How Studying Bacterial Gene Regulation Launched My Research Career

I have always been fascinated by transcription, the very first step in turning a gene on, and particularly by the sophisticated ways bacteria regulate gene expression. When I was looking for a PhD position, I wanted to work in this field while receiving specialised scientific training from leading experts whose experience I could learn from. Joining Dr Christoph Engl's laboratory at the Centre for Molecular Cell Biology gave me exactly that opportunity.

One of the greatest strengths of the Centre is its exceptionally talented, international and interdisciplinary research community. The collaborative atmosphere meant that expertise and feedback were always available, and combined with access to state-of-the-art facilities, this created the ideal environment for PhD-level research.

My PhD focused on understanding how bacteria regulate transcription through a process known as attenuation. Using advanced microscopy and molecular biology approaches, I investigated how bacterial cells exploit attenuation to control gene expression at the single-cell level. By visualising and quantifying individual RNA molecules inside bacterial cells under different attenuation states, I was able to study how attenuation shapes transcriptional heterogeneity within bacterial populations.

The quality of the scientific training I received played a major role in the success of the project. The work ultimately resulted in a first-author publication in Science Advances, which was a particularly rewarding achievement. I also had the opportunity to present my research internationally at a conference in Kobe, Japan. Travelling to Japan allowed me to meet scientists from around the world, discuss exciting developments and future directions in the field, and further develop my scientific communication and presentation skills.

Perhaps the most valuable aspect of my PhD was the opportunity to develop into an independent scientist. Through expert mentorship and intellectual freedom, I developed the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills needed for a research career. The training I received helped me secure a postdoctoral position at the Helmholtz Centre for RNA-based Infection Research in Germany, a leading research institute where I am continuing to develop as an independent scientist while pursuing new questions in RNA biology.

Shafagh Moradian 

The Centre for Molecular Cell Biology