PhD opportunity

Mechanisms of Protein Phosphatase 1 regulation during oocyte meiosis

Funding availability

Unfunded

Application deadline

31 August 2026

  • Funding – self-funded/externally sponsored applicants   (PhD Fees can be found here)
  • Applications are accepted year round
  • Standard Entry dates – January and September
  • Applicants are expected to have a degree (equivalent of Honours or Masters) in a relevant discipline.

    Meiosis research is of paramount importance for several aspects of human life including fertility, genetic diseases, and crop improvement. Insights into the intricate mechanisms governing the different meiotic stages has come from several organism like yeast, flies, nematodes, plants, and mammals. This diversity has allowed to uncover common and specific mechanisms in place to guarantee the faithful and timely generation of euploid gametes. 

    During meiosis, a single round of DNA replication is followed by two consecutive rounds of chromosome segregation (meiosis I and II) to generate haploid gametes. While homologous chromosomes dissociate in meiosis I, sister chromatid cohesion (SCC) must be maintained until segregation at meiosis II. Protein phosphatases play a key role in the protection of SCC during meiosis I. In the nematode C. elegans, Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1) is the phosphatase involved in SCC protection. Additionally, PP1 regulates meiotic chromosome segregation, and therefore PP1 is essential for the generation of normal (euploid) gametes. 

    Despite its key roles, how PP1 function is regulated during meiosis is very poorly understood. Therefore, our goal in the current project is to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in PP1 regulation during meiotic chromosome segregation. We will focus on understanding 1) the role of the ATPase p97 in regulating PP1 during meiosis; 2) the mechanism of PP1 kinetochore recruitment; and 3) how/why PP1 dysregulation leads to failed meiotic chromosome segregation. 

    We will use a combination of high-resolution time-lapse microscopy together with biochemical approaches and genome editing to reach our goal and in doing so we will achieve a better understanding of the regulation of key events during oocyte meiosis. 

    The present project has three clearly defined objectives which, together, will achieve the overall aim of understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in PP1 regulation during meiotic chromosome segregation.  

     AIM 1. What are the CDC-48 co-factors involved in PP1 regulation? 

    In this aim, the objective is to identify and characterise the adaptors involved in targeting CDC-48 to perform its meiotic function.  

     AIM 2. How is PP1 recruited to prometaphase I meiotic chromosomes? 

    How PP1 is targeted to kinetochore/chromosome during Prometaphase I is not known and does not involve the widely studied kinetochore protein and PP1 interactor, KNL-1. To achieve this, we first need to identify meiosis-specific PP1 interactors.  

    AIM 3. Understanding how PP1 dysregulation leads to failed meiosis  

    The last aim will provide an understanding of what are the vital events regulated by PP1 during meiosis.  

    By characterising the molecular mechanisms involved in PP1 regulation during meiotic chromosome segregation, we will achieve a better understanding of the regulation of key events during oocyte meiosis. 

    Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research.  We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.

How to apply

Please contact the principal project supervisor to discuss your interest further, see supervisor details below.

For general enquiries, contact [email protected]

Supervisors

Principal supervisor

Second supervisor