Climate change is one of the biggest threats to global food production, leading to unpredictable weather patterns and geographical migration of pathogens. As sessile organisms, plants must respond to a changing environment in situ and have developed complex systems of perception and response to mitigate against environmental stress. Plants perceive physical environmental stimuli, such as pathogens, cell wall changes or hormones governing plant development, through receptor kinases in the plasma membrane. We have found that the correct assembly of activated receptor complexes is governed by protein-protein, protein-lipid and lipid-lipid interactions. It is therefore necessary to understand the receptor protein complex in the context of its membrane environment. We have subsequently found that the addition of fatty acids to activated receptors, in a post-translational process known as S-acylation, is crucial to complex assembly.
Using novel techniques to create membrane nanodiscs containing protein complexes and their attendant membrane lipids we have found that unstimulated receptors form ~300 kDa complexes, but upon ligand binding rapidly form complexes greater than 1 MDa. This is larger than any hypothesised receptor complex, suggesting that previous work has missed many crucial aspects of how these receptor complexes form and function.
Using the plant bacterial pathogen receptor FLS2 as a test case, you will define how activation affects complex size and formation and understand how S-acylation impacts upon this. Following on from this we will use proteomics to define the proteome of active vs inactive complexes. This knowledge will provide substantial understanding of how plants perceive and respond to their external environment and mitigate against emerging pathogen threats.
This project will provide training in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, SMA-PAGE, SDS-PAGE, western blotting, affinity chromatography, quantitative plant immunity biology, plant genetics, plant transformation and proteomics. You will join a diverse and collaborative lab with opportunities for a wide range of scientific and transferrable skills training. Recent ~£65 million investment in the Advanced Plant Growth Centre and International Barley Hub ensure that cutting edge plant growth facilities are available, in addition to the world leading biochemical, molecular, lipidomic and proteomic expertise and facilities at Dundee and St. Andrews.
For further details and informal discussion prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact Dr Piers Hemsley ([Email Address Removed]) before submitting an application.
Please see our website for further details on the programme:
Life Sciences MSc by Research MSc by Research (Postgraduate) : Study : University of Dundee
Please note before submitting your application that you must list your top three project choices in the Research Proposal section of the application form.
You apply for this course using our Direct Application System. Once you've signed up for an account you'll be asked to search for a course.
https://www.dundee.ac.uk/study/pgr/research-areas/life-sciences/
To find Life Science MSc by Research you should select the following options:
· Course type: Research Postgraduate
· Keyword: Life
When you complete your form, you should include your top 3 project choices, 2 letters of reference, uploaded under "Other Information" > "Supporting documents" and a personal statement. Failure to do so will delay your application.
Please note when submitting an application that we have the following deadline dates throughout the year:
September Starts - Application Deadline 1st May, Interview Date - Late June
January Starts - Application Deadline 1st Sep, Interview Date - Late October
May Starts - Application Deadline 1st Feb, Interview Date - Late March
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