How to build a biological decoder – dissecting calcium specificity in plants (MILLERUDTP2)

Calcium is one of the most common secondary messengers involved in cell signalling in plants. A first response to a vast array of abiotic and biotic stresses includes changes in cytosolic calcium concentrations that regulate downstream processes. That so many processes seem to be governed by the change in the concentration of calcium has given rise to what has been called the calcium specificity problem: how can one ion species be responsible for conveying such diverse developmental processes and differentially active different pathways?

The aim of this PhD project is to develop a deeper understanding of how calcium signals are interpreted by cells and decoded into specific biological responses in plants. The project will focus on a calcium- and calmodulindependent protein kinase (CCaMK) in the model plant Medicago truncatula and will study the mechanism by which CCaMK is regulated by calcium and how this allows the decoding of specific calcium signals.

This project will combine molecular biology, biochemistry and mathematical modelling, and will provide the student with excellent opportunities for multi-disciplinary training in plant molecular genetics, biochemical techniques and synthetic biology, as well as computational modelling approaches.

For more information on the supervisor for this project, please go here https://people.uea.ac.uk/b_miller

This is a PhD programme.

The start date is 1st October 2021.

The mode of study is full time.

The studentship length is 4 years.


About NRP DTP:

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) is open to UK and international candidates for entry October 2021 and offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply.

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP programme. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on Thursday 7th January, Friday 8th January and Monday 11th January 2021.

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.