Enamel development and evolution in spiny-tailed lizards

Project details

First supervisor: Dr Aaron LeBlanc

Second supervisor: To be confirmed

Sponsor: The Leverhulme Trust

Funding available: Stipend £23,332.00 per year; tuition fees; financial support for research consumables, conference and research travel.

Duration of award: 1 October 2024 - 30 September 2028

Mode of study: Full-time 

Start date: 1 October 2024

Application deadline:  1 July 2024

Eligibility: Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for Home fee status will be eligible to apply for this project. Home students will be eligible for a full award, including fees and stipend, if they satisfy the criteria below, including residency requirements. To be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:

-be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or

-have settled status, or

-have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or

-have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

Reference:  2024/DOCS/Leverhulme ALB

Project description

This PhD project will address questions surrounding the development, evolution, and function of mammal-like prismatic enamel by studying the teeth of an extant lizard model: the spiny-tailed, or uromastycine lizards. The enamel of some uromastycine lizards is nearly identical to that found in the oldest fossil mammals but provides a unique opportunity to study this tissue type in a living analogue. Preliminary studies have identified enamel prisms within the teeth of a small number of uromastycine species, but by preparing museum specimens for histological, elemental, and mechanical analyses, the PhD student will have the opportunity to examine enamel evolution across this unique group of lizards.

The aim will be to determine how many species possess prismatic enamel, compare prismatic enamel development in these lizards to that of mammals, and reconstruct the evolutionary history of enamel microstructure across uromastycines. This research will not only reveal how reptiles can evolve this stereotypically mammalian dental tissue, but also highlight the utility of these modern lizards as models for interpreting dental evolution in the earliest mammals. 

Person specification

• Undergraduate or MSci degree in comparative anatomy, evolutionary biology, palaeontology, or similar qualification
• Previous experience in phylogenetic analyses preferred
• Interest and motivation in academic research
• Interest in developing as an independent researcher

Research training

 Candidates will develop and enhance their skills in:

• Microscopy (light and electron microscopes)
• Histology
• CT scanning
• Elemental analyses (Laser Ablation Mass Spectrometry, X-Ray Fluorescence)
• Mechanical testing
• Data analysis

To view further general information, see Dental and Health Sciences Research MPhil/PhD prospectus page.

Next steps

Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss projects with Dr Aaron LeBlanc prior to submitting an application. 

The subsequent steps to apply are:

1. Register a new account/login at apply.kcl.ac.uk 
2. Once logged in, select Create a new application
3. Enter ‘Dental and Health Sciences Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time)' under Choose a programme. Please ensure you select the correct mode of study.
4. Please note: Applicants must include the project reference number (2024/DOCS/Leverhulme/ALB) in the 'Research proposal' and 'Funding (point 5)' sections of the application.

Applications must be received by the deadline specified in this listing.

Contact for further information

Name: Dr Aaron LeBlanc

Email: aaron.leblanc@kcl.ac.uk

Related Centre: Centre for Oral, Clinical & Translational Sciences

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