Characterising molecular determinants of cell responses in melanoma using genome editing and single-cell technologies
- Primary Supervisor: Dr Elena Torlai Triglia
- Co-supervisor(s):
- Studentship Funding: Awaiting CSC Funding Decision
- Application Deadline: 28th January 2026
- PhD Programme: PhD Biological Sciences
Project Overview
Cancer develops from the accumulation of alterations in the DNA sequence and structure, that ultimately determine the disease manifestations observed in patients. The ability to understand how each DNA alteration disrupts cell behaviour, ultimately impacting disease development, would support the design of more effective therapies. Skin cutaneous melanoma is a particularly challenging tumour type for the identification of genotype to phenotype relationship. Each patient bears intricate mutation profiles due to sunlight-induced damage, which makes it complex to discern the impact of individual mutations by comparing patients’ samples: they differ in many ways, not all driving the disease. Beyond mutations, epigenetic alterations characterise melanoma development. However, it is still unclear how DNA sequence and structure shape cell behaviours and disease features. The student will combine experimental and computational approaches to shed light on the connections between DNA sequence and accessibility and molecular phenotypes in melanoma. In particular, the project will leverage novel human cell models of melanoma (Hodis*, Torlai Triglia* et al., 10.1126/science.abi8175), genome editing, and genomic tools to study (epi)genotype-to-phenotype relationships in this disease. The specifics of the projects will be tailored to the student’s interests and will be discussed during the interview.
The student will be part of the Torlai Triglia lab (https://ettlab.science). We are a recently-established group within the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences (SBBS) at QMUL. Our goal is to causally connect DNA alterations with molecular and cell phenotypes during disease development to identify actionable targets for personalised therapies, through a combination of experimental and computational tools. As part of our team, you will master interdisciplinary skills in computational and molecular/ cell biology.
Research Environment
You will be based at the Blizard Institute, a state-of-the-art research centre in east London (Whitechapel). Through this project, you will develop your research and communication skills, and your network. QMUL ranks 14th in the world for research quality (THE World University Ranking 2024). SBBS and the Blizard have a history of research excellence; we offer a multi-disciplinary scientific environment and host >200 postgraduate students working on projects across biomedical, biological and psychological sciences. Our students have access to cutting-edge facilities and are supported by experienced staff, as well as by a range of support services.
The ETT lab is part of a collaborative hub of researchers. We are affiliated with the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology and the Centre for Evolutionary and Functional Genomics within SBBS. We are core members of the cross-faculty QMUL Centre for Epigenetics. Moreover, we are associated with the Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, and with the Digital Environment Research Institute. Visit our website to find out more: https://ettlab.science
Find out more about the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences on our website.
Keywords: Cancer development; Genome editing; Single-cell technologies; Genotype-to-phenotype; Epigenetics; Melanoma
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 Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, or Biomedical Sciences.
Knowledge of molecular biology/ genomic techniques, genome editing, cell culture, and/ or data analysis experience would be advantageous but is 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 Elena Torlai Triglia
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