The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences at Queen Mary is one of the UK’s elite research centres, according to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). We offer a multi-disciplinary research environment and have approximately 180 PhD students working on projects in the biological and psychological sciences. Our students have access to a variety of research facilities supported by experienced staff, as well as a range of student support services.Professor Ruban and Dr Hanke have established a successful collaborative group, working on various aspects of membrane proteins and plant and algal photosynthetic reactions. Together with a broad range of spectroscopic and biochemical equipment, they possesses modern plant and algal growth facilities, fully compliant with plant transformation safety requirements, and the microbiology facilities necessary for E. coli and Agrobacterial transformation and propagation. The molecular biology needed to construct and mutate plasmids is currently routine in our laboratories.
Our PhD students become part of Queen Mary’s Doctoral College which provides training and development opportunities, advice on funding, and financial support for research. Our students also have access to a Researcher Development Programme designed to help recognise and develop key skills and attributes needed to effectively manage research, and to prepare and plan for the next stages of their career.The successful candidate wil lreceive a comprehencive training in molecuylar biology, biochemistry, biophysics and plant physiology techniques.
Oxygenic photosynthetic organisms possess photosystem II (PSII) which has the oxidative power to split water by removing its electrons and donating them into the electron transport chain. Having the advantage to use the virtually inexhaustible source of electrons these organisms must pay a price in risking damage by intense light. To prevent this, PSII has evolved a mechanism called non-photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching, NPQ. The process is triggered by the proton gradient across the photosynthetic membrane (ΔpH). The work of the PI has demonstrated that LHCII antenna, PsbS protein and the proton gradient (ΔpH) are the only key components needed for induction of NPQ. It was discovered that ΔpH induces a conformational change in LHCII and its aggregation, coupled with the operation of the xanthophyll zeaxanthin, and the PsbS protein, acting as allosteric regulators. Why and how the ΔpH induces NPQ remains unknown.
Previous work by the PI has shown that the formation of ΔpH causes significant thinning of the thylakoid membrane of plants and algae correlating with the extent of NPQ. This finding prompted him to hypothesise that this membrane thinning causes a hydrophobic mismatch (HM) between LHCII and surrounding lipids. The PhD student will test this hypothesis by using cryo-electron microscopy for visualisation of alterations in membrane thickness in wild type plants and mutants lacking NPQ. Also, lipid analysis of PsbS and LHCII proteins will be undertaken in these plants to track possible lipid relocation in the NPQ state.
Finally, these proteins will be incorporated into the liposomes made of lipids with fatty acid chains of various length to induce HM and monitor the likely transition into the dissipative state by time-correlated single photon counting fluorescence spectroscopy. The student will obtain training in a broad range of biochemical, spectroscopic and plant physiology techniques.
This studentship is open to students applying for China Scholarship Council funding. Queen Mary University of London has partnered with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to offer a joint scholarship programme to enable Chinese students to study for a PhD programme at Queen Mary. Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses for 4 years and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Applicants must be:
- Chinese students with a strong academic background.- Students holding a PR Chinese passport.- Either be resident in China at the time of application or studying overseas.- Students with prior experience of studying overseas (including in the UK) are eligible to apply. Chinese QMUL graduates/Masters’ students are therefore eligible for the scheme.
Please refer to the CSC website for full details on eligibility and conditions on the scholarship.
Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with or expecting to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree in an area relevant to the project such as Plant Biochemistry, Plant Molecular Physiology. Skills in photosynthetic membrane biochemistry, lipidomics, electron microscopy are essential. Skills in fluorescence spectroscopy are desirable. Applicants from outside of the UK are required to provide evidence of their English language ability. Please see our English language requirements page for details: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/englishlanguagerequirements/postgraduateresearch/
Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Professor Alexander Ruban, a.ruban@qmul.ac.uk. Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 31st January 2023 for consideration, including a CV, personal statement and qualifications.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview by the project supervisor. Those who are successful in their application for our PhD programme will be issued with an offer letter which is conditional on securing a CSC scholarship along with academic conditions still required to meet our entry requirements.
Once applicants have obtained their offer letter from Queen Mary they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship by the advertised deadline with the support of the project supervisor.For September 2023 entry, applicants must complete the CSC application on the CSC website between 10th March - 31st March 2023.
Only applicants who are successful in their application to CSC can be issued an unconditional offer and enrol on our PhD programme. For further information, please go to: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/scholarships/items/china-scholarship-council-scholarships.html
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