How plants make oxindole drugs (OCONNOR_J18DTP)

ORGANISATION/COMPANY University of East Anglia RESEARCH FIELD Biological sciences RESEARCHER PROFILE First Stage Researcher (R1) APPLICATION DEADLINE 27/11/2017 23:00 - Europe/London LOCATION United Kingdom › Norwich TYPE OF CONTRACT Other JOB STATUS Other OFFER STARTING DATE 01/10/2018 Plants produce complex molecules called natural products. These biologically active molecules have important agricultural and pharmaceutical applications: for example, many natural products are used as antibiotics or anticancer agents. The overall goal of our group is to understand how plants make these molecules. Reconstitution of natural product pathways in appropriate host organisms, a “synthetic biology” approach, can allow rapid elucidation of these metabolic pathways and provide access to these compounds. This process of identifying these enzymes has been challenging for plant natural product pathways, but our group has been successful in using transcriptomic approaches to rapidly identify new plant biosynthetic enzymes. In this project the student will identify candidate biosynthetic genes for a group of natural products called alkaloids in several species of medicinal plants. The student will use available transcriptomic data to perform these searches. The student will then perform a variety of biochemical experiments, such as expressing these genes in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana to determine the function of these enzymes. Later in the project, the student will perform more in-depth biochemical analysis to better understand how these enzymes work. We are looking for a highly-motivated student with excellent background and practical scientific expertise in plant biochemistry/enzymology, plant molecular biology, natural product chemistry or a comparable field. The O’Connor group takes students from both chemistry and biology backgrounds. Previous laboratory experience is essential. For further information, see https://www.saraheoconnoratjic.org/ This project has been shortlisted for funding by the Norwich Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP). Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed as part of the studentship competition. Candidates will be interviewed on either the 9th, 10th or 11th January 2018. The Norwich Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4 year research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three month professional internship (PIPS) during their study. The internship offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. For further information and to apply, please visit our website: http://www.biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk Funding notes Full Studentships cover a stipend (RCUK rate: £14,553pa – 2017/8), research costs and tuition fees at UK/EU rate, and are available to UK and EU students who meet the UK residency requirements. Students from EU countries who do not meet the UK residency requirements may be eligible for a fees-only award. Students in receipt of a fees-only award will be eligible for a maintenance stipend awarded by the NRPDTP Bioscience Doctoral Scholarships, which when combined will equal a full studentship. To be eligible students must meet the EU residency requirements. Details on eligibility for funding on the BBSRC website: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/web/FILES/Guidelines/studentship_eligibility.pdf