Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia affect over one in five people worldwide and are a leading cause of disability and early mortality. A common feature across many of these conditions is an altered response to stress, yet the developmental and genetic factors that shape this vulnerability remain poorly understood.
This PhD project will investigate how early brain development influences stress regulation, using zebrafish as a model system. The zebrafish offers unique advantages for studying the developing brain in vivo, including genetic tractability, transparency for live imaging, and conservation of key pathways that control stress and emotion.
Our work has identified that mutations in the psychiatric risk gene Disrupted-In-Schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) alter both brain development and stress hormone responses in zebrafish, suggesting a fundamental role for this gene in shaping stress-regulating circuits of the hypothalamus. Building on these findings, the project will explore how DISC1 and related molecular pathways influence the development and function of neurons that control stress. The project will incorporate a range of approaches, including advanced imaging, molecular genetics, behavioural assays, and bioinformatics.
The student will receive comprehensive training in zebrafish developmental neurobiology and stress physiology, gaining experience in cutting-edge techniques for imaging and genetic manipulation. This work will contribute to understanding how genetic risk factors disrupt brain development to produce altered behaviour, offering insights relevant to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety.
The project would suit students with backgrounds or interests in neuroscience, developmental biology, genetics, or biomedical science, and will provide excellent interdisciplinary research training in a supportive and collaborative environment.
