Professor Eamonn Mallon

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Epigenetics is defined as the heritable change in expression of a gene without any change in the DNA sequence. Everything we do - diet, habitat, social interactions, even aging - causes chemical modifications on genes that will turn those genes on or off: epigenetic changes. Many diseases including cancer and Alzheimer's show epigenetic changes between the normal or healthy state.

Professor Mallon’s group research epigenetics in insects, mainly bumblebees and wasps. This is done both as a model of more complicated systems, e.g. humans, and because of insects’ importance to humanity’s survival. For example, insect pollination services are worth 14.2 billion euros to Europe's economy.

Scientific Inspiration

Thomas Huxley. He came from a much more deprived background than his scientific peers, yet through talent and work made a contribution to knowledge.

Research Groups

Social Epigenetics Lab

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Work-life balance. Always focussed on the student’s scientific career. Making the path the goal.

Provision of Training

Initially we will look to see where formal training can fill any holes in your knowledge. After that, the PhD will give you the most important skill, how to develop yourself.

Progression Monitoring and Management

Its your PhD. I have weekly lab meetings, but these are to help iron out problems not as a check on your progression against some arbitrary goal.

Fundamentally, I want you to feel that a good day’s work is success, no matter the outcome. Allowing yourself to only be content when experiments work, will lead to a lot of discontent.

Communication

A quick email or dropping into my office can usually get a meeting that day or at the latest the next day. I tend not to check my email after 6 or on the weekends, so you should not get emails from me outside of work hours (although I do start early!)

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per fortnight

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per month

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per month

These meetings will be a mixture of face to face, via video chat or telephone, and I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Working Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Current Projects (2025-26)

Primary supervisor for:

The Epigenetic Basis of Longevity: Calorie Restriction and Ageing in Nasonia vitripennis

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).

The Epigenetic Basis of Longevity: Calorie Restriction and Ageing in Nasonia vitripennis

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Ko-Fan Chen

University of Registration: University of Leicester

BBSRC Research Themes: Integrated Understanding of Health (Ageing, Diet and Health)

Project Outline

This project will establish Nasonia vitripennis, a parasitic wasp, as a model organism to study the mechanisms of ageing, with a specific focus on the relationship between calorie restriction and epigenetic ageing. We are particularly interested in how changes in DNA methylation—the addition of chemical marks to DNA molecules—impact biological age and lifespan.

Background

Ageing is a complex process, influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Traditionally, chronological age (the number of years an organism has lived) has been used to measure ageing. However, recent research indicates that epigenetic age, which is based on the accumulation of DNA modifications like methylation, may more accurately reflect an individual’s biological age, predicting health and longevity more effectively.

Epigenetic clocks, which use DNA methylation to estimate biological age, have been discovered in various organisms. However, understanding the underlying mechanisms remains challenging. This project aims to explore how epigenetic clocks work and how they might be influenced by lifestyle factors such as calorie intake.

Why Nasonia vitripennis?

While existing invertebrate models of ageing, such as Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) and Caenorhabditis elegans (nematodes), have provided valuable insights into the ageing process, they do not have a detectable DNA methylation system, limiting their utility for epigenetic studies. Nasonia vitripennis, on the other hand, has a functional DNA methylation system, making it an ideal candidate for studying the epigenetics of ageing.

We have discovered an epigenetic clock in Nasonia, marking the first time such a clock has been identified in a tractable insect model. This breakthrough allows us to measure the epigenetic age of individual wasps and track how it changes over time in response to environmental factors like calorie intake.

The Role of Calorie Restriction

Calorie restriction, the practice of reducing calorie intake without causing malnutrition, has been one of the most effective ways to increase lifespan across a wide variety of organisms, from yeast to mammals. In Nasonia, reducing the sugar content of their diet from 30% to 10% has been shown to increase lifespan by approximately 20%.

This project will investigate how calorie restriction affects both the lifespan and epigenetic ageing of Nasonia. Specifically, we hypothesize that:

1. Calorie restriction will slow the rate of epigenetic ageing in Nasonia.

2. The beneficial effects of calorie restriction on lifespan and healthspan (as measured by behavioral assessments) will be disrupted by treatments that reduce DNA methylation, suggesting that the epigenetic clock plays a key role in mediating these effects.

Methods

We will use oxford nanopore sequencing to measure DNA methylation and determine the epigenetic age of Nasonia. In addition, behavioural assays will be conducted to assess healthspan (the period of life spent in good health), while lifespan will be recorded under different caloric restriction conditions. By comparing these results with those of Nasonia subjected to DNA methylation-reducing treatments, we hope to establish a direct link between calorie restriction, epigenetic ageing, and longevity.

Objectives

This project has several key objectives:

To further establish Nasonia vitripennis as a powerful model for studying epigenetic ageing.
To explore the effects of calorie restriction on both chronological and epigenetic ageing.
To investigate the role of DNA methylation in mediating the lifespan and healthspan-enhancing effects of calorie restriction.

Impact and Opportunities

As a PhD candidate, you will gain experience in cutting-edge molecular biology techniques, such as oxford nanopre sequencing, alongside behavioral studies and lifespan analyses. The project will contribute to the growing field of epigenetic ageing, with potential applications ranging from age-related disease prevention to interventions that promote healthy ageing.

Techniques

Techniques that will be undertaken during the project:

This project combines oxford nanopore sequencing of Nasonia, machine learning, RNAi knockdowns of methylation enzymes and high-throughput behavioural analysis, to analyse chronological and epigenetic ageing in calorie-restricted and control Nasonia.

Co-supervisor on a project with Dr Hollie Marshall.

Previous Projects (2024-25)

Primary supervisor for:

Epigenetic ageing and calorie restriction in an insect model system

Previous Projects (2023-24)

Primary supervisor for:

Epigenetic ageing in a model insect