The productivity and resilience of agricultural systems faces multiple challenges including from climate change, growing consumer demand and global networks that have facilitated the spread of pests and diseases. In this project, you will use cell-free synthetic biology approaches for the identification of important plant viruses. Plant viruses pose an important threat to agricultural systems around the world. In developed agricultural systems the impact is predominantly economic, whilst in developing systems viruses threaten food security. Globally, they are responsible for losses estimated at €15b to €45b per year. The goal of this project is to improve in-field diagnostics and facilitate greater monitoring of the spread of plant diseases.
In this project, you will design molecular cascades capable of identifying target viruses. You will experimentally test these designs for their sensitivity and specificity. You will also gain hands-on experience in the use of cell-free transcription/translation reactions to broaden the biocomputational potential of these devices. You will be trained in mathematical modelling of biological systems and in the use of statistical Design of Experiments (DoE). By coupling these skills with the pipetting robotics available in our laboratory, you will be able to rapidly test, understand and optimise molecular performance. Further, you will take advantage of our expertise in embedding cell-free molecular biology reactions in physical chassis to develop multifunctional materials. These materials will be used to identify and discriminate between viruses and viral variants in a single extract. The project will also provide access to expertise in the design and manufacture of bio-enhanced and bio-inspired materials at both Newcastle and Liverpool. This project will therefore provide you with a wide-range of molecular biology, biochemical and computational skills relevant to many engineering biology projects.
The PhD is appropriate for a student with interests in the fundamentals of synthetic biology (i.e. model-guided design-build-test cycles) and biotechnology, who wishes to pursue these interests in a project with real-world applications and design constraints.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications should be made by emailing [Email Address Removed] with:
· a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees);
· a covering letter – clearly stating your first choice project, and optionally 2nd ranked project, as well as including whatever additional information you feel is pertinent to your application; you may wish to indicate, for example, why you are particularly interested in the selected project(s) and at the selected University;
· copies of your relevant undergraduate degree transcripts and certificates;
· a copy of your passport (photo page).
A GUIDE TO THE FORMAT REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IS AVAILABLE AT https://www.nld-dtp.org.uk/how-apply. Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.
In addition to the above items, please email a completed copy of the Additional Details Form (as a Word document) to [Email Address Removed]. A blank copy of this form can be found at: https://www.nld-dtp.org.uk/how-apply.
Informal enquiries may be made to [Email Address Removed]. The closing date for applications is 10th January 2022 at 5.00pm (UK time).
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