Autophagy is an incredibly important and highly conserved process across eukaryotes and involves the regulated destruction of unnecessary or damaged components within the cell. Autophagy is key to many cellular processes and is relevant to plant fitness, nutrient recycling and crop yield. Experiments indicate that increasing autophagic flux in crops would improve nutrient use in particular a better use of nitrogen. Therefore, identifying new regulators of autophagy could have important applications for improving food security.
ATG8 is a protein which is involved in the assembly, maturation and transport of the autophagosome during the autophagy. Our lab has discovered a protein in the genome of Arabidopsis, linked with reduced autophagy that has ATG8 binding domains. This protein has potential in crop biotech to be targeted to improve nutrient use by directed mutations.
The student will investigate the link between this protein and autophagy regulation. The student will test the binding of this protein to ATG8, using transient expression in tobacco, FLIM/FRET confocal microscopy and pull-down assays. Knock-down and up-regulated GM lines in Arabidopsis will be created and analysed for a modified fitness phenotype.
Training/techniques to be provided:
Cloning, Agro-transfection, Agro-transformation of plants, confocal imaging, FLIM/FRET analysis of protein interactions, mutant genotyping, RT-Q-PCR for gene expression, western analysis.
Entry Requirements
Candidates are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a related area / subject. Candidates with an interest in plant cell biology or plant molecular genetics are encouraged to apply.
How To Apply
For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/). Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor. On the online application form select the appropriate subject title.
For international students, we also offer a unique 4 year PhD programme that gives you the opportunity to undertake an accredited Teaching Certificate whilst carrying out an independent research project across a range of biological, medical and health sciences.
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/”