- Vacancy Reference Number
- UKSG2018
- Closing Date
- 31 Jul 2018
- Salary
- SGD2500
- Address
- University of Sheffield,UK, and Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore.
- Duration
- 4 years
A fully funded PhD studentship is available to work on interactions between visual and olfactory systems in zebrafish. This is a collaborative project between Anton Nikolaev’s lab in the University of Sheffield and Suresh Jesuthasan’s lab in the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Singapore.
Background
Behavioural decisions are often based on the simultaneous input from different sensory modalities. For example, recognition of objects, estimation of their speed and position, depends on information coming from visual, olfactory and auditory systems. It is yet unclear how different sensory modalities interact and influence each other to achieve more reliable outcome. The main aim of the proposed PhD project is to address how processing of visual information is affected by the olfactory input using zebrafish larvae as a model organism. Using a combination of behavioural techniques, 2-photon imaging of neuronal activity and advanced data analysis, you will study how the tuning properties of visual neurons in zebrafish are affected by the olfactory neurons responsible for detection of various behaviourally relevant odours.
The objectives of the project are:
1. To define whether behaviourally relevant odours affect activity of the retinal neurons
2. To define how behaviourally relevant odours shape visual tuning properties of the tectal neurons
3. To define whether habenula is involved in regulation of visual tuning properties by the olfactory system
Eligibility
The project is for students with biological, engineering or physical sciences background with 1st or 2:1 Bachelor’s degree from UK University or an equivalent. The position is for UK/EU citizens only. You must also be willing to travel: in the first half of the study you will work under supervision of Dr. Nikolaev in Sheffield and then move to Singapore to work under supervision of Dr. Jesuthasan. All travel expenses will be covered.
Further Information
https://www.a-star.edu.sg/Scholarships/For-Graduate-Studies/A-STAR-Research-Attachment-Programme-ARAP
https://sureshj7.wixsite.com/website
http://www.lkcmedicine.ntu.edu.sg/Research/Research-Themes/Pages/Neuroscience-Mental-Health.aspx
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/bms/research/nikolaev
Contact Details
sureshjj@imcb.a-star.edu.sg
