About the Project
Programmed Cell Death (PCD) is a genetically controlled process that can promote cell self-destruction to the benefit of multicellular organisms or unicellular populations. PCD is used by plants for development and survival. For example, in stress situation, plant cells may have to choose the best of two opposite responses: repair or self-destruct. We have discovered a mechanism, which may be part of the decision process when plant cells experience a high protein-synthesis stress. Discovering more of the molecular mechanisms underlying how plant cells make decisions about inducing or not their own self-destruction has biotech applications. Improving our understanding of how a high load of protein synthesis can induce PCD in plant is expected to help improve plant strains to make better plant platforms for recombinant protein production. The project will analyse the function of a metacaspase gene in regulating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced PCD and autophagy in Arabidopsis thaliana. Methods will include, molecular cloning, plant transformation, confocal microscopy, image analysis, western analysis, protein-protein interaction analysis.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, engineering or technology.
Applicants interested in this project should make direct contact with the Primary Supervisor to arrange to discuss the project further as soon as possible.
How To Apply
To be considered for this project you MUST submit a formal online application form - full details on how to apply can be found on the BBSRC DTP website www.manchester.ac.uk/bbsrcdtpstudentships
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/
References
1. Minina, E.A., Staal, J., Alvarez, V.E., Berges, J.A., Berman-Frank, I., Beyaert, R., Bidle, K.D., Bornancin, F., Casanova, M., Cazzulo, J.J…Gallois P., … and Bozhkov, P.V., 2020. Classification and nomenclature of metacaspases and paracaspases: no more confusion with caspases. Molecular cell, 77(5), pp.927-929.
2. Cai, Y.M., Yu, J., Ge, Y., Mironov, A. and Gallois, P., 2018. Two proteases with caspase‐3‐like activity, cathepsin B and proteasome, antagonistically control ER‐stress‐induced programmed cell death in Arabidopsis. New Phytologist, 218(3), pp.1143-1155.
3. Havé, M., Balliau, T., Cottyn-Boitte, B., Dérond, E., Cueff, G., Soulay, F., Lornac, A., Reichman, P., Dissmeyer, N., Avice, J.C. Gallois, P…and Masclaux-Daubresse,C. 2018. Increases in activity of proteasome and papain-like cysteine protease in Arabidopsis autophagy mutants: back-up compensatory effect or cell-death promoting effect?. Journal of experimental botany, 69(6), pp.1369-1385.
4. Cai, Y.M., Yu, J. and Gallois, P., 2014. Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced PCD and caspase-like activities involved. Frontiers in plant science, 5, p.41.
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