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This project investigates functions of mitochondrial proteases in plants.
- Summary of the project
- Eligibility criteria
- Readings
- Contact the research team leader
- How to apply
- Scholarships
Summary of the project
Energy production via respiration is essential for plant growth and development. Plant mitochondria are the organelles for energy production, with coordinated operation of enzymes and the electron transport chain (Millar et al., 2011). To maintain the function of proteins, mitochondria have a proteolytic system that can specifically recognize and then process or degrade proteins in the organelle, such as removal of presequences (Huang et al., 2009).
There are three groups of proteases in mitochondria namely: processing peptidases, ATP-dependent proteases and oligopeptidases (Kwasniak et al., 2012).
However, the modes of actions of most mitochondrial proteases and their roles in plant growth and development are still unknown.
The specific aims of this project are:
- to characterise the roles of mitochondrial proteases in development and in response to stresses.
- to determine the modes of actions of mitochondrial proteases at the molecular, biochemical and physiological levels
This project will train PhD students in a diversity of advanced bioinformatic, molecular, genomic, proteomic and metabolomic skills used in biology.
Eligibility criteria
General UWA PhD entrance requirements can be found on the Future Students website.
Requirement specific to this project:
- Laboratory research experience in biochemistry/molecular biology
- Sound knowledge of biochemistry/molecular biology
Readings
- Millar AH, Whelan J, Soole KL, Day DA (2011) Organization and Regulation of Mitochondrial Respiration in Plants. Annual Review of Plant Biology 62: 79-104
- Huang S, Taylor NL, Whelan J, Millar AH (2009) Refining the definition of plant mitochondrial presequences through analysis of sorting signals, N-terminal modifications, and cleavage motifs. Plant Physiology 150: 1272-1285
- Kwasniak M, Pogorzelec L, Migdal I, Smakowska Eand, Janska H (2012) Proteolytic system of plant mitochondria. Physiologia Plantarum 145: 187–195.
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 Shaobai Huang
- I am Associate Professor/ARC Future Fellow at ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, the University of Western Australia. My work is in plant biochemistry and physiology, focusing on plant mitochondria.
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
This research project may be able to offer scholarships to applicants who are Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents. Contact the research team for further information.
All domestic students may apply for for Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) and University Postgraduate Awards (UPA) scholarships.
All international students may apply for Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) and International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS).
Indigenous students are encouraged to apply for an Indigenous postgraduate research supplementary scholarship.
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
