Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), University of Nottingham
BBSRC CASE PhD Studentship
Title: Improving the available Bioparts for process engineering of a Geobacillus chassis
Project Supervisors: Prof Nigel P Minton, Dr Ying Zhang and Dr Claes Gustafsson
Heightened concerns over global warming and fossil fuel supply, security and prices, has led to a
paradigm shift in perceived routes to chemical commodity production and energy generation. There is
a burgeoning need for the sustainable production of hydrocarbons for energy, lubricants and platform
and speciality chemicals though ‘biological engineering’. In partnership with DNA2.0, the Synthetic
Biology Research Centre (SBRC) at Nottingham are seeking transformational improvements to the
biological production of biofuels and other chemical commodities. DNA2.0 is a leading
bioengineering solutions provider based in Menlo Park, California. They offer an integrated pipeline
of solutions for biotechnology, including gene design, optimization, synthesis and cloning, as well as
platforms for protein and strain engineering.
The studentship will improve the performance of the Geobacillus process organism using Synthetic
Biology (SynBio) approaches. SynBio is a newly emerging field concerned with the design and
construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems, and the re-design of existing, natural
biological systems for useful purposes. Working with DNA2.0, the student will expand and optimise
the biological parts available for Geobacillus, focussing on those elements and components necessary
for maximising the expression of the enzymes required for both biomass utilisation and production of
the desired chemical products.
The project offers training in microbiology, molecular biology, fermentation, gas/liquid
chromatography, mass spectrometry, and synthetic biology/metabolic engineering. The student will,
be expected to spend a minimum of 3 months at DNA2.0 premises in California. The Nottingham
group (http:// www.clostron.com) is part of the BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre (BSBEC) and
additionally has numerous other transnational collaborations within Europe, South East Asia, India,
China and the USA, providing ample opportunity to take part in international conferences, workshops,
and exchange programmes.
The successful candidate will join a highly motivated and well-funded team (>£20M) of research
scientists dedicated to the molecular characterisation and exploitation of microbial chassis of
industrial importance. The group are located in state-of-the-art facilities in the newly completed,
£25M Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, a multidisciplinary research environment with frequent
seminars and a vibrant microbial research community.
Candidates should have, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second-class degree in a relevant
biological subject. This studentship is fully funded at the Standard Research Council stipend rates for
4 years. The student will be expected to start on 1 October 2014.
Applications should be in the form of a detailed CV and a covering letter. The CV should contain the
names and contacts (including Email addresses) of two referees, and the type, class and grade (or that
predicted) of your degree. Please send your application to Professor Nigel P Minton, Centre for
Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD. Email:
nigel.minton@nottingham.ac.uk