WorkInCharities LogoWorkInCharitiesConnect with a cause that needs you!
Sign in
The Francis Crick Institute Limited

Unravelling gut remodelling in female tsetse flies

lab of Irene Miguel-Aliaga's labFull-timeClosing 6th October 2026
Apply now

About the role

Unravelling gut remodelling in female tsetse flies

Key information

This sandwich placement will be based in the lab of Irene Miguel-Aliaga's lab.

Project summary

Tsetse flies (Glossina sp.) are the only known vector of African trypanosomes, which cause sleeping sickness in humans and Nagana mainly in cattle and wild ungulates. Besides their importance on human health, tsetse flies are of great interest because instead of laying eggs -like the majority of insects-, they reproduce by obligate viviparity. In this case, each female carries a larva in utero and provides nourishment throughout its development, limiting their reproductive capacity and making them a great target for vector control. Our previous work in fruit flies and mice has shown that the gut is different in males and females and that the female gut is able to grow to sustain reproduction. However, little is known about how reproduction affects organ physiology in a viviparous model.

This project aims to investigate the physiological and molecular changes that occur in female tsetse flies following mating, with a focus on the gut. The project will involve optimising different techniques in tsetse flies such as RNAi, DIPA-CRISPR, SYNCAS and/or ReMOT to target different genes of interest identified through RNA sequencing. By establishing and refining these cutting-edge tools in tsetse flies, we aim to examine how specific genes regulate gut changes over time and in response to mating. The candidate will contribute to the early stages of this project and will be involved in several of the following tasks:

  • Analysing the annotated sequences of target genes
  • Design dsRNA constructs and gRNAs to target the genes of interest
  • Optimising gene-targeting techniques (RNAi, DIPA-CRISPR, SYNCAS and/or ReMOT) in tsetse flies to functionally characterise genes of interest
  • Validating gene expression changes using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and/or genotyping

The candidate will also be able to watch and learn how to rear and dissect tsetse flies.

Candidate background

The post holder should embody and demonstrate the Crick ethos and ways of working: bold, open and collegial. The candidate must be registered at a UK Higher Education Institution, studying in the UK and must have completed a minimum of two years’ undergraduate study in a relevant discipline, and on track to receive a final degree grade of 2:1 or 1. In addition, they should be able demonstrate the following experience and key competencies:

  • This project would suit a candidate studying Biology, Biomedical Science, Zoology, Genetics, or a related Life Science field. Some knowledge of molecular biology would be an asset
  • Good knowledge in relevant scientific area(s)
  • Good written and spoken communication skills
  • Ability to work independently and also capable of interacting within a group

References:

  1. Ameku, T., Laddach, A., Beckwith, H., Milona, A., Rogers, L.S., Schwayer, C., . . . Miguel-Aliaga, I. (2025) Growth of the maternal intestine during reproduction.Cell188: 2738–2756 .e2722.PubMed abstract
  2. Reiff, T., Jacobson, J., Cognigni, P., Antonello, Z., Ballesta, E., Tan, K.J., . . . Miguel-Aliaga, I. (2015) Endocrine remodelling of the adult intestine sustains reproduction in Drosophila.eLife4: e06930.PubMed abstract
  3. Walshe, D.P., Lehane, S.M., Lehane, M.J. and Haines, L.R. (2009) Prolonged gene knockdown in the tsetse fly Glossina by feeding double stranded RNA.Insect Molecular Biology18: 11–19.PubMed abstract