Unlocking the Secrets of Ageing: Exploring Epigenetic Clocks in the Jewel Wasp Nasonia vitripennis

About the Project

Why do we age, and can that process be slowed? This project explores one of biology’s most fascinating and urgent questions by studying how tiny insects can reveal universal rules of ageing. The jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis offers a powerful new model for understanding how genes and the environment interact to shape how long and how well organisms live. Unlike traditional models, Nasonia shows dramatic lifespan differences depending on its early-life conditions, making it an ideal species for uncovering the molecular programs that determine ageing.

Our research focuses on epigenetic ageing, which refers to changes in DNA regulation that act like biological clocks ticking inside every cell. In humans, these clocks predict health, disease, and even life expectancy. By building and testing similar “epigenetic clocks” in Nasonia, you will investigate how factors like diet, temperature, and developmental history influence biological ageing at the molecular level.

The project combines laboratory experiments with computational analysis. You will use cutting-edge molecular biology tools to measure DNA methylation (chemical marks that regulate genes), observe behaviour and lifespan using automated video tracking systems, and analyse large datasets to find patterns linking environment, gene regulation, and ageing. Ultimately, this work will help explain why ageing happens differently in different individuals, and how it might be delayed.

This PhD sits at the intersection of genetics, epigenetics, and evolutionary biology. It is ideally suited to students who are curious about the mechanisms of life and motivated by the possibility that understanding how we age could lead to new ways to extend healthy lifespan. You will be part of an active, interdisciplinary team studying the biology of ageing across species, from insects to humans, and contributing to a rapidly growing field with direct biomedical and societal relevance.

You will gain training in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and behavioural analysis using high-throughput ethoscope technology. The project will teach you how to handle large genomic datasets, apply modern statistical and computational tools in R, and communicate scientific findings to academic and public audiences. You will join a supportive research environment that encourages creativity and independence, with opportunities to attend conferences, workshops, and professional development courses through the University of Leicester’s Doctoral College.

This PhD should lead to at least two peer-reviewed publications on the epigenetic and environmental determinants of ageing in Nasonia. You will present your findings at national and international conferences, contribute to collaborative projects within the Epigenetic Ageing research group, and help develop open-access datasets and code for future researchers. The skills gained will prepare you for a career in academia, biotechnology, or translational ageing research, contributing to global efforts to understand and improve healthy lifespan.