Dr R Williams, Prof F Henriquez
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Project Ref: PHDSS1712. This project aims to tackle the major limitations that hinder the sustainable production of bioethanol; to extract and degrade cellulose, recalcitrance to degradation to release simple sugars. Cellulose is synthesised in large quantities by both protists and aquatic plants and is present in domestic and industrial wastes but cost-effective extraction and degradation protocols are required for its fermentation to bioethanol.
Recently, we have developed a protocol for extracting cellulose from a soil protist and have shown that the cellulose is crystalline and vulnerable to cellulolytic attack. In this project, we will develop protocols for upscaling this lab-based extraction method and extend its application to aquatic plants e.g. seaweeds and wastes with similar cellulose. The project will also use current knowledge and data from the sequenced genomes of protist and aquatic plants and metagenomics approach to identify and study how cellulose is attacked by cellulose-binding, -oxidizing, and -degrading enzymes to release sugars. We will utilise a genomics, molecular, biochemical and recombinant technologies to produce these enzymes in prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic expression system and characterise their enzymatic properties to 1) improve our understanding of the key catalytic factors behind the enzymatic degradation of cellulose, 2) develop biomimetic catalysts which carry out the same oxidative process to increase yield (3) underpin the development of transgenic ‘designer’ microbial communities for bioreactors. This project aligns with EU targets demanding that by 2020 a significant amount of transport fuel should come from renewable sources.
The successful PhD candidate will be based with the Infection and Microbiology Research Group within the Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research and will develop technical skills in cell culture, molecular biology, metagenomics, biochemical assay development and analytical methodologies.
Funding Notes
UWS is an inspiring, vibrant place to study with a growing research community; an important aspect of which is its outstanding and committed research students.
Successful candidates will receive an annual stipend of £14,553 per annum for three years and payment of tuition fees (current value £4200). Applicants are advised that funding will be considered as part of a competitive round and there is no guarantee that it will be awarded
References
Studentships are open to Home/EU candidates with a first degree in a relevant discipline. Non-EU students can apply, but will not receive the stipend and will be required to pay fees.
How to apply:
Postgraduate Degree by Research Applications should be completed online at
http://www.uws.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/prospective-students/
Applications without all relevant documents will not be considered. Please quote the Project Reference Number.