About the Project
Background: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas. Although atmospheric N2O levels are lower than that of CO2, it has a 300-fold greater global warming potential, and represents around 10% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Denitrifying bacteria play key roles in the synthesis and consumption of N2O. In oxygen (O2)-limited environments, these bacteria can use nitrate (eg from fertiliser) to respire. Here, nitrate is converted via nitrite, nitric oxide and N2O to dinitrogen (N2), a process termed denitrification. The last step in denitrification is carried out by nitrous oxide reductase, NosZ. NosZ is the major enzyme on the planet responsible for the destruction of N2O. Without NosZ atmospheric levels of N2O would be much greater. Given the importance of this enzyme, it is surprising that we do not fully understand the transcriptional switches inside the bacteria that allow NosZ to be produced. An understanding of the regulation of NosZ is crucial if novel chemical or biological mitigation strategies are to be developed to drive bacterial communities to be net N2O consumers rather than producers.
The PhD Project: Using cultures of the model denitrifying bacteria, Paracoccus denitrificans, we have an established pipeline to investigate the regulation, biochemistry and microbial physiology of bacterial denitrification i, ii. Building from our recent publications where we identified all of the small non-coding RNA (sRNA) in the Paracoccus genome iii, iv, we are looking for a highly-motivated student who will determine the role of these sRNA in regulating N2O emissions and the importance of the RNA binding protein, Hfq, in this regulation.
Training: To study this exciting project we will employ a multi-disciplinary approach incorporating molecular microbiology and physiology and functional genomics. Training will be provided in these areas. Presentation of results at international conferences will be an important aspect of the training provided.
Type of programme- PhD
Start date- October 2019
Mode of Study- Full-time
Acceptable first degree and minimum requirements 2:1 in Biological sciences, Biochemistry, Microbiology
References
i) Sullivan, M. J., Gates, A. J., Appia-Ayme, C., Rowley, G., and Richardson, D. J. (2013) Copper control of bacterial nitrous oxide emission and its impact on vitamin B12-dependent metabolism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110, 19926-19931
ii) Hartop, K. R., Sullivan, M. J., Giannopoulos, G., Gates, A. J., Bond, P. L., Yuan, Z., Clarke, T. A., Rowley, G., and Richardson, D. J. (2017) The metabolic impact of extracellular nitrite on aerobic metabolism of Paracoccus denitrificans. Water Res 113, 207-214.
iii) Gaimster, H., Chalklen, L., Alston, M., Munnoch, J. T., Richardson, D. J., Gates, A. J., and Rowley, G. (2016) Genome-Wide Discovery of Putative sRNAs in Paracoccus denitrificans Expressed under Nitrous Oxide Emitting Conditions. Front Microbiol 7, 1806
iv) Gaimster, H., Alston, M., Richardson, D. J., Gates, A. J., and Rowley, G. (2018) Transcriptional and environmental control of bacterial denitrification and N2O emissions. FEMS Microbiol Lett 365
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