Dr M Kapralov, Prof M Knight
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
The world weather is getting less and less predictable due to climate change, while the rapid growth of human population commands to increase crop yields by 50 - 70 % by 2050 in order to feed the predicted 9 - 10 billion people. Extra food and biofuel production has to be achieved using the shrinking supply of arable land making it a key global challenge that requires ground-breaking innovations and "thinking outside the box". Our research aims to use a naturally evolved diversity of genes that protect plants from freezing events. In translational terms, the research outcome will provide essential knowledge for engineering better cold tolerance in crops to boost their freezing resistance and to mitigate negative effects of summer frosts predicted to increase their frequency in many parts of the world. Freezing tolerance of plant species is highly variable and requires an active process known as cold acclimation, which involves metabolic and cellular changes, including the production of compatible solutes and reconfiguration of membrane components. With a greater understanding of freezing tolerance we can start looking for ways to avoid freezing damage in crop plants. The project will study if variation in CBF protein sequence is a determinant of distribution of freezing tolerance through the plant kingdom by combining bioinformatics analysis with the plant transformation approach using Arabidopsis and wheat. This project represents joint scientific efforts of the Kapralov’s Lab at Newcastle University and the Knight’s Lab at Durham University, by combining interdisciplinary skills and training ranging from computational analysis and bioinformatics to plant molecular biology, genetic transformation, genetics and stress physiology. The geographical proximity of Newcastle and Durham universities, which are only 30 minutes apart from each other, will make it possible for the student to use complementary lab facilities in both Newcastle and Durham, including the superb facilities of the Durham Centre for Crop Improvement Technology, on a regular basis.
For further information see the website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/nes/
To apply:
Please complete the online application form and attach a full CV and covering letter - https://forms.ncl.ac.uk/view.php?id=553440. Informal enquiries may be made to [Email Address Removed]
Funding Notes
This is a 4 year BBSRC studentship under the Newcastle-Liverpool-Durham DTP. The successful applicant will receive research costs, tuition fees and stipend (£14,553 for 2017-18). The PhD will start in October 2018. Applicants should have, or be expecting to receive, a 2.1 Hons degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. EU candidates must have been resident in the UK for 3 years in order to receive full support. There are 2 stages to the application process.
References
Sharwood RE, Ghannoum O, Kapralov MV, Gunn LH, Whitney SM. Temperature responses of Rubisco from Paniceae grasses provide opportunities for improving C3 photosynthesis. Nat Plants. 2016, 2:16186.
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