PhD Studentship: Knocking-down Vacuolar Nitrate Accumulation in Duckweeds

Overview:

Applications are invited for one 3-year PhD studentship from spring 2024 within The Centre for Agriculture, Food and Environmental Management (CAFEM) Research at the University of Hertfordshire to contribute to cutting-edge research in the field of genome editing and its application in enhancing sustainable food production practices.

Project outline:

The urgent need for sustainable protein sources to address global food security is the only ground-breaking response, especially with the environmental crisis driven by the Western world's demand for soy, leading to widespread deforestation (less than 15% of the annual soy import in the UK is certified as “deforestation free”). Duckweeds (Lemnaceae) have emerged as a promising alternative crop, offering a sustainable protein source for animal feed. This epoch of opportunity for duckweeds witnesses the ascent of industrial initiatives by biotech firms, harnessing the potential of this swiftly proliferating aquatic plant. Duckweeds exhibit remarkable potential, yielding up to 30 tons per hectare annually with a protein content exceeding 40% in dry biomass. Nevertheless, nitrate accumulation poses substantial challenges, impacting nitrogen use efficiency and posing health hazards to both humans and animals. Recent studies reveal nitrate levels in duckweeds exceeding regulatory limits, potentially impeding their commercial viability.

To address this challenge, our PhD project aims to genetically engineer duckweeds through genome editing to reduce vacuolar nitrate accumulation and optimize protein conversion. Building on our team's research, we will focus on characterizing vacuolar LemnaCLCa nitrate transporters and selectively knocking-down LemnaCLCa genes. This approach aims to diminish nitrate accumulation and enhance nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by redirecting carbon flux towards protein synthesis. Strengthening our expertise in in-vitro genetic transformation and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, we will execute these strategies. Chemical analysis utilizing our developed FTIR-Spectroscopy methods will facilitate nitrate and protein quantification in duckweed biomass. Moreover, we will augment our spectroscopic techniques with Raman microscopy to visualize nitrate distribution within cells.

By achieving both goals simultaneously, our project holds immense potential to revolutionize sustainable protein production and mitigate environmental and health risks associated with nitrate accumulation. Join us in this groundbreaking research to shape the future of agriculture and food sustainability!

Supervisor: Dr Cristina Barrero Sicilia

Entry requirements:

• BSc qualification (First-Class Honours or Upper Second-Class Honours) or equivalent in a relevant field.
• MSc/MRes or experience relevant to the research project.
• Highly self-motivated to pursuit a full-time research programme.
• Well organised and ability to work independently.

Eligibility:

This studentship are permanent UK residents and qualify for home fees status.

How to apply:

Please click on the ‘Apply’ button to be redirected to our website and complete the Application Form for PhD at University of Hertfordshire. This includes a personal statement (Section 11) describing (1) your motivation to conduct research the proposed project at UH and (2) how you meet the essential and desirable requirements.

Please also send with your application form:

• Qualification certificates and transcripts.
• Two reference letters to be provided directly to the doctoral college.

You should submit your application via email to UH Doctoral College by the closing date (30 April 2024)

Interviews dates: TBC

Start date: May 2024 or soon thereafter.

Funding information:

Fully funded for UK permanent residents. The studentship is for 3 years and covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (currently £18,622 for 2023/24).