Structural basis for error correction during cell division
- Primary Supervisor: Dr Vladimir Volkov
- Co-supervisor(s): Dr Aravindan Ilangovan
- Studentship Funding: Awaiting CSC Funding Decision
- Application Deadline: 28th January 2026
- PhD Programme: PhD Biological Sciences
Project Overview
Errorless cell division requires attachments between kinetochores and the microtubule ends of the mitotic spindle to be regulated in a precise way. On the one hand, these attachments must be dynamic to enable correction of errors, on the other hand they must be stable enough to ensure segregation of properly attached chromosomes. The established error-correction mechanism involves (de)phosphorylation of microtubule-binding proteins: phosphorylation to weaken, dephosphorylation to strengthen the attachment. However, it is poorly understood how do kinetochores “know” which treatment to apply?
Understanding this regulation in detail is challenging because of the high degree of multivalency at the human kinetochore: in each of them about 10 microtubule ends interact with a few hundred copies of microtubule-binding protein complexes, such as the Ndc80 and Ska complexes. We recently described that cooperative homo- and heterotypic interactions between these complexes promote microtubule end stabilization. This project focuses on a hypothesis that alignment (oligomerisation) of microtubule-binding molecules creates a composite binding site that is recognized by a “reader” of the proper attachment state within the kinetochore. You will use cryoEM and cryoET to resolve the structures of microtubule-bound oligomers of kinetochore protein complexes assembled using recombinant and endogenous components.
Research Environment
We are a small and collegiate research group, please find the information about current members on our website: www.volkovlab.com. We are located in the Biochemistry Department of SBBS, with access to all necessary research infrastructure. In particular, we take advantage of Protein Production facility and Insect Cell facility to express and purify high-quality protein complexes. We also use cutting-edge fluorescence microscopes located at the Centre for Cell Dynamics, including a TIRF/FRAP microscope, and a super-resolution SIM microscope. We use the cryoEM facility on campus to prepare grids, and we have access to Titan Krios with a K3 direct electron detector via the LonCEM consortium. The PhD student will be trained by the PI and the group members in all techniques relevant for the project.
Find out more about the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences on our website.
Keywords: microtubule, kinetochore, cell division, cryoEM, cryoET
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 Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Neuroscience or a related discipline.
Knowledge of molecular cloning techniques, protein biochemistry, structural biology or microscopy methods would be highly advantageous. The project involves software tools for image analysis, and thus experience with python/shell/MatLab scripting, or software packages for cryoEM will help getting up to speed quickly.
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 Vladimir Volkov
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