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This project will study the details of a protease existing in the common sunflower, by making it in bacteria, purifying it and examining its properties in vitro.
- Summary of the project
- Eligibility criteria
- Readings
- Contact the research team
- How to apply
- Scholarships
Summary of the project
Most proteins have a start and an end: their amino and carboxyl termini. Some proteins have termini connected head-to-tail, creating a circular protein without termini. These protein macrocycles range in size but are often small and often have drug applications.
A small protein 'ring' exists naturally in the seeds of the common sunflower where its role is thought to be protection from insects. In sunflower seeds this protein is made into its ringed shape by an enzyme that usually cuts proteins (a protease), but in this case the protease has evolved a remarkable ability to ligate proteins too.
This project will study the details of this protease by making it in bacteria, purifying it and examining its properties in vitro. We will also endeavour to understand what changes in sequence have allowed this protease to cut as well as join proteins.
This project will involve interaction with a team of protein crystallographers and its recombineering techniques will be applicable to many research areas.
Eligibility criteria
General UWA PhD entrance requirements can be found on the Future Students website.
Requirement specific to this project:
- Experience with recombinant protein expression and purification
Readings
- Mylne et al. (2012) 'Cyclic peptides arising by evolutionary parallelism via asparaginyl-endopeptidase-mediated biosynthesis.' Plant Cell. 24(7):2765-78.
- Mylne JS, et al. (2011) 'Albumins and their processing machinery are hijacked for cyclic peptides in sunflower.' Nat Chem Biol. 7(5):257-9.
Contact the research team leader
Once you have ensured that you meet the eligibility criteria and are ready to discuss a proposal, contact the research team leader to identify a potential supervisor.- Research team leader: Dr Joshua Mylne
- In 2013 I joined the Faculty of Science at The University of Western Australia and took up an ARC Future Fellowship, jointly appointed in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology. My research interests are protein evolution, plant chemical biology and biosynthesis of bioactive peptides.
How to apply
After you have discussed your project with the research team leader you should be in a position to proceed to step two of the UWA application process: 'Lodge an application'.
Different procedures apply to domestic and international students.
Scholarships
Domestic students
All domestic students may apply for Research Training Program and University Postgraduate Awards (UPA) scholarships.
The Australian Government's Endeavour Awards and Scholarships are available to Australian applicants for study in participating countries and regions.
International students
A range of scholarships are available from international organisations and governments. The full list, organised by country, is available on the Future Students website.
In addition, all international students may apply for International Research Training Program scholarships.
The Australian Government's Endeavour Awards and Scholarships are available to international applicants from participating countries and regions.
Indigenous students
Indigenous students are encouraged to apply for Indigenous Postgraduate Research Supplementary Scholarships.
Forrest Foundation scholarships
All international and Australian students who wish to study towards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at The University of Western Australia may apply for Forrest Scholarships.
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
