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(BBSRC NWD) Extending solar energy capture into the far-red via synthetic biology

Funding
Funded
Study mode
Full-time
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Start date
Subject area
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
How to apply
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Overview

Cyanobacteria were the first organisms to produce oxygen through photosynthesis, transforming Earth’s atmosphere and enabling complex life to evolve. Like plants, they normally rely on chlorophyll a to capture visible light and split water – the source of the oxygen we breathe. A new pigment, chlorophyll f, that allows cyanobacteria to grow in far-red light was recently discovered, allowing specialised cyanobacteria to capture the light that penetrates into shaded environments like rocks or microbial mats. Along with the synthesis of chlorophyll f, these cyanobacteria switch on genes to remodel their photosystems to bind this pigment, allowing them to photosynthesise even when visible light is absent.

About this opportunity

This project aims to uncover how these “far-red” photosynthetic systems work and how we might transfer this ability to other organisms. You will use advanced molecular biology tools—including yeast-based cloning and synthetic genomics—to build and test large gene clusters from model far-red cyanobacteria. By introducing these clusters into related species that normally cannot use far-red light, you’ll determine the minimal genetic requirements for this remarkable adaptation, and reveal how this gene set must be altered to enable far-red light capture in organisms that are increasingly distant relatives, from cyanobacteria to unicellular algae.

Ultimately, this research will guide efforts to engineer crops to use a broader range of the solar spectrum, enhancing photosynthesis in shaded environments (e.g. under canopies), which could lead to increased yields and resilience in a changing climate, essential to feed a more populated planet.

Further reading

1. Ho MY, Shen G, Canniffe DP, Zhao C, Bryant DA. Light-dependent chlorophyll f synthase is a highly divergent paralog of PsbA of photosystem II (2016) Science 353(6302):aaf9178
2. Antonaru LA, Selinger VM, Jung P, Di Stefano G, Sanderson ND, Barker L, Wilson DJ, Büdel B, Canniffe DP, Billi D, Nürnberg DJ. Common loss of far-red light photoacclimation in cyanobacteria from hot and cold deserts: a case study in the Chroococcidiopsidales (2023) ISME communications 3(1):113
3. Richardson SM, Mitchell LA, Stracquadanio G, Yang K, Dymond JS, DiCarlo JE, Lee D, Huang CL, Chandrasegaran S, Cai Y, Boeke JD. Design of a synthetic yeast genome (2017) Science 355(6329):1040-4
4. Chaudhary AK, Fuchs LK, Pawlak K, Dykes GF, Goodacre R, Nürnberg DJ, Canniffe DP. Synthesis of C8-vinyl chlorophylls d and f impairs far-red light photoacclimation and growth under far-red light (2025) bioRxiv 2025-05. (Accepted by Physiologia plantarum)
5. Trinugroho JP, Bečková M, Shao S, Yu J, Zhao Z, Murray JW, Sobotka R, Komenda J, Nixon PJ. Chlorophyll f synthesis by a super-rogue photosystem II complex. Nature Plants. 2020 Mar 13;6(3):238-44.

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Who is this for?

Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a minimum Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, engineering or technology.

International applicants

We are only able to offer a limited number of full studentships to applicants outside the UK. Therefore, full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality international candidates due to the competitive nature of this scheme.

International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) before applying. Visit our English Language requirements page to find out more.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Liverpool, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on our website.

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How to apply

  1. 1. Contact supervisors

    You will receive extensive training in cyanobacterial genetics, pigment analysis, genome engineering, and biophysical study of complex photosystems, and have access to world-leading facilities in the Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology at the University of Liverpool, the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, the Department of Physics at the Free University Berlin, and the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London.

     

  2. 2. Prepare your application documents

    Browse our BBSRC NWD in Bioscience projects and discover one you’re passionate about that matches your interests, ambitions and goals.

    Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.

    How to Apply

    All applications should be submitted through the University of Manchester application portal.

    Apply directly via this link, and select BBSRC DTP PhD as the programme of study. You may apply for up to two projects from the programme via this scheme. To do so, submit a single online application listing both project titles and the names of both main supervisors in the relevant sections.

    Please ensure that your application includes all required supporting documents:

    • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • Supporting Statement
    • Academic Certificates and Transcripts

    Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

    Applications should not be made through the University of Liverpool’s application portal.

    You must submit your application form along with the required supporting documents by the deadline date. You can select up to two projects on one single application, noting the title of each project from the advert and the supervisor name. This can include two projects from one institution or a project from each institution.

    Once you have completed your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email.

    Deadline: Sunday 7th December, midnight (UK time)

    Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

    If you need help with this stage of the process, or have any queries regarding your eligibility (such as if you achieved unexpectedly low degree results due to extenuating circumstances), please contact the Liverpool BBSRC team for advice at 

  3. 3. Apply

    Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

    Once you have applied through the University of Manchester portal, and if you are successfully offered a studentship following a formal interview, you will be instructed to apply formally through the University of Liverpool. You must only do this once you have been instructed to do so.

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Funding your PhD

These studentships are available to UK and international applicants, and provide funding for tuition fees and stipend at the UKRI rate, subject to eligibility, for four years. This does not include any costs associated with relocation. This scheme is open to both UK and international applicants.

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Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Liverpool BBSRC team
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