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 comprehensive training in molecuylar biology, biochemistry, biophysics and plant physiology techniques.
Protection of oxygenic life on Earth depends on smooth energy input during light harvesting. This is facilitated by the fast light intensity tracking mechanism, qE, in plants and algae. The mysterious, extremely hydrophobic membrane protein PsbS is a key component of qE, but how it functions is unknown. This project will test several hypotheses of PsbS function, by generating and analyzing plants in which specific groups of aminoacids on the PsbS protein have been exchanged. Site-directed mutagenesis with transformation into the PsbS deletion mutant by Agrobacterium-mediated T-DNA transformation will be used. Objective 1 will focus on deletion of H3 helix of the protein to test its involvement in the switching of the conformational state of PsbS during qE. The interaction patterns of PsbS with LHCII polypeptides will also be examined using cross-linking and isolation of intact complexes of PsbS with PSII components. Objective 2 will test the hypothesis that the extreme hydrophobicity of the PsbS protein, due to 17 phenylalanine residues, is essential for interaction with LHCII. Mutations of the PsbS gene will replace the aromatic, hydrophobic phenylalanine residues of the PsbS with the aromatic but hydrophilic tyrosine. The solubilized membranes of all mutants will be subjected to gel filtration in order to isolate mutated PsbS in preparative quantities for analysis (CD and FTIR spectroscopies). This will detect possible structural alterations due to mutations, and dimer-monomer transitions, as well as identify spectral fingerprints of the H3 helix that could be potentially used in monitoring the action of PsbS in situ.
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 Molecular Biology, Plant Biochemistry, Plant Molecuylar Physiology.Skills in Arabidopsis mutagenesis and transformation are essential. Skills in Plant biochemistry 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
Apply Online