Biocatalysis aims to utilise enzymes as industrial entities for the production of various products – such as pharmaceutical precursors, bio-energy components, agri-food products and fine chemicals. New approaches to the discovery of these enzymes are transforming the field. In this project we will be looking at gene mining approaches based on metagenome analysis, with a focus on specific marine environments.
The project builds on over 25 years experience in Professor Allen’s research group in this field – both in terms of the bio-organic chemistry of biotransformations, and more recently in the field of metagenome/gene mining, especially from soil metagenomes. The PhD researcher will develop expert skills related to the field: general microbiology techniques, cloning and over expression of proteins, gene mining, and especially related bioinformatics. The core research questions being addressed pertain to the application of gene mining methods from marine sediments for novel enzyme discovery. Further validation of the approaches will be sought through the successful development of whole cell biocatalysts that can be analysed and characterised in the laboratory.
Start Date: 1 October 2022
Duration: 3 years
How to apply: Applications must be submitted via https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/user/u_login.php
Skills/experience required: Ideally an undergraduate 2.1 degree in microbiology/biochemistry/marine biology or a related discipline. Further postgraduate study is also an advantage (not necessarily in a related area to the project). Computational skills are especially welcome.
Note: This project is in competition for DfE funding with a number of other projects. A selection process will determine the strongest candidates across the range of projects, who may then be offered funding for their chosen project.
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