Postgraduate scholarship on DNA and peptide self-assembly systems, focusing on the DNA perspective

A funded PhD position in the School of Physical Sciences at the University of Kent is available, for research into the interplay of peptide and DNA self-assembly. The student will work in the laboratory of Dr Christopher Serpell, and spend time in the laboratory of Dr Michael Reithofer at the University of Vienna.

The overall aim of the project is to discover what hierarchical or emergent nanostructures can be obtained when DNA and peptide self-assembly systems are combined in a synergistic or hierarchical manner. Previous research by Dr Serpell has shown that the combination of DNA and polymer assembly gives rise to highly novel architectures; this project will employ the more sophisticated peptide assembly motifs such as beta sheets, coiled coils, and collagen mimetics.

The student will approach the project from the DNA perspective. There will be a mix of synthesis (solid phase, conventional organic, and bioconjugation) and analysis (various spectroscopies, microscopies, scattering techniques, and electrophoresis), needed to produce and characterise the self-assembly of the resultant structures. The candidate will thus develop a deep understanding of the behaviour of biopolymers, and skills in a wide range of experimental techniques. Both of these skillsets will be broadly applicable beyond the PhD. The candidate will also be trained in a diverse range of key transferable skills.

This is a joint University of Kent/University of Vienna 3 year PhD project, fully funded for UK/EU students by the Leverhulme Trust. The successful candidate will be based for the majority of their time at the University of Kent, but will be expected to spend some time at Vienna to use their analytical facilities. The project will be jointly supervised by Dr Serpell, who is an expert in DNA nanotechnology, and Dr Reithofer, who is an expert in peptide assembly. Dr Serpell is a member of the Functional Materials Group in Kent, which offers a thriving and diverse research environment. The student will also work closely with another PhD student focusing on the project from the peptide perspective.