The global impact of fungi in the fight against climate change: Friend or foe?

The global impact of fungi in the fight against climate change: Friend or foe?

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Stefan Bidula, School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of East Anglia

Professor Jonathan Todd, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia

Professor Paul Nicholson, John Innes Centre

 

Scientific Background

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a stress molecule produced by marine organisms such as phytoplankton, algae, corals, and some plants. It is broken down to the gas dimethyl sulphide (DMS) by marine bacteria, providing the characteristic smell of the sea. However, DMS also has a direct impact on climate change by promoting the formation of climate cooling clouds that reflect the Sun’s rays back into space.

There is growing evidence that fungi can also convert DMSP to DMS but the reasons underlying this are unknown. This has raised some important questions. Did fungi acquire this ability from bacteria by gene transfer, or have fungi evolved mechanisms to degrade DMSP? Is the interaction of fungi with marine plants symbiotic or pathogenic? What impact does this have on the global climate?  The recruited postgraduate researcher (PGR) will be pioneering research understanding this process in marine fungi and assessing the contribution of these understudied organisms to climate change.

 

Research Methodology

The PGR will conduct fieldwork to identify and quantify the abundance of fungi which break down DMSP, or produce DMSP themselves. They will use cutting-edge molecular techniques and generate gene knockouts to identify new enzymes and pathways involved in this process. Finally, the PGR will utilise plant infection models and high-resolution microscopy to determine the impact of DMSP utilisation on fungal colonisation and invasion.

 

Training

The PGR will join a vibrant and supportive laboratory group with a wide range of experience from master’s to post-doctoral level. They will receive hands-on training in fluorescent microscopy, fungal culture, transcriptomics, next-generation sequencing, molecular microbiology, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and gas chromatography. Advice on scientific communication, writing, and data analytics will be provided. Presentation of data at national and international conferences is encouraged and the PGR will have access to the wider network of the Centre for Microbial Interactions at the University of East Anglia which consists of over 200 researchers studying all Kingdoms of life.

 

Person Specification

We seek an enthusiastic and inquisitive individual with a background in a subject aligned with the Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or Genetics.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a subject aligned with the Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or Genetics.

Project code: BIDULA_UEA_ARIES26

References

  • Wang J, Curson ARJ, Zhou S, et al. Alternative dimethylsulfoniopropionate biosynthesis enzymes in diverse and abundant microorganisms. Nat Microbiol. 2024;9(8):1979-1992. doi:10.1038/s41564-024-01715-9
  • Kirkwood M, Todd JD, Rypien KL, Johnston AW. The opportunistic coral pathogen Aspergillus sydowii contains dddP and makes dimethyl sulfide from dimethylsulfoniopropionate. ISME J. 2010;4(1):147-150. doi:10.1038/ismej.2009.102
  • Liu X, Wang XR, Zhou F, Xue YR, Yu XY, Liu CH. Novel insights into dimethylsulfoniopropionate cleavage by deep subseafloor fungi. Sci Total Environ. 2024;933:173057. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173057
  • Carrión O, Li CY, Peng M, et al. DMSOP-cleaving enzymes are diverse and widely distributed in marine microorganisms. Nat Microbiol. 2023;8(12):2326-2337. doi:10.1038/s41564-023-01526-4
  • Todd JD, Curson AR, Dupont CL, Nicholson P, Johnston AW. The dddP gene, encoding a novel enzyme that converts dimethylsulfoniopropionate into dimethyl sulfide, is widespread in ocean metagenomes and marine bacteria and also occurs in some Ascomycete fungi. Environ Microbiol. 2009;11(6):1376-1385. doi:10.1111/j.1462-2920.2009.01864.x

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2026. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 7 January 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via the  University of East Anglia Application Portal