Professor Neil Morgan

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Professor Neil Morgan

Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Gene identification of inherited bleeding disorders
Next generation sequencing technologies in human disease gene identification
Platelet and Megakaryocyte Biology of novel disease genes mutated in inherited thrombocytopenia

Research Groups

Birmingham Platelet Group

Genotyping and Phenotyping of Platelets (GAPP)

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: laid-back, supportive, goal-driven.

Provision of Training

I prefer to take responsibility for your technical training at first, leading to more independence later. Your training will be supervised by myself and experienced post docs/PhD students.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I like to be kept up to date, and will expect to see evidence of method development/data generation results on a daily/weekly basis. I have high expectations and will push you to your full potential.

Communication

I am known to email my team/PhD students at all hours of the day and night, however I will not expect you to do the same. The team has a WhatsApp group chat with which we regularly communicate during the week and weekends. Whilst I expect you to keep up with my/ team communications I will expect you to manage your work/life balance.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per week. These meetings will be face-to-face. I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Work Patterns

Certain tasks in my lab need to occur at set times, and students need to be able to commit to a rota/timetable shared with other members of the team.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week's notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Structural and functional characterisation of the novel endoribonuclease SLFN14

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Structural and functional characterisation of the novel endoribonuclease SLFN14

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Alexandre Slater

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes:

Understanding the Rules of Life (Structural Biology, Systems Biology)

Project Outline

The novel hematopoietic-specific SLFN14 endoribonuclease is responsible for general translation control where human SLFN14 missense mutations cause an inherited platelet-based bleeding disorder with significant platelet dysfunction, but the precise mechanism of disease is unknown. To investigate the role of SLFN14 in platelet biogenesis, we will employ biochemical, molecular and cellular biology techniques, and structural analysis via X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Employment of selective inhibitors for the major degradation systems in platelets will reveal the degradation pathway underlying the SLFN14 function/dysfunction. Binding partners of SLFN14 in platelets will be fully characterised using co-IP assays in WT samples followed by mass spectrometry analysis of SLFN14 containing complexes. Novel nanobodies will be raised against SLFN14 and characterised as potential thrombotic targets. We will interrogate the protein structure of wild type SLFN14 and the effect of SLFN14 mutations which can then be selectively targeted therapeutically in patients but also advance our understanding of the role of SLFN14 in MK maturation, platelet biogenesis and ribosomal elimination in newly produced platelets. Overall, this work will provide novel insights into mechanisms underlying SLFN14 and other bleeding disorders, while also identifying pathways regulating platelet function that may be novel targets for the development of anti-thrombotic therapy.

APPLY HERE