Induction

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