The evolution of asymmetric cell divisions through single-cell approaches
- Primary Supervisor: Dr Chema Martin
- Co-supervisor(s): Prof Viji Draviam
- Studentship Funding: Awaiting CSC Funding Decision
- Application Deadline: 28th January 2026
- PhD Programme: PhD Psychology
Project Overview
Asymmetric cell divisions produce two distinct daughter cells and are crucial in multicellular animals, as they drive the formation of specialised cell types. Many marine invertebrates, like molluscs and annelids, employ a unique strategy to create cellular asymmetries: they form a cellular protrusion known as the "polar lobe," which is inherited by only one daughter cell, leading to a distinct developmental fate. Interestingly, this evolutionary innovation has independently arisen in multiple species, making it an ideal system for studying the origins of asymmetric divisions in evolution.
In this project, you will join a larger international consortium funded by the Human Frontiers Science Programme ($1.2m) and, in collaboration with researchers at Stanford University (USA) and Collège de France (France), investigate the developmental role of polar lobes. You will do this by examining time courses of single-cell transcriptomic data during the early development of molluscs and annelids. You will ask three key questions: What are the genes that generate polar lobes? What molecules do polar lobes segregate to produce cellular asymmetries? How have these genes changed over evolution? Answering these questions will allow you to solve a fundamental biological phenomenon – how asymmetric cell divisions originate – at many different levels, from patterns of molecular evolution to gene expression and function.
You will rigorously answer these questions using state-of-the-art computational approaches.
- You will have access to large single-cell transcriptomic and genomic databases and in-house live organisms to fuel your investigation.
- You will be trained in bioinformatics (e.g., single-cell RNAseq analyses), developmental biology (e.g., in situ hybridisation), and microscopy.
- You will be encouraged to develop your ideas and hypotheses.
Research Environment
The Martin-Duran lab (https://www.martinduranlab.com) is a diverse and inclusive research group comprised of eight researchers from all over the world at different career stages. All of us are, however, united by our passion to investigate and discover how animals develop and evolve. We are a multidisciplinary team, with most members combining wet and dry lab approaches. We receive support from various funders, including the European Research Commission, the Wellcome Trust, the UK Research Councils and the Human Frontiers Science Programme. As a PhD student in my lab, you will access a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop critical skills and attributes needed to manage research effectively and prepare and plan for the following career stages. I will provide guidance and training in all practical aspects of the project and encourage you to develop independence and your network of collaborators.
Find out more about the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences on our website.
Keywords: single-cell transcriptomics, bioinformatics, animal larvae, marine invertebrates, annelid worms.
Funding & Eligibility
Queen Mary University of London has partnered with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to offer a joint scholarship programme to enable Chinese students to study for a PhD programme at Queen Mary. Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Applicants must:
- Be applying for CSC funding.
- Be a citizen and permanent resident of the People’s Republic of China and hold a Chinese passport.
- Satisfy all eligibility criteria set out by the CSC and must refer to the CSC website for full details.
- Apply to QMUL by 28th January 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
- Submit ALL required documentation, including evidence of their English Language ability ahead of the CSC application deadline.
CSC application rules differ slightly for domestic applicants (students applying from China) and overseas applicants (students applying from overseas). Therefore, ALL applicants are advised to see the CSC website for full details on eligibility and conditions on the scholarship.
Entry Requirements
We are looking for candidates to have or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree and a Master’s degree in an area relevant to the project such as bioinformatics, developmental and computational biology, and evolutionary biology.
Knowledge of bioinformatics (coding skills, use of command line tools and R) and molecular and developmental biology (e.g., PCR, in situ hybridisation) would be highly advantageous but are not required.
You must meet the IELTS requirements for your course and upload evidence before CSC’s application deadline, ideally by 1st March 2026. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test as soon as possible, where your IELTS test must still be valid when you enrol for the programme.
Please find further details on our English Language requirements page.
How to Apply
Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 28th January 2026 for consideration. Please identify yourself as a ‘CSC Scholar’ in the funding section of the application.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- Your CV
- Personal Statement
- Evidence of English Language e.g.) IELTS Certificate
- Copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates
- References
Find out more about our application process on our SBBS website.
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Dr Chema Martin
Admissions-related queries can be sent to sbbs-pgadmissions@qmul.ac.uk
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the supervisor. If you are successful in your QMUL application, then you will be issued an QMUL Offer Letter, conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements.
Once applicants have obtained their QMUL Offer Letter, they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship with the support of the supervisor.
For further information, please go to the QMUL China Scholarship Council webpage.
Apply online