Hormone Modulated Plasma Membrane Proton Transport

Start Date: March 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter
Stipend: Standard RCUK stipend is likely to be made available for UK/EU students

Outline and Aim:
Primary transporters such as the plasma membrane H+-ATPases drive plant growth and responses to the environment. Phytohormone auxin modulates membrane traffic and functional activation of the H+-ATPases. This project is to identify and characterise the non-canonical H+-ATPase membrane trafficking pathways. The studies will define a new research focus on hormonal regulation of membrane traffic and determine the role of such traffic in physiology at molecular, cellular and whole plant level.

Techniques:
The student will employ a multidisciplinary approach and gain expertise in cross-platform techniques and concepts in cell biology, molecular cloning, membrane transport and genetics and protein-protein interactions involving yeast and proteomics. Skills training will include protein biochemistry, in vivo and in vitro protein-protein interaction assays, fluorescence microscopy, optobiology and electrophysiology. Electrophysiology studies will be carried out in collaboration with Prof Mike Blatt. Opportunities to train and learn from the diverse and vibrant research community at the IMCSB in the University of Glasgow will be available as relevant to the project.