Structure-guided optimisation of light-driven microalgae cell factories using atomic resolution cryo-electron microscopy

The global transition to reach Net Zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 is forecast to require US$144 trillion (or $5.5 trillion annually to 2050) of investment, highlighting an extraordinary opportunity to develop renewable technologies.

The sun is by far the largest renewable energy resource available to us, and every 2 hrs provides Earth with more energy than is required to power our entire global economy for a year.

Oxygenic photosynthetic organisms including plants, algae and cyanobacteria (and the intricate photosynthetic machinery within them) form the biological interface between the sun and our biosphere. Over 3 billion years, these intricate photosynthetic interfaces have evolved to capture this solar energy and carbon dioxide to generate oxygen and biomass that provide the food, fuel, biomaterials, and clean water that support aerobic life on Earth.

The first step of photosynthesis and all light-driven biotechnologies is light capture by the Light Harvesting Complex (LHC) proteins associated with Photosystems I and II. This PhD project will focus on structurally defining key LHC trimers and ~ 1MDa photosynthetic supercomplexes towards atomic resolution using high-resolution cryo-EM and single particle analysis. This work supports the CSB’s structure-guided design of next-generation high-efficiency CRISPR-engineered cell lines for light-driven biotechnology applications.

The successful PhD candidate will be part of a strong multi-disciplinary team in the Centre for Solar Biotechnology (CSB; 30 international teams, ~35 industry partners to date) within the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) at the University of Queensland (UQ). The IMB is one of Australia’s premier life sciences institutes and ranks highly internationally. UQ regularly ranks in the top 1% (top 50) universities internationally.

The CSB and our industry partners are focused on developing advanced light-driven biotechnologies based on single-cell green algae that tap into this huge solar energy resource and use it to drive the production of a broad range of products from high-value recombinant proteins to cost-competitive renewable fuels. The IMB has excellent robotic cell culture, protein biochemistry and state-of-the-art cryo-EM facilities to support this work.

The candidate will ideally have a strong background in structural biology, biophysics and/or computing and image processing and will be focused on processing atomic resolution cryo-electron microscopy images towards atomic resolution structures using single particle processing (e.g CryoSPARC, Relion) strategies.

The University of Queensland (UQ) provides an excellent research environment and is regularly ranked in the top 50 world universities, top 2-5 Australian Universities and ERA 5 (well above world standards) in Biological Sciences, Plant Biology, Environmental Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering.

The Institute for Molecular Bioscience (UQ) is one of Australia’s premier research institutes providing a strongly supportive environment.

Within the IMB, the Centre for Solar Biotechnology provides a unique, well-equipped research environment with experience ranging from atomic resolution cryo-EM and precision CRISPR engineering through to demonstration-scale systems design.
The Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis provides state-of-the-art molecular analysis and imaging capability and integrates advanced cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-imaging mass spectrometry, correlative cryo-preparation (e.g. cryo FIB/SEM) and integrated image processing and data informatics tools related to this project.

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history

A working knowledge of protein biochemistry, biophysics and/or computing and mathematics would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You’ll demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of photosynthetic cell biology and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of photosynthesis and plant and/or microalgal biochemistry is highly desirable.

Before you apply

Before submitting an application you should:

1. check your eligibility for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
2. prepare your documentation
3. contact Professor Ben Hankamer (b.hankamer@imb.uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability
4. submit your application by 31 May, 2024 31 May, 2024.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for your program. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• ‘My higher degree is not collaborative’
• ‘I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship'
• ‘Other’, then ‘Research Project Scholarship’ and in the ‘Name of scholarship’ field enter MICROALGAE-HANKAMER.

Apply now