PhD Studentship: Controlling Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Targeting Bacterial G-quadruplex DNA/RNA Structures

Found in: beBee S GB - 2 weeks ago


Norwich, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

Primary supervisor - Dr Andrew Gates 

As well as carbon dioxide (CO2), other important climate-active gases are known to drive global warming. Importantly, nitrous oxide (N2O), is the third most abundant greenhouse gas with 300-times greater global warming power than CO2 and it also contributes to the destruction of the ozone layer. Production of N2O is a by-product of modern farming, where after applying fertilizers, soil-based bacteria consume nitrate and generate N2O that is emitted from soil to the atmosphere. By understanding how bacteria do this and developing tools to control it, we could potentially reduce future biological N2O emissions, allowing recovery of the ozone layer and help reduce global climate change while continuing to feed expanding global populations. 

This PhD project will develop understanding of how DNA and RNA structures control nitrogen assimilation and N2O production in bacteria and how we can use small-molecules to control these pathways in cells. The project will provide training in a wide-range of state-of-the-art biophysical, molecular biology and microbiological techniques, from characterizing different types of DNA/RNA structures, gene expression studies to ligand-binding assays. Led by Dr Andrew Gates, this project will be based in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the student will work collaboratively with Dr Yiliang Ding at the John Innes Centre and Dr Zoë Waller (UEA/UCL). 

The student will have, or expect to obtain a first class, 2(i) or equivalent honours degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Pharmacy or a related area. Informal enquiries are welcomed; for further information please contact Dr Andrew Gates.

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will potentially be interviewed on 4, 5, and 6 June 2024.

For further information on eligibility and how to apply please visit here.

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background. 

Entry requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 or UK equivalence Master's degree. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). 

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) PhD studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2023/4 stipend rate: £18,622), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship. 

 

Competition Funded (Home) - see advert for details



  • Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary supervisor - Dr Andrew Gates As well as carbon dioxide (CO2), other important climate-active gases are known to drive global warming. Importantly, nitrous oxide (N2O), is the third most abundant greenhouse gas with 300-times greater global warming power than CO2 and it also contributes to the destruction of the ozone layer. Production of N2O is a...


  • Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary supervisor - Dr Stephanie SchüllerColorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common and second most fatal cancer globally. Most cases of CRC are not hereditary but influenced by lifestyle factors and changes in the gut microbiome. Importantly, 5-10% of CRCs have been linked to E. coli strains producing the metabolite colibactin which causes DNA...


  • Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary Supervisor: Dr Rianne Lord Bacterial infections are the second-leading cause of deaths globally, and whilst antibiotics have undoubtedly saved millions of lives, their extensive use, coupled with pathogen evolution has resulted in drastic increases in prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains. Amongst these, Gram-negative pathogens pose the most...


  • Norwich, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary Supervisor: Dr Rianne Lord   Bacterial infections are the second-leading cause of deaths globally, and whilst antibiotics have undoubtedly saved millions of lives, their extensive use, coupled with pathogen evolution has resulted in drastic increases in prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains. Amongst these, Gram-negative pathogens pose the...


  • Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary supervisor - Dr Dmitry Ghilarov BackgroundThe acute problem of antimicrobial resistance incentivises us to develop innovative approaches to antibiotic discovery & production. Natural products that form the basis of our current medical arsenal are often difficult to synthesize, purify, or engineer. In recent years bioinformatically predicted peptide...


  • Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary supervisor - Dr Myriam Charpentier Nitrogen (N) acquisition is fundamental for plant growth. However, N is poorly available in soils, leading to extensive and costly chemical fertiliser applications. It is estimated that 50-70% of nitrogen-derived fertilizer provided to the soil is lost, giving rise to soil and water pollution as well as global...


  • Norwich, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary supervisor - Dr Dmitry Ghilarov  Background The acute problem of antimicrobial resistance incentivises us to develop innovative approaches to antibiotic discovery & production. Natural products that form the basis of our current medical arsenal are often difficult to synthesize, purify, or engineer. In recent years bioinformatically predicted...


  • Norwich, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary supervisor - Dr Myriam Charpentier  Nitrogen (N) acquisition is fundamental for plant growth. However, N is poorly available in soils, leading to extensive and costly chemical fertiliser applications. It is estimated that 50-70% of nitrogen-derived fertilizer provided to the soil is lost, giving rise to soil and water pollution as well as global...


  • Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    The PhD project will be supervised by Prof. Michael Hornberger (dementia neuroscientist, University of East Anglia). Please contact the supervisor at for further information on the project. We have an exciting PhD studentship to work on how spatial navigation changes impact driving behaviour in older people and dementia. The project builds upon our prior...


  • Norwich, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    The PhD project will be supervised by Prof. Michael Hornberger (dementia neuroscientist, University of East Anglia). Please contact the supervisor at m.hornberger@uea.ac.uk for further information on the project.  We have an exciting PhD studentship to work on how spatial navigation changes impact driving behaviour in older people and dementia. The...


  • Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary supervisor - Dr Fred Warren The infant gut is a complex, constantly adapting ecosystem which shows distinct shifts as a consequence of introducing solid foods, which can have lifelong health impacts. An important nutrient in weaning foods is starch, a key dietary component in the adult diet. The genus Bifidobacterium has several adaptations making it...


  • Norwich, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary supervisor - Dr Fred Warren  The infant gut is a complex, constantly adapting ecosystem which shows distinct shifts as a consequence of introducing solid foods, which can have lifelong health impacts. An important nutrient in weaning foods is starch, a key dietary component in the adult diet. The genus Bifidobacterium has several adaptations...


  • Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary Supervisor: Dr James Smith Cardiomyocytes are the muscle cells of the heart, responsible for the production of contraction forces. During development, cardiomyocytes withdraw from the cell-cycle and switch from proliferative, growth to non-proliferative, hypertrophic growth. It is becoming clear that the extracellular matrix molecules play a key role...


  • Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary supervisor - Professor Martin Warren This PhD opportunity is ideal for graduates in biochemistry or biomedical science with a keen interest in protein science and its application in developing new diagnostic tests and assays. Recently, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued comprehensive guidelines on diagnosing and...


  • Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary supervisor - Professor Diane Saunders Wheat blast and rusts are fungal diseases that severely damage cereal production worldwide. During infection, these fungi secrete proteins into wheat plants to reprogramme host plant circuitry, supporting their own growth and development. A subset of effectors, termed avirulence factors (Avr), can be recognised...


  • Norwich, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary Supervisor: Dr James Smith  Cardiomyocytes are the muscle cells of the heart, responsible for the production of contraction forces. During development, cardiomyocytes withdraw from the cell-cycle and switch from proliferative, growth to non-proliferative, hypertrophic growth. It is becoming clear that the extracellular matrix molecules play a key...


  • Norwich, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary supervisor - Professor Martin Warren  This PhD opportunity is ideal for graduates in biochemistry or biomedical science with a keen interest in protein science and its application in developing new diagnostic tests and assays. Recently, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued comprehensive guidelines on diagnosing and...


  • Norwich, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an effective pathogen of humans and animals and is well known as the leading cause of often-fatal infections in newborn infants. Little is known about how GBS resists the immune system and colonises to cause invasive disease.  This PhD will develop a new understanding of how streptococci resist intoxication by metals, a major...


  • Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an effective pathogen of humans and animals and is well known as the leading cause of often-fatal infections in newborn infants. Little is known about how GBS resists the immune system and colonises to cause invasive disease. This PhD will develop a new understanding of how streptococci resist intoxication by metals, a major...


  • Norwich, United Kingdom University of East Anglia Full time

    Primary supervisor - Professor Diane Saunders  Wheat blast and rusts are fungal diseases that severely damage cereal production worldwide. During infection, these fungi secrete proteins into wheat plants to reprogramme host plant circuitry, supporting their own growth and development. A subset of effectors, termed avirulence factors (Avr), can be...