Supervisors:
Dr. Douglas Orr
Dr. Marjorie Lundgren
Project Description:
Cyanobacteria have evolved elegant approaches to carrying out highly efficient photosynthesis in low CO2 aquatic environments through CO2 concentrating mechanisms (CCMs). The engine of the cyanobacterial CCM is the carboxysome, a proteinaceous shell that encapsulates the central carbon fixing enzyme Rubisco. Despite being essential to carbon fixation in the biosphere, Rubisco is not very efficient and often limits photosynthesis. By encapsulating Rubisco within carboxysomes, cyanobacteria create a high CO2 microenvironment where Rubisco operates more efficiently.
We are pursuing a synthetic biology approach toward improving the efficiency of photosynthesis and carbon accumulation in crops by engineering a cyanobacteria-based carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM) into plants. To engineer carboxysomes into plants requires introducing a range of genes and assessing the ability of the chloroplast to assemble these complex protein structures.
This PhD project builds on previous progress that has produced a range of transgenic plants expressing components necessary for carboxysome assembly within plant chloroplasts. You will work to accelerate engineering of plant-based carboxysomes using both transient and stable expression of CCM proteins in the model plant tobacco to identify potential limitations to plant carboxysome assembly, fine-tune the necessary components, and optimise the stoichiometry of CCM proteins in chloroplasts. This project would suit a student interested in plant synthetic biology and who has or would like to develop skills in molecular biology, biochemistry, and plant engineering. You will join and be supported by the photosynthesis team at Lancaster. While you will contribute to an ongoing project, there is the potential to adapt the research objectives to your interests and skills, as well as adjust the plan as the research progresses.
General eligibility criteria
Enthusiasm, independence, self-motivation, curiosity and the ability to communicate to a range of audiences are all distinctly advantageous qualities for a PhD. Applicants would normally be expected to hold a minimum of a UK Honours degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a relevant degree course. However, applicants who have gained experience in relevant fields through non-traditional routes are strongly encouraged to apply. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, candidates who are in the first generation of their family to go to university, candidates who have been in care or who have been a young carer, and candidates from a low-income background.
Project specific criteria
We are looking for an enthusiastic, curious and self-driven student who wishes to work with us on this research project. The project would suit candidates with an interest in plant synthetic biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. A background in these topics is an advantage but not a requirement provided the candidate shows a strong interest and desire to learn. The candidate will be supported by supervisors with backgrounds in the topic and join a vibrant LEC photosynthesis community of academics, postdoctoral researchers, technicians, and postgraduate students. You are welcome to contact the team members with honest queries about their experience of being part of our team. The opportunity to attend national and international conferences will contribute to developing your network and enhancing your scientific writing and presentation skills.
Studentship funding
Full studentships (UK tuition fees and stipend (£17,668 2022/23 [tax free])) for UK students for 3.5 years.
Dates
Deadline for applications: 31st March 2023
Provisional Interview Date: to be confirmed
Start Date: October 2023
To apply, please visit https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/graduate-school/phd/phd-opportunities/#building-a-plantbased-carboxysome-to-improve-photosynthesis-371066-1
Further reading
Orr DJ et al. (2020) Hybrid cyanobacterial-tobacco Rubisco supports autotrophic growth and pro-carboxysomal aggregation. Plant Physiology 182, 807–818. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.19.01193
Hanson MR et al. (2016) Towards engineering carboxysomes into C3 plants. Plant Journal 87, 38-50. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.13139
Lin MT et al. (2014) A faster Rubisco with potential to increase photosynthesis in crops. Nature 513, 547–550. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13776