Overview
Many animals rely on microbes to fulfil essential biological functions including the supply of essential nutrients. However, the molecular mechanisms which enable the interactions between animals and their symbiotic microbiome are not yet well understood. In insects, particular species of microbes are often housed within specialised insect cells, a relationship called endosymbiosis. Endosymbiosis occurs in up to 20% of insect species and often allows insects to utilise nutritionally unbalanced food sources. For example, endosymbiotic bacteria in aphids supply their aphid host with nutrients such as essential amino acids lacking in the aphid diet (plant sap). These insect-microbe relationships have evolved over millions of years and neither the insect nor microbe can survive independently of the other partner.
The close symbiotic relationship found in insects relies on multiple nutrients being moved between the insect and its endosymbiotic bacteria. How does the host insect supply the bacteria with nutrients? How are amino acids produced by the bacteria delivered to the host insect? Little is known as to the identity and function of the nutrient transport proteins (transporters) which mediate this nutrient movement. However, we have found that candidate proteins are distantly related to many mammalian (and human) transporters. This research project will investigate these nutrient transporters using a number of complementary molecular biological, genomic, immunocytochemical and electrophysiological techniques. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in insect endosymbiosis is important not only because it is a fundamental aspect of insect biology found in 100,000s of insect species but also because many sap-feeding insects are destructive, global crop pests (including aphids, whitefly and mealybugs). By understanding the biology of these pests we can start to understand how they can be targeted by novel, species-specific and biosafe control mechanisms.
You will join the lab of Catriona Anderson, a transporter biologist, and be part of a wider multidisciplinary team of insect, microbe and plant (crop) researchers within the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University.
Number Of Awards
1
Start Date
September 2022
Award Duration
3 years.
Sponsor
Newcastle University NUAcT Fellowship Scheme
Supervisors
Dr Catriona Anderson, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Eligibility Criteria
You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a high 2:1 honours degree in biology, physiology or related subject (e.g. microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology, zoology). Candidates should have the ability to think and work independently and have excellent analytical and communication skills.
Available for UK applicants only.
How To Apply
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system.
You will need to:
- Insert the programme code 8020F in the programme of study section
- Select ‘PhD Biology (full time) Biological Sciences’ as the programme of study
- Insert the studentship code SNES220 in the studentship/partnership reference field
- attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code SNES220 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
- Attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.
Contact Details
For further details, please contact:
Dr Catriona Anderson ([Email Address Removed])
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
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