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. In the model plant, Arabidopsis, 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, effects on cellular structure, and through transcriptomic analysis of mutants to identify target genes. The project will therefore provide training in four 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.
Collaborators: Prof Alessandra Cona (University of Rome (Roma3), Italy), Dr Lorenzo Mariotti (University of Pisa, Italy), Dr Manfred Beckmann (University of Aberystwyth)
Eligibility
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, quantitative/mathematical experience is needed. This can be demonstrated through one or more of the following:
- Undertaking units as part of your degree that have a significant quantitative/mathematical component*
- Maths or Physics A-level (grade B and above)
*Significant mathematical component examples include; maths, statistics, bioinformatics.
Applicants must ensure they highlight their quantitative/mathematical background within their application and to upload any supporting evidence. Full criteria can be found here - https://www.swbio.ac.uk/programme/eligibility/
How to Apply
Application guidance:
Please read the Cardiff SWBio DTP programme information before completing your application.
- Applications can be submitted here - https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/biosciences-phd-mphil-md
- When completing your application, please list Doctor of Philosophy as the 'qualification' and 1 October 2023 as the 'start date'.
- You will need to include the project you are applying to and the main supervisor as part of the application.
- For funded studentships: When asked if you are intending to self-fund, please select No and within the text box list BBSRC South Bioscience DTP
- You will need to submit a separate application for each project you wish to be considered for.
Full guidance notes https://www.swbio.ac.uk/programme/how-to-apply/
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