Genetics and Genomics PhD

Research in the field of Genetics and Genomics aims to advance understanding of complex animal systems and the development of improved predictive models through the application of numerical and computational approaches to the analysis of DNA.<br/><br/>This includes analyses and interpretation, modelling, and prediction of complex animal systems at multiple levels, from the sequence and behaviour of DNA and other molecules, through cellular and gene networks, tissues and organs right up to whole organisms and interacting populations of organisms.<br/><br/>The biology and traits of interest include:<br/><br/><br/>- growth and development<br/><br/><br/>- body composition<br/><br/><br/>- feed efficiency<br/><br/><br/>- reproductive performance<br/><br/><br/>- greenhouse gas emissions<br/><br/><br/>- responses to infectious disease<br/><br/><br/>- inherited diseases<br/><br/><br/>Research ranges from basic research in bioscience and mathematical biology to strategic research intended to address grand challenges, e.g. food security.<br/><br/>Research is focussed on, but not restricted to, target species of agricultural importance including:<br/><br/><br/>- cattle<br/><br/><br/>- pigs<br/><br/><br/>- poultry<br/><br/><br/>- sheep<br/><br/><br/>- farmed fish such as salmon<br/><br/><br/>- companion animals<br/><br/><br/>The availability of genome sequences and the associated genomics toolkits enable genetics research in all these species.<br/><br/>Expertise includes:<br/><br/><br/>- genetics (molecular, quantitative)<br/><br/><br/>- physiology (neuroendocrinology, immunology)<br/><br/><br/>- ‘omics (genomics, functional genomics)<br/><br/><br/>- with particular strengths in mathematical biology (quantitative genetics, epidemiology, bioinformatics, modelling)<br/>