Scholarship: Fully-funded
Degree: Bachelor, Master
Nationality: International Students
Location: USA
Application deadlines: Open
Scholarship Description:
Dr. Jing Yang’s laboratory in the Department of Comparative Bioscience at UIUC is currently recruiting PhD students.
The Yang lab investigates mechanisms governing vertebrate early development using a variety of experimental approaches, including biochemical, molecular, cell biological, genetic, multi-omic, and optogenetic methods. Research is conducted using amphibians like Xenopus, zebrafish, and human cell lines.
The oocyte-to-embryo transition (OET) is a unique developmental process allowing differentiated cells to regain totipotency, crucial for reproduction. During the OET, the entire genome is silenced, regulated solely by post-transcriptional mechanisms. While it’s known that gene expression during the OET depends on the remodeling of cellular organelles and maternal gene products in the oocyte, the precise regulation of these events is not fully understood. We have identified several novel remodeling mechanisms during the OET, including proteasome compartmentalization, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) remodeling, and RNA phase transitions. These events are critical for the maternal-to-zygotic transition and cellular differentiation in early embryonic development.
Our current research focuses on:
- How ER remodeling influences cell fate determination and differentiation during early development.
- The function and regulation of RNA phase transitions during the OET.
Available Subjects:
- Cytoplasmic remodeling during vertebrate oocyte-to-embryo transition (OET)
Eligibility criteria:
- A BS or MS degree in biology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, or other related fields.
- Strong interest in the research topic and a self-motivated attitude.
- Basic knowledge of bioinformatics (R, Python, or Linux) or a strong willingness to learn is a plus.
Application Procedure:
Interested applicants should send a brief statement of interest and curriculum vitae to Dr. Jing Yang (email: [email protected]).
