About the Project
Why do individuals learn, remember and behave differently? Even individuals of the same species, raised in similar environments, can differ strikingly in how they perceive the world, form memories and respond to experience. Yet we still understand surprisingly little about how differences in the genome are translated into differences in brain function and behaviour. One intriguing and understudied source of this individuality is transposable elements. These mobile genetic elements make up a substantial fraction of animal genomes and are powerful generators of genetic diversity. Our previous work has shown that naturally occurring transposons within neural genes can alter transcripts and generate new protein variants, including in genes with important functions in the brain.
Aims
This DPhil project will investigate how naturally occurring genetic variation, with a particular focus on transposable elements, contributes to individual differences in brain function and behaviour. The student will identify genetic variants associated with behavioural differences and determine how selected variants alter the molecular properties of neurons. A central goal will be to establish causal links between genotype, molecular phenotype and behaviour, rather than simply identifying correlations.
The precise direction of the project will be developed together with the student and can reflect their interests and expertise. A student coming from genetics or molecular biology might focus on how transposons alter gene regulation, transcripts or protein diversity in specific neuronal populations. A student coming from neuroscience might instead investigate the molecular basis of learning, memory or other behaviours, and ask how variation in the molecules they identify contributes to behavioural individuality.
Ultimately, we want to understand a fundamental question in biology: how does variation in the genome help create variation between individual brains?
Methods
The project combines genetics, genomics, single-cell transcriptomics, neurobiology and quantitative behaviour. Depending on the questions pursued, the student may use DNA/RNA sequencing and molecular genetics to characterise genetic variants; single-cell transcriptomics to identify their effects in particular neuronal populations; and confocal imaging and connectomics to investigate affected cells and circuits. Candidate mechanisms can then be manipulated genetically in defined neurons and tested using behavioural assays for learning and memory. Our lab routinely combines these approaches and pioneered high-throughput single-cell transcriptomics in the Drosophila brain.
Project code
CT03
Funding
This project is part of the DPhil in Biology programme, and is not a funded course at the University of Oxford; as such, students are expected to explore options for funding. However, we anticipate being able to offer around 6 full graduate scholarships to incoming DPhil students in 2027/28.
You will be automatically considered for several Oxford scholarships, which cover fees and stipend, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by 6 January 2026. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and potential to excel as a DPhil student.
For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit the graduate study information on our website.
Eligibility
For full entry requirements and eligibility information, please see the main admissions page.
How to apply
The deadline for applications for 2027/28 entry is 6 January 2027. We will continue to accept applications submitted after this date, but these late applications will not be considered for scholarship funding.
You can find the admissions portal and further information about eligibility and the DPhil in Biology Programme at the University's graduate admissions page. Please quote the Project Reference Code alongside the title in the 'Proposed field and title of research project, if applicable' field in the application form.
Institution website: https://www.biology.ox.ac.uk/dphil
References
M Choucri, T Rainey, CD Treiber. Transposons contribute to splice-isoform diversity in the Drosophila brain. eLife (2026). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.110625.2 Jovanoski, K.D., Duquenoy, L., Mitchell, J. et al. Dopaminergic systems create reward seeking despite adverse consequences. Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06671-8 Treiber CD & Waddell S. Transposon expression in the Drosophila brain. Genome Research (2020). DOI: 10.1101/gr.259200.119