Version 2 Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras PhD Project Template Use one form per project Please complete & submit to international@nuigalway.ie as soon as possible, and by 27/11/2012 In your email, begin the subject line with [SWB] (be sure to use square brackets) to ensure that your email is filed correctly. Emails will be automatically filed PI name & contact details: School: Dr Dagmar Stengel Dagmar.stengel@nuigalway.ie Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute Has project been agreed with head (or nominee) of proposed registration school? yes Research Centre / group affiliation: Algal BioSciences, Botany and Plant Science, and Ryan Institute http://www.nuigalway.ie/botany/stengel_home.html Research group / centre website: www.ryaninstitute.ie PI website / link to CV: http://www.nuigalway.ie/botany/stengel_home.html http://www.nuigalway.ie/our-research/people/naturalsciences/dagmarstengel/ Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max): If you are already involved in relevant scholarly activities relating to Brazil, please mention them here. PI Research Interests: - application of algae (seaweeds and microalgae) in biotechnology and environmental research (e.g. climate change, environmental impact assessment, water quality) - sustainable utilisation of algal (e.g. seaweed) resources - impacts of environmental variability in algal biochemical (e.g. bioactive) composition and feedback mechanisms - targeted cultivation of algae for optimised production of biomass and metabolites with commercial value or potential Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web): Environmental control of bioactive compounds in selected Irish and Brazilian algae for biotechnological applications Version 2 Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras Evaluation of the control of bioactive compound production in selected species of marine algae The application of marine algae in biotechnology has recently received considerable attention. Algal taxonomic diversity and their ability to adapt to different environmental conditions have created a significant commercial opportunity to exploit algal metabolic compounds in the foods, cosmetics, horticultural, pharmaceutical industries. Algal bioactive compounds include both primary and secondary metabolites, and include compounds groups such as polysaccharides, phenolics, pigments etc. Despite extensive current international research efforts, the variability of marine bioactive compounds, and in particular the factors that control them are poorly understood. This project will concentrate on a small number of key candidate species which produce commercially valuable compounds. The project will contain aspects of quantifying and characterising natural spatial and temporal variability, and the optimised and targeted production of valuable compounds under controlled conditions through specific growth under culture conditions. Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway: NUI Galway projects should emphasise features that are not typically available in Brazil – specific equipment, multi-disciplinarity, aspects of structured programme, links with industry, placements, links with other research groups etc. Dr Dagmar Stengel is a lecturer in marine plant science and Leader of the Algal Biosciences Research Theme and Research Group Leader in the Ryan Institute at NUI Galway. Her research focuses on advancing fundamental and applied aspects of the biology, ecology and biotechnology of both macroalgae (seaweeds) and microalgae. Current research projects include aspects of sustainable commercial utilisation of algae and their role in marine ecosystem functioning and climate change research. The laboratory is well equipped for ecophysiological and analytical/biochemical research (e.g. HPLC, GC-MS) and algal cultivation under different regimes. A strong network of collaborators assures access to further facilities if required. The PI is currently collaborating closely with several seaweed/algal companies and the research group has access to high natural algal diversity in a wide range of near-pristine habitats on the Irish west coast. Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above: Dagmar.stengel@nuigalway.ie Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply: Marine Botany, Botany, Marine Science, Biotechnology, Environmental Science Version 2 Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area: Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only one (tick box): Engineering and other technological areas Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)/Physical Sciences (Mathematics, x Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences) Health and Biomedical Sciences / Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Computing Aerospace Pharmaceuticals Sustainable Agricultural Production Oil, Gas and Coal Renewable Energy Minerals, Minerals Technology Biotechnology x Nanotechnology and New Materials Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters Bioprospecting and Biodiversity x Marine Sciences x Creative Industry New technologies in constructive engineering Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders arrangements): Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): Y Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): Y Suitable for either Y