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PhD on Lysine Methylation, Metabolism and Neuronal DNA Repair

Project 2222 · University of Birmingham · Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences

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Save this opportunity and prepare around its actual requirements. Confirm deadlines and eligibility at the original source.

Read the research report View the recruitment source
Country or region
United Kingdom
Application deadline
2026-11-23 (confirm the exact time with the source)
Funding
Four-year MIBTP competition; Birmingham confirms full international tuition, including the overseas fee gap, plus a tax-free UKRI-rate stipend. Up to 30% of awards in the stated cohort may go to international applicants; the information does not confirm whether the cohort spans the full MIBTP partnership or state this project’s allocation. This is not an individual selection probability. £21,805 is the 2026/27 benchmark; the 2027/28 rate and relocation reimbursement are unconfirmed. Visa/IHS require separate budgeting.

The research opportunity

PhD on Lysine Methylation, Metabolism and Neuronal DNA Repair

Research question and doctoral work

This University of Birmingham project asks how neuronal DNA repair connects with mitochondrial homeostasis and metabolism, and how lysine methylation contributes. The advert does not name the methyltransferase; do not assume it is SETD1A based on the supervisor’s other papers.

The PhD has three linked aims: establish and characterise iPSC-derived neural progenitor/mature-neuron and SH-SY5Y cell models; examine links between methylation and mitochondrial function, localisation and respiration, relating RNA-seq and CUT&Tag findings to functional changes; and use an existing metabolism-focused genetic-screen resource to investigate metabolism, DNA repair and cell viability. Model readiness, maturity and available materials need confirmation. Results in dividing cells do not automatically establish a mechanism in mature neurons. This is basic mechanistic research, not a clinical-treatment project.

University and doctoral training

Birmingham awards the degree through the 166D Cancer and Genomic Sciences MIBTP programme. Warwick coordinates the six-university training partnership; this is not a joint degree or joint employment. The four-year programme includes a research mini-project at another partner, a technical mini-project, an industry placement, and quantitative/interdisciplinary training. Confirm placement logistics and continuity with the main project. MIBTP programme.

Eligibility, application and timing

MIBTP asks for a relevant first or high 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent. A lower 2:1 may be considered with a Master’s degree or at least three years of postgraduate experience; lower grades require exceptional additional evidence. The subject-course page lists IELTS 6.5 overall and 6.0 in each component, with accepted alternatives; admissions must confirm equivalence or exemptions. English evidence may be supplied after the initial application as an offer condition.

The project deadline is 23 November 2026; the exact closing time and time zone are unstated. Entry is expected in October 2027, with interviews expected in late January or early February 2027. Current acceptance has not been verified, so check the portal first. Apply through Birmingham’s dedicated 166D link, selecting this project and its primary supervisor. Required materials are a CV, full academic transcripts showing modules, marks and overall result, and an answer to the research-methods-training question. A research proposal is not required; the mandatory portal field can take a blank document. The personal statement is optional, with N/A accepted. Apply for one project per programme, up to five programmes, in separate applications; submit Warwick’s ED&I form after applying.

Contact primary supervisor Dr Martin Higgs before applying: m.r.higgs@bham.ac.uk. Dr Felix Chan is the second supervisor. For process questions, use uob-mibtp@contacts.bham.ac.uk. Official project and supervisors; Birmingham 2027 project list; MIBTP eligibility and applications.

Funding

This is a four-year BBSRC-supported MIBTP competition. Birmingham confirms full tuition for international award holders, including the overseas fee difference, plus a tax-free UKRI-rate stipend. Up to 30% of awards in the stated cohort may go to international applicants; the information does not confirm whether the cohort spans the full MIBTP partnership or give a project-specific award count. This is not an individual award probability. £21,805 is the 2026/27 stipend benchmark; the 2027/28 rate is unconfirmed. Visa and IHS costs need a separate personal budget, and relocation reimbursement is not confirmed. See the report for dated living-cost references.

Research and application brief

Report generated: . This date does not confirm that recruitment remains open.

Information updated: . Recheck the original notice before applying.

Show report contents

PhD on Lysine Methylation, Metabolism and Neuronal DNA Repair

How do mitochondrial metabolism and DNA repair interact in neurons, and where does lysine methylation enter that relationship? This University of Birmingham project investigates that basic mechanism within the four-year MIBTP competition framework. The project listing gives October 2027 entry and a 23 November 2026 deadline. Martin Higgs is primary supervisor; Felix Chan is secondary supervisor, named on the official project outline and Birmingham 2027 list. Registration is at Birmingham, not Warwick or Edinburgh. International candidates have a viable funded route: Birmingham explicitly covers the overseas tuition difference, alongside the UKRI-rate stipend. This is a non-clinical cellular/genomics project with substantive model-development risk. Official neuronal DNA repair project Birmingham MIBTP 2027 exact projects and application MIBTP 2027 application and eligibility

Research work and unresolved problem

The project asks how a lysine methyltransferase links DNA repair, mitochondrial homeostasis and metabolism in neurons. The advert says the enzyme has neurological/neurodevelopmental associations but does not name it. Higgs's SETD1A papers establish relevant expertise; they do not justify silently identifying the advertised enzyme as SETD1A. Confirm the target and existing evidence before shaping an application. Official neuronal DNA repair project Martin Higgs official university profile Bayley et al. 2022 SETD1A/BOD1L NHEJ Sweatman et al. 2025 SETD1A EME1 transcription

The three aims are to establish and characterise iPSC-derived neural progenitor/mature-neuron and immortalised neuronal models; examine mitochondrial function/localisation and respiration, connecting RNA-seq and CUT&Tag to functional changes; and investigate metabolism–DNA-repair relationships using an existing metabolism-focused genetic library with repair/viability outcomes. The advert names SH-SY5Y models and Seahorse analysis. These are advertised research categories, not evidence that all models are already validated or a reason to add operational protocols. Official neuronal DNA repair project

The key scientific difficulty is separating direct repair regulation from consequences of altered differentiation, growth, mitochondrial state or survival. Findings in dividing cells cannot automatically be extended to postmitotic neurons. Ask how neuronal identity/maturity, biological variation, metabolic effects and repair outcomes will be interpreted together; which models and data already exist; and what a feasible first mechanistic result looks like. These are conceptual evaluation questions. The thesis does not promise a clinical intervention or a complete explanation of all neurological disease. Bayley et al. 2022 SETD1A/BOD1L NHEJ Sharma et al. 2023 HAPSTR1 replication stress Sweatman et al. 2025 SETD1A EME1 transcription

School, subject and doctoral training

Birmingham awards the doctorate, in the 166D Cancer and Genomic Sciences MIBTP programme, Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences/School of Medical Sciences/College of Medicine and Health. Warwick coordinates the six-university partnership. Chan contributes Pharmacy/metabolic-neuroscience expertise; the Centre for Genome Biology connects DNA repair, chromatin and genomic researchers. These links support collaboration without guaranteeing each facility or person's time. QS 2027 ranks Birmingham 68th overall, not this laboratory or its mentoring. Birmingham MIBTP 2027 exact projects and application MIBTP current programme Felix Chan official Birmingham profile Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology Birmingham official university rankings

MIBTP is a four-year training-and-research programme, including a three-month research mini-project at another partner, a three-month technical mini-project, a three-month industry placement, quantitative/interdisciplinary training and cohort masterclasses across six institutions. Placement options and support exist, but students also arrange opportunities. Travel, temporary accommodation, laboratory continuity and any visa restrictions need advance planning. Generic Cancer and Genomic Sciences course duration is three years full-time; it does not override the specific four-year MIBTP route. MIBTP programme FAQ Cancer and Genomic Sciences PhD

The university Doctoral Programme provides tailored skills, community and wellbeing, with PGR career support. Ask for the actual supervision agreement, progress-review timetable, training assessments and arrangements if differentiation or the research plan is delayed. No specific review pass mark or extension funding was independently verified. Birmingham Doctoral Programme Doctoral researcher career support

Supervisors and recent research evidence

Higgs is Associate Professor for Genomics and Rare Disease, Head of Research in the School of Medical Sciences and deputy director of the rare-disease centre. He established his group in 2017 and became associate professor in 2021. His published supervision statement describes initial training by him/experienced researchers, weekly goals, substantial laboratory presence and increasing independence; confirm current individual arrangements rather than treating a website schedule as a contract. Chan is Assistant Professor in Pharmacology at Birmingham, with mitochondrial/metabolic epilepsy expertise; his lab moved from Aston in November 2024. A current jointly supervised student shows collaboration exists, not a completion rate or that this new slot is occupied. Official neuronal DNA repair project Martin Higgs official university profile Felix Chan official Birmingham profile Chan lab people and move

Bayley et al.: 2022 repair regulation

Bayley et al., 2022 Molecular Cell: The existing assessment covered full text and contributions. SETD1A/BOD1L-associated methylation helps recruit RIF1 for DNA-end protection and NHEJ. Complex assembly remains mechanistically debated. Higgs contributed conception, investigation, writing, funding and supervision; Bayley/Borel are central investigators. The studied repair contexts do not establish the neuronal metabolic mechanism. Bayley et al. 2022 SETD1A/BOD1L NHEJ

Sharma et al.: 2023 replication-stress evidence

Sharma et al., 2023 Nature Communications: The existing assessment covered results, discussion and contributions. HAPSTR1 supports BRCA1/Senataxin-associated control of replication-linked R-loops and fork recovery. Higgs's stated contribution is DNA-fibre analysis, while Sharma/Ramlee performed most experiments and Lakin led the corresponding team. A dividing-cell replication result is not direct evidence in mature neurons. Sharma et al. 2023 HAPSTR1 replication stress

Sweatman et al.: 2025 genetic-context dependence

Sweatman et al., 2025 British Journal of Cancer: The existing assessment covered full text and contributions. SETD1A-dependent EME1 transcription links to PARP-inhibitor response in particular BRCA1/ATM-deficient cancer contexts. Higgs co-designed/co-wrote; Sweatman, Bayley and Selemane performed experiments/analysis. Genetic-context dependence and cellular models limit extrapolation to neuronal metabolism or a clinically validated predictor. Sweatman et al. 2025 SETD1A EME1 transcription

These studies support methylation/repair and mechanistic-analysis capacity. The proposed neuronal mitochondrial connection remains the question to answer, not a settled conclusion from those papers.

Funding and living costs

Birmingham’s 2027 MIBTP project list and partnership application guidance confirm full international tuition coverage, with Birmingham funding the difference beyond the UKRI Home contribution. Up to 30% of awards in the stated cohort may be allocated to international applicants; the information does not confirm whether the cohort spans the full MIBTP partnership or give a project-specific award count. This is not an individual award probability. The package includes a tax-free UKRI-rate stipend, research consumables, conference/travel support and laptop use; individual budgets and eligible expenses need confirmation. Visa and IHS require personal budgeting; any relocation reimbursement remains to be confirmed in the award terms. The programme's approximate visa/IHS figure is not a verified current fee quotation. Birmingham MIBTP 2027 exact projects and application MIBTP 2027 application and eligibility MIBTP current programme MIBTP programme FAQ

The stated £21,805/year is the 2026/27 stipend benchmark, not a guaranteed 2027/28 amount. The official living-cost table uses 2025/26 accommodation averages: private shared housing essentials £241–253/week (£12,532–13,156/52 weeks), self-catered halls £268–280/week (£13,936–14,560/year). These totals include accommodation, applicable bills, food and listed essentials; do not add rent twice. They exclude transport, socialising/clothing and immigration/moving costs. Obtain 2027 housing and rotation-accommodation costs before estimating a surplus. Birmingham current living-budget guidance UKRI 2026/27 minimum rates

Applicant fit and preparation

MIBTP seeks a first or high 2:1 relevant undergraduate degree/equivalent. A low 2:1 may qualify with a master's or at least three years' postgraduate experience; lower grades need exceptional additional evidence. This is stricter than simply reading the generic course's 2:1 minimum. Show cellular/molecular biology and interest in quantitative genomics/metabolism, personal research contributions and critical interpretation. The subject course lists IELTS 6.5 overall/6.0 each; Birmingham permits English evidence after initial application as an offer condition, subject to admissions confirmation. Birmingham MIBTP 2027 exact projects and application MIBTP 2027 application and eligibility Cancer and Genomic Sciences PhD

Use the project-specific MIBTP portal link on Birmingham's official list, selecting the advertised research area and copying the exact title and primary supervisor. CV and academic records are required; answer the research-methods-training question. A proposal is not required—a blank document is allowed for the mandatory portal field. The personal statement is optional, with N/A permitted. Complete the separate Warwick ED&I form after submitting. Check any portal-requested referee requirements; the project guidance does not prescribe EASTBIO reference templates. Birmingham MIBTP 2027 exact projects and application

Birmingham allows one project per programme, up to five programmes, with a separate application per project. It rejects a single application listing multiple projects or use of the wrong programme link. This differs from EASTBIO's one-project rule. Contact m.r.higgs@bham.ac.uk before applying, as the project asks; process queries go to uob-mibtp@contacts.bham.ac.uk. Interviews are expected late January/early February 2027. Official neuronal DNA repair project Birmingham MIBTP 2027 exact projects and application MIBTP 2027 application and eligibility

Career and transferable skills

Genomics, cell-model analysis and interdisciplinary quantitative skills can transfer to academic or biotechnology research; this is a skills-based inference, not a lab employment rate. Dedicated PGR career advisers and placements help exploration without guaranteeing a job.

Next actions and questions

Clarify the unnamed enzyme, model readiness, the first-year/main-project sequence and how Higgs/Chan share daily and metabolic supervision. Discuss how repair and metabolic effects will be distinguished, available statistical/core support and fallback scope. Before accepting, obtain the 2027 stipend, overseas-fee commitment, consumables/placement travel provisions, review rules and writing/extension arrangements. MIBTP programme FAQ Doctoral researcher career support

References

The project page lists a 23 November 2026 deadline and October 2027 entry, but does not name the methyltransferase or establish model readiness, the exact portal cutoff/time zone or current acceptance. Cost examples are dated planning references, not 2027 personal quotations; relocation reimbursement depends on the individual award terms.

Project, funding and applications

Supervisors, subject and papers

Training, careers and costs

Sources

The listing may come from a university or recruitment platform. Check the notice and official sources in the report for current application requirements. View the recruitment source

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