Join the Centre for Programmable Biological Matter and become part of a team turning imagination into novel future innovations building nanomachines that are biocompatible, biodegradable and capable of carrying out useful tasks that are not seen or even possible in nature.
Application Process
The link provided under the current available position will direct you to the University Application Portal system. You will need to register and provide relevant information and documents online. The application will then go to the relevant area for processing. If approved, you will obtain an offer letter as well as an email asking if you would like to provide preferences for college accommodation. We look forward to receiving your application.
Current Opportunities
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PhD position available to work together within our Protein Design subgroup
Designer Proteins for Biological Applications
About the Project
Advances in computational techniques now allow us to design artificial nanoscale structures from biological molecules such as proteins: We are entering the age of designed biological nanorobotics. These have a multitude of potential uses: from dynamic molecular motors to as agricultural stimulants. In this project you will join an active team where you will be a key player in designing and harnessing protein nanomachines for a variety of goals. This will include designing protein nanomotors able to move cargoes through space and redesign of plant receptors to enhance symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. Through protein design, we can realise a new generation of proteins that offer novel solutions in medicine, agriculture and beyond.
What Will You Do?
Design and Program: Using AI-based techniques, you will develop and enhance new proteins including motor proteins and modules for plant immune receptors (to aid in facilitating recognition of rhizobia).
Dry Lab analysis to Wet Lab validation: The project will involve translating computational design to experimental validation with cutting-edge structural biology and biophysical protein-protein interaction techniques.
Innovative Research Methods: Employ a combination of molecular biology, biochemical, and biophysical approaches, including x-ray crystallography and advanced protein-protein interaction techniques, to gain a deeper understanding of the relevant molecular mechanisms and interactions.
Be at the Forefront: This project stands to lay the foundation of molecular machines, protein design, plant receptor bioengineering and next-generation sustainable agriculture.
What Will You Gain?
Cutting-edge skills: Acquire a diverse and advanced skill set in molecular biology, computational and experimental structural biology, biochemistry, and biophysics.
Impactful Research: Your work has the potential to significantly contribute to our understanding of both molecular motors function and can be harnessed to perform useful work and of symbiosis and the development of novel nitrogen-fixing crops.
Interdisciplinary Experience: Engage in an interdisciplinary field, collaborating with experts across different domains of science and technology.
Make Positive Impact: Success in this project will contribute to developing next generation nanorobotics and sustainable future for the coming generations.
Prospective candidates will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:
at least a UK 2:1 honours degree classification (or equivalent) in a relevant subject
English language proficiency to the required standard (English Language Requirements – Durham University)
Strong evidence of problem solving
2 satisfactory academic references
Funding
The studentship is open for home and overseas students.
For the eligible and successful applicant, the funding covers a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (is £18,622 for 2023/24) and the full tuition fees.
To apply for this studentship, applicants should submit their application using the online system: https://studyatdurham.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-US/. Please select PhD in Biological Sciences: Course Code C1A001.
Applications will be processed as they are received until the position is filled.
For informal discussion or further on the position, interested candidates should contact Prof. Jonathan Heddle (heddlelab@durham.ac.uk) before submitting their application.
Designer Proteins for Biological Applications at Durham University on FindAPhD.com
Please submit your application using the online system: https://studyatdurham.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-US/ . Please select PhD in Biological Sciences: Course Code C1A001
References
- Stupka, I., Azuma, Y., Biela, A.P., Imamura, M., Scheuring, S., Pyza, E., Woźnicka, O., Maskell, D.P. and Heddle, J.G.* (2022) Chemically induced protein cage assembly with programmable opening and cargo release. Sci. Adv. 8, eabj9424-
- Majsterkiewicz, A., Biela, A. P., Maity, S., Sharma, M.,2, Piette, B. M. A. G., Kowalczyk, A., Gaweł, S., Chakraborti, S., Roos, W. H., Heddle, J. G.* (2022) An artificial protein cage with unusual geometry and regularly embedded gold nanoparticles. Nano Lett., 22, 3187–3195
- Biela, A., Naskalska, A., Fatehi, F., Twarock, R., Heddle, J.G.* (2022). Programmable Polymorphism of a Virus-Like Particle. Commun. Mater., 3, 1-9
- Naskalska, A., Borzęcka-Solarz, K., Różycki, J., Stupka, I., Bochenek, M., Pyza, E., Heddle, J. G.* (2021). Artificial Protein Cage Delivers Active Protein Cargos to the Cell Interior. Biomacromolecules, 22, 4146-4154.
- Malay, A. D.; Miyazaki, N.; Biela, A.; Chakraborti, S.; Majsterkiewicz, K.; Stupka, I.; Kaplan, C. S.; Kowalczyk, A.; Piette, B. M. A. G.; Hochberg, G. K. A.; Wu, D.; Wrobel, T. P.; Fineberg, A.; Kushwah, M. S.; Kelemen, M.; Vavpetič, P.; Pelicon, P.; Kukura, P.; Benesch, J. L. P.; Iwasaki, K.; Heddle, J. G. * (2019) An ultra-stable gold-coordinated protein cage displaying reversible assembly Nature, 569, 438-442
PhD position available to work together with the RNA/DNA Area
Designing and Understanding protein-lipid nanorobots
About the Project
Project Description: Make your mark in the burgeoning field of Biological Nanorobotics! In this project you will bring together protein design and lipid engineering to imagine and build new hybrid structures which will mimic living cells at the nanoscale. These provide novel structural and functional capabilities not previously realised. Ultimately your research will allow us to develop more sophisticated, dynamic biological nanorobots and smart drug delivery systems. In an era where the boundaries of science and technology are continually expanding, you will have the chance to be at the forefront of designing artificial lipid-protein nanostructures.
What Will You Do?
Innovate and Build: Merge lipid nanotechnology with protein design. To create hybrid structures with unprecedented structural and functional capabilities.
Utilise Advanced Tools: Harness the power of state-of-the-art lab-based biochemistry with latest in protein design software, including Deep Learning methods.
Experiment and Discover: Apply molecular biology and biochemistry techniques to craft and evaluate advanced systems, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Explore and Confirm: Master the art of cryo-electron microscopy to isolate, understand, and validate the structures of the systems you develop.
Collaborate and Advance: Take the most promising nanorobots to the next level in cellular studies, working alongside experienced collaborators.
What Will You Gain?
Comprehensive Skills: Acquire a diverse set of skills ranging from molecular biology and protein/ biochemistry to lipid nanotechnology, protein design, eukaryotic cell studies, and structural biology.
Innovative Environment: Work in an environment that encourages creativity and breakthroughs, which may eventually lead to real-world applications, particularly in developing dynamic biological nanorobots and intelligent drug delivery systems.
Future-Ready Expertise: Equip yourself with expertise that’s highly valued in academia and industry, preparing you for a future where nanotechnology plays a pivotal role.
You will work at the newly established Centre for Programmable Biological Matter (CPBM) at Durham University, a large, well-funded, and ambitious lab that aims to break new ground in engineering biology and synthetic structural biology. The lab is driven by the question, “What if we can make artificial biological nanomachines?” Together, we aim to be world-leading in the novelty and capabilities of our designs, and make a major contribution to the field, which is expected to be the foundation for a Fifth Industrial Revolution.
Prospective candidates will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:
at least a UK 2:1 honours degree classification (or equivalent) in a relevant subject
English language proficiency to the required standard (English Language Requirements – Durham University)
Strong evidence of problem solving
2 satisfactory academic references
Funding
The studentship is open for home students only.
For the eligible and successful applicant, the funding covers a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (is £19,237 for 2024/25) and the full tuition fees
To apply for this studentship, applicants should submit their application using the online system: https://studyatdurham.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-US/. Please select PhD in Biological Sciences: Course Code C1A001.
Applications will be processed as they are received until the position is filled.
For informal discussion or further on the position, interested candidates should contact Prof. Jonathan Heddle (heddlelab@durham.ac.uk) before submitting their application.
References
- Malay, Ali D., et al. “An ultra-stable gold-coordinated protein cage displaying reversible assembly.” Nature 569.7756 (2019): 438-442.
- Naskalska, Antonina, et al. “Artificial protein cage delivers active protein cargos to the cell interior.” Biomacromolecules 22.10 (2021): 4146-4154.
- Stupka, Izabela, et al. “Chemically induced protein cage assembly with programmable opening and cargo release.” Science Advances 8.1 (2022): eabj9424.
- Stępień P, S et al. “CRAFTing Delivery of Membrane Proteins into Protocells using Nanodiscs.” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2023 Nov 28;15(49):56689-701.
