Dr Robert Mukiibi

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare, Harper Adams University

Scientific Background

Research Interests

I am an enthusiastic geneticist with extensive analytical experience and skills in quantitative genomics, functional genomics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and their application to improve production efficiency and welfare of farmed animals through selective breeding. My research interest resonates around the employment of different cutting-edge tools in quantitative and functional genomics to dissect the genetic architecture of complex traits that have economic and welfare consequences in farmed animal species to sustainably enhance production output.

Scientific Inspiration

Charles Darwin

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Supportive, collaborative and guiding towards a defined expected outcome

Provision of Training

I prefer identifying your technical and research skills strengths and weaknesses first and then we build on enhancing your strengths as well as work on overcoming your weaknesses through the PhD program. I will provide you with the basic training in the methods and techniques needed in your PhD program, but I expect you to develop additional skills outside of my training along the PhD program.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I am fine for you to strongly rely on me and other members of the group at the start of the program but I expect you to gain independence as you progress in your PhD program. We will set out our monthly expectations and deliverables at the start of every month. You are welcome to consult with me on any matter or idea relating to your PhD work during your program.

Communication

I tend to email my team/PhD students at all hours of the day and night, however I will not expect you to do the same. I am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential or my/our expectations.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per week. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I have an open door policy, but my pattern of being contactable for an instant response is not predictable.

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 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Investigating the epigenetic background of response and resistance to cardiomyopathy disease in farmed Atlantic salmon

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).

Investigating the epigenetic background of response and resistance to cardiomyopathy disease in farmed Atlantic salmon

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Tharangani Herath

University of Registration: Harper Adams University

BBSRC Research Themes:

Sustainable Agriculture and Food (Animal Health and Welfare)

Project Outline

Despite the steady growth of the Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry, there are major challenges especially infectious diseases that cause significant levels of losses to the producers due to mortalities and retarded growths. Cardiomyopathy Syndrome (CMS) is an economically important viral disease to the salmon industry affecting adult fish resulting in sudden deaths of the infected fish. Despite the economic impact of the disease, controlling it remains a challenge as there are no efficient vaccines or therapeutics against the diseases, and currently being managed through biosecurity measures and selective breeding. Currently, there are efforts to decipher the molecular background of resistance and response to CMS via genome-wide association studies and transcriptomic studies that have identified potential genetic elements associated to the disease. Understanding the molecular background of resistance and response to CMS offers opportunity to refine and enhance selective breeding for resistance to CMS, and also avails opportunity for development of therapeutics against the disease. The epigenome is an important component, contributing to phenotypic variation of complex traits such as disease resistance via modulation of gene expression. Hence, understanding the epigenetic background of response and resistance to CMS could contribute improvement the current selective breeding tools as well as development of more effective vaccines and therapeutics against the disease. In the current study we aim to identify epigenetic signatures associated with response and resistance to CMS in farmed salmon. The study will profile chromatin accessibility and DNA methylation alterations in key immune tissues and the heart, as a response to CMS infection in fish from a challenge study from a commercial breeding population. Finally, we will perform transcriptome profiling on the of the same tissues to relate the impact of epigenomic alterations to transcriptome changes.

Co-supervisor on projects with: Dr Ellen Williams, Dr Tharangani Herath