Details
During fertilisation in plants, key cells (pollen and ovules) undergo remarkable changes which involve alterations in the cell wall to allow fusion f gametes. This complex cellular dance is essential for most land plants and is central to seed formation in our major crops. However, remarkably little is known about the dynamic changes that occur to allow the correct dance moves at the right time. This project will provide fundamental new understanding of plant reproduction.
You will use cell biology and microscopy techniques to understand the cell walls of pollen and ovules, how their composition changes during fertilisation, and what controls it. You will use molecular genetics to alter the composition of the cell walls and test how this affects fertilisation. The project combines our expertise in plant reproduction (Galindo-Trigo et al., EMBO Reports 21: e48466) and cell wall structure/function (Carroll et al., Current Biology 2022), building on a BBSRC-funded project examining signalling between cells during fertilisation.
We are looking for a student interested in plant developmental, molecular and cell biology to join a vibrant and supportive group of researchers (jointly headed by Lisa Smith, Sam Amsbury and Andrew Fleming), providing an excellent environment for your PhD.
About the DTP
This studentship is offered as part of the White Rose BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) in Mechanistic Biology, which brings together the research of the world-class molecular and cellular bioscience centres at the White Rose universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York.
Our mission is to train excellent bio-scientists who understand how living systems work
and can innovate to address global challenges, such as the impact of climate change, a healthier old age, sustainable food production, land use and energy production.
What is on offer?
This is a core studentship for entry in October 2024.
Join us and you will receive a 4-year, funded PhD programme of research and skills training, with cross-disciplinary supervision, plus a structured programme of cohort-wide training and networking events. A highlight is the annual symposium, which is planned and delivered by students.
A unique part of your training will be the Professional Internships for PhD Students (PIPS), where you will spend three months at a host organisation of your choosing, gaining experience of work in a professional environment, and acquiring transferable skills that will be beneficial in your future career.
How to apply – Expression of Interest
Students may apply for up to three projects anywhere in the Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). Applications will be to the DTP centrally, using an online Expression of Interest (EoI). The EoI will include:
§ CV information; not submitted separately
§ Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) data
§ Names of two referees
Deadline for EoIs is midnight Sunday 7th January 2024.
Submit EoIs using this link: https://leeds.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/white-rose-bbsrc-dtp-expression-of-interest-form
Shortlisted candidates will be required to make formal applications to the Graduate School at each institution, supplying the necessary paperwork.
Interviews will be held either Friday 2nd and Monday 5th to Friday 9th February, or Monday 19th to Friday 23rd and Monday 26th February 2024, in-person at Leeds, Sheffield and York, with a panel representing all 3 Universities. Shortlisted candidates will be notified of a specific time/date to attend. If you have applied for more than one project and are selected for interview, you will be interviewed only once.
Website link: https://www.whiterose-mechanisticbiology-dtp.ac.uk/
Funding Notes
Appointed candidates will be fully funded for 4 years:
Tax-free annual stipend at the UKRI rate. The rate for starters in 2023/24 was £18,622. (Rates for 2024/25 starters are not yet available).
UKRI tuition fees – These are paid directly to the host institution.
A Research Training and Support Grant
An allowance for Fieldwork/Conference/Travel
A Professional Internship for PhD Students (PIPS) allowance
Not all projects will be funded; the DTP will appoint a limited number of candidates via a competitive process.
References
Baillie A, Sloan J, Qu L-J and Smith LM. (2023). Signalling between the
sexes during pollen tube reception. Trend in Plant Science.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2023.07.011
Yao N, Zhang Z, Yu L, Hazarika R, Yu C, Jang H, Smith LM, Ton J, Liu L,
Stachowicz J, Reusch TBH, Schmitz RJ, Johannes F (2023). An evolutionary
epigenetic clock in plants. Accepted at Science. Available on bioRxiv
https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.03.15.532766.
Galindo-Trigo S, Blanco-Tourinan N, DeFalco, TA, Wells ES, Zipfel C, Gray
JE and Smith LM (2020). CrRLK1L receptor-like kinases HERK1 and ANJEA
are female determinants of pollen tube reception. EMBO Reports, e48466.
DOI: 10.15252/embr.201948466
Galindo-Trigo S, Grand TM, Voigt CA and Smith LM (2020). A malectin
domain kinesin functions in pollen and seed development in Arabidopsis.
Journal of Experimental Botany, 71, 1828-1841. DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa023.
Durney, C.H., Wilson, M.J., McGregor S., Armand, J., Smith, R.S.,
Gray, J.E., Morris, R.J. & Fleming, A.J.* (2023) Grasses exploit
geometry to achieve improved guard cell dynamics Current Biology
33, 2814–2822 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.051
Xiao, Y; Sloan, J; Hepworth, C; Fradera-Soler, M; Mathers, A; Thorley,
R; Baillie, A; Jones, H; Chang, T; Chen, X; Yaapar, N; Osborne, C;
Sturrock, C; Mooney, S; Fleming, A.J.*; Zhu, X-G (2023) Defining the
scope for altering rice leaf anatomy to improve photosynthesis: A
modelling approach New Phytologist 237, 441-453
https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.18564
Carroll, S., Amsbury, S., Durney C.H, Smith, R.S., Morris, R.J., Gray, J.E., & Fleming, A.J.* (2022)
Altering arabinans increases Arabidopsis guard cell flexibility and stomatal opening Current Biology 32, 3170-3179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.05.042
Lundgren, M.R, Mathers, A., Baillie, A.L., Dunn, J., Wilson, M.J., Hunt, L., Pajor, R., Fradera-Soler, M., Rolfe, S., Osborne, C.P., Sturrock, C.J., Gray, J.E., Mooney, S.J. & Fleming, A.J.* (2019)
Mesophyll porosity is modulated by the presence of functional stomata. Nature Communications 10 art nr 2825 |https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-10826-5