A Hostile Niche: How Mutant Blood Stem Cells Damage Their Healthy Neighbours (MISTRY_U27DTP)
Key details
- Application Deadline: 30 November 2026 23:59 UK Time
- Location: UEA
- Funding Type: Competition Funded (Home and International)
- Start Date: 1 October 2027
- Mode of Study: Full-time
- Programme Type: PhD
Project Description
Primary Supervisor - Dr Jayna Mistry
As people age, some blood stem cells acquire mutations that give them a growth advantage over their normal counterparts. Our recent work suggests the mutant cells don't just outgrow their neighbours, they actively reshape the bone marrow around them. This change causes a functional change in the normal blood stem cells skewing their production of the immune cells. This project aims to understand which cells of the blood system are affected and what is happening to the cells at the gene and metabolic level with the overarching aim of understanding if this causes accelerated ageing of the normal blood cells.
The successful candidate will build a broad and transferable skillset: designing flow cytometry experiments across the full blood hierarchy, tissue culture, in-vivo modelling, gene expression profiles by RNA-sequencing, and metabolic assays. They will be fully integrated into a collaborative, well-supported research group spanning stem cell biology and metabolism, with regular lab meetings, journal clubs and opportunities to present their work across the Norwich Research Park and at national and international meetings.
This is a highly interdisciplinary project, ideal for someone with a background in molecular or cell biology, immunology, genetics or a related bioscience discipline, and an interest in stem cell biology or ageing. You will be based in the Mistry and Rushworth Lab at Norwich Medical School, UEA, working alongside expert collaborators at the Earlham Institute and across the Norwich Research Park.
The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2027 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.
This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th February 2027.
Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk
Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. 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).
Funding
This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2026/27 stipend rate: £21,805, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.
References
- Mistry, JJ, et al. (2026) ‘Stromal cell senescence augments haematopoietic cell fitness in clonal haematopoiesis’, Nature Cell Biology Aug;28(8):1656-1670. doi: 10.1038/s41556-026-02025-
- Young, K.A. et al. (2025) ‘Elevated mitochondrial membrane potential is a therapeutic vulnerability in Dnmt3a-mutant clonal hematopoiesis’, Nature Communications, 16(1). doi:10.1038/s41467-025-57238-2.
- SanMiguel, J.M. et al. (2022) ‘Distinct tumor necrosis factor alpha receptors dictate stem cell fitness versus lineage output in dnmt3a-mutant clonal hematopoiesis’, Cancer Discovery, 12(12), pp. 2763–2773. doi:10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-0086.
