Primary Supervisor - Dr Anders Bergstrom
Mosquitos can be seen as tiny, autonomous samplers of blood from wild animals. It is well-established that mosquito blood meals contain animal DNA, as well as DNA from animal pathogens. Current environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques are routinely applied to blood meals to survey species presence and absence, but these techniques only make use of a tiny fraction of an organism's genome. This project will go far beyond species detection, and pioneer the sequencing of whole animal genomes from blood meals.
The project will make use of hundreds of collected blood meals with species presences already determined, to address fundamental biological questions about blood meal DNA, and push forward technologies for recovering genomic information from these samples:
- Objective 1. Improve methods to efficiently sequence genomes from blood meals: evaluating and developing protocols for efficient extraction and Illumina sequencing of blood meal DNA, including protocols from the field of ancient DNA.
- Objective 2. Uncover the molecular properties of blood meal DNA: characterising the degradation, damage patterns, and epigenetic information in blood meal DNA, including the use of Nanopore sequencing
- Objective 3. Use blood meal genomes to survey genetic diversity of animals and pathogens: recovering whole genomes from animals to learn about population structure, genetic relatedness, pathogen transmission dynamics, and more.
The student will receive broad training in molecular biology experiments, genomics technologies, bioinformatics, metagenomics, and population genetics. They will develop both wet-lab and computational genomics skills with wide applicability across the life sciences. The student will take part in journal clubs and departmental seminars, present their work at conferences, and strengthen their abilities in critical thinking and science communication.
The ideal candidate will have a background in biology (e.g. genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, evolutionary biology, biotechnology) and have strong interests in molecular biology lab work, genomics, evolution and data analysis.
The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2027 entry. The programme offers the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study.
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th February 2027.
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).
Start date
1 October 2027
Additional Funding Information
Note – use this field to provide related salary info e.g. plus London Allowance
This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. Studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), stipend to cover living expenses (2026/27 rate: £21,805, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 pa for each year of the studentship.
