Interrogating the spatial dynamics of gene regulatory networks during embryonic development and disease

Summary The aims of this project are to first, reconstruct developmental GRNs at single-cell and spatio-temporal resolution by integrating mining bulk, single-cell, spatial transcriptomics and epigenomic datasets with imaging data. Second, the GRNs will then be mined to identify region- and time-specific developmental circuits that if perturbed, would lead to specific forms of congenital defects.

Project Details

The successful formation of an embryo relies on the precise deployment of gene regulatory network (GRNs) that direct genes to be expressed at the right time and at the right place in the developing embryo. Any perturbation in GRNs will disrupt the developmental program, and lead to babies born with congenital defects. Therefore, in order to understand the origin of congenital disease, it is imperative to first resolve the embryonic GRNs, and understand which genes are expressed where and when during embryogenesis.

Spatially-resolved -omics technologies have revolutionised our capability to capture information about which genes are present in which area of a developing organ at an unprecedented spatial resolution. Our laboratory is a pioneer in generating, analysing, mining and visualising spatially-resolved transcriptome data as exemplified by the generation of the first 3D-transcriptional map of the mammalian heart: 3d-cardiomics.erc.monash.edu

The aims of this project are to first, reconstruct developmental GRNs at single-cell and spatio-temporal resolution by integrating mining bulk, single-cell, spatial transcriptomics and epigenomic datasets with imaging data. Second, the GRNs will then be mined to identify region- and time-specific developmental circuits that if perturbed, would lead to specific forms of congenital defects.

The candidate is expected to have strong bioinformatics, computational, statistical, mathematical training or equivalent, with a strong interest in biological processes and will be based at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.