Dr E Fitches
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
This project will appeal to students interested in the field of agricultural biotechnology and crop protection who have an interest in protein engineering and in working with invertebrates. Experience in molecular biology, including the design and production of recombinant chimeric proteins, protein biochemistry and invertebrate physiology would be gained. In the laboratory expression constructs are generated using molecular biology techniques and recombinant fusion proteins are produced by bench-top fermentation of transformed yeast clones. Proteins are subsequently purified using affinity chromatography. A range of in vitro (eg. SDS-PAGE, immunoblot, mass spectrophotometry) and in vivo (eg. invertebrate feeding and injection bioassays, immunofluorescence microscopy) techniques are used to characterise and evaluate the fusion proteins for potential use as crop protection agents. The project, conducted in close collaboration with an industrial sponsor, will provide a solid foundation in applied research in the field of agricultural biotechnology.
For further information see the website: https://www.dur.ac.uk/biosciences/
To apply
Please complete the online application form and attach a full CV and covering letter. Informal enquiries may be made to [Email Address Removed]
Funding Notes
This is a 4 year BBSRC CASE studentship under the Newcastle-Liverpool-Durham DTP. The successful applicant will receive research costs, tuition fees and stipend (£14,777 for 2018-19). The PhD will start in October 2019. Applicants should have, or be expecting to receive, a 2.1 Hons degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. EU candidates must have been resident in the UK for 3 years in order to receive full support. There are 2 stages to the application process.
References
Nakasu, Y.E.T., Williamson, S.M., Edwards, M.G., Fitches, E.C., Gatehouse, J.A., Wright, G., Gatehouse, A.M.R. (2014) Novel biopesticide based on spider venom protein shows no adverse effects on honeybees. Proc. R. Soc. B, 281, 20140619.
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