The role of zinc in the adaptation of diatoms to conditions of polar oceans

MOCK_UENV25ARIES

The role of zinc in the adaptation of diatoms to conditions of polar oceans

MOCK_UENV25ARIES

Project Description

Supervisors

Professor Thomas Mock, Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia – contact me

Professor Cock van Oosterhout, ENV at UEA

Dr Glen Wheeler, The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Plymouth

 

Scientific background

Diatoms are the main primary producers in polar oceans, where photosynthesis is largely limited by seasonal fluctuation in light, temperature and the extent of sea ice. Additionally, essential trace metals such as iron and zinc play an important role in controlling the biomass of polar primary producers. Polar diatoms appear to have a particularly high demand for zinc, thereby largely determining zinc distribution throughout the global ocean. The reason for the enhanced requirement of zinc in polar diatoms remains enigmatic. However, the first genome sequences from a polar diatom and other cold-adapted algae revealed adaptive expansions of gene families containing zinc-binding domains. The elevated concentrations of zinc in polar oceans may thus have aided the expansion of these zinc-binding domains. As specific gene families involved in photosynthesis and carbon fixation were both co-expanded and co-expressed, it suggests that zinc plays an important role in supporting photosynthetic growth in polar phytoplankton.

Research methodology

The main aim of this project is to produce the first molecular genetics and biochemical data on the role of zinc in the physiological adaptation of cold-adapted diatoms. You will work in the laboratory with a cold-adapted model diatom and will apply the latest reverse genetics tools (e.g. CRISPR-Cas) in combination with sequencing (RNA/DNA) and photosynthesis measurements (e.g. carbon acquisition, quantum yield) to characterise to role of conserved low-temperature inducible regulatory genes with zinc-binding domains (e.g. zf-MYND) that are co-regulated with photosynthesis genes. A combination of these experimental approaches together with an evolutionary analysis will provide first insights into the role of zinc-binding domains in supporting photosynthesis in polar marine microalgae.

Training

You will gain skills in the latest reverse-genetics tools such as CRISPR-Cas and sequence analyses, algal cultivation, photosynthesis measurements, protein biochemistry, bioinformatics and evolutionary biology.

Person specification

A degree in Biological Science or equivalent. We are looking for an enthusiastic student who is excited about applying diverse techniques from the field of molecular microbiology to understand the adaptation and evolution of microalgae in polar oceans.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Biological Science

References

  • Ye et al. (2022) The role of zinc in the adaptive evolution of polar phytoplankton. Nature Ecology and Evolution (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-022-01750-x)
  • Clark et al. (2023) Multi-omics for studying and understanding polar life. Nature Communications (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-43209-y)
  • Strauss et al. (2023) Plastid-localized xanthorhodopsin increases diatom biomass and ecosystems productivity in iron-limited surface oceans. Nature Microbiology (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-023-01498-5)
  • Falciatore & Mock (Eds.) (2022) The Molecular Life of Diatoms, pp 808, Springer International Publishing (https://link.springer.com/book/9783030924980)
  • Mock et al. (2017) Evolutionary genomics of the cold-adapted diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus. Nature (DOI: 10.1038/nature20803)

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2025. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 8th January 2025.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£19,237 p.a. for 2024/25) and research funding. 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 postgradute researcher (PGRs) benefit from bespoke graduate 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.
  • 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 imigration 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 ask to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • If funded under the BBSRC-NERC DLA scheme, ARIES studentships will be 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. See https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information

Apply Now

Apply via the  University of East Anglia application portal