There is an urgent need to understand plant development and responses to stresses to maximise crop production and ensure food security, especially in the face of climate changes. Plant hormones play key roles in regulating flowering, seed development and responses of plants to both environmental stresses and pathogens. Polyamines are essential metabolites that have some roles that resemble plant hormones, but their exact role in plant development is unknown. Polyamine homeostasis is maintained by a balance of biosynthesis and breakdown as well as interconversion amongst different polyamines. Copper amine oxidases (CuAOs) form a family of related enzymes that catabolise polyamines and have a role in plant stress responses and in plant development. Polyamine levels also seem to affect other plant hormones such as gibberellic acids (GAs) – key regulators of plant growth and reproduction. Initial data indicate that down-regulation of multiple CuAOs results in changes to flowering time, plant architecture and seed production. Using CuAO mutants generated through artificial micro RNAs, CRISPR/Cas9 and T-DNA insertions in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the project will investigate the effects of mutating single or multiple CuAO genes in Arabidopsis at a phenotypic and cellular level.
A major goal is to gain a better understanding of how polyamines and GAs interact. This will be explored through biochemical analyses of GA and polyamine content in different organs of mutants compared to wild type and through transcriptomic analysis of mutants to identify target genes.
The project will therefore provide training in three key areas leaving space for the student to develop their own interests: (1) plasmid vector construction including CRISPR constructs, and plant transformation (2) biochemical analysis of metabolites and plant hormones (3) Analysis of development and stress responses in transgenic lines through sterile culture, microscopy, transcriptomics and metabolomics (4) statistical analysis of big data sets.
*Please note that in their first year of the 4-year programme, DTP students will undertake taught units and rotation projects*
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for a studentship 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 or technology. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have a Master’s degree or have significant relevant research or non-academic experience.
In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in our projects, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths or an equivalent qualification or experience is required (this includes a Physics A-level (grade B and above) or having undertaken units as part of your degree that have a significant mathematical component such as maths, statistics, bioinformatics. Applicants must ensure they highlight their Maths background within their application and to upload any supporting evidence.
To support PhD training opportunities, these studentships are only available to applicants that have not previously obtained or about to obtain a PhD degree (or equivalent).
If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme (IELTS must be 6.5 overall and 6.5 in all sub-skills). Please note that the English Language requirement is stipulated by the University of Bristol, because of the first year taught elements, which is higher than is standard for Cardiff. We ask that the language requirements are met by 1st June at the latest, to allow adequate time to obtain any necessary documentation to allow you to study in the UK.
For more information about eligibility requirements, please visit: Eligibility – SWBiosciences Doctoral Training Partnership
How to Apply
To submit a formal application via Cardiff University’s online application service, click the 'Institution Website' button on this advert; in the ‘Apply’ box at the top-right of the page, select Qualification (Doctor of Philosophy), Mode of Study (Full Time) and Start Date (October 2022). This will take you to the application portal.
To apply for BBSRC SWBio studentships, candidates must submit the following:
Two references
Academic transcripts / degree certificate(s)
Personal statement. Please include supporting evidence for your Maths background.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
English language certificates (where applicable)
NB: It is essential that students submit all the application elements required, as these will be needed for the shortlisting and interview processes.
In the research proposal section of the application, specify the project title and supervisors of the project. In the funding section, select “I will be applying for a scholarship/grant” and specify advertised funding from BBSRC SWBio DTP. If you are applying for more than one Cardiff University project, please note this in the research proposal section as the form only allows you to enter one title.
For more details on how to apply, visit the SWBio DTP website.
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