Multiple PhD Scholarships available - Cutting-edge research at the frontiers of Whole Cell Modelling
Job No.: 683222
Location: Clayton campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: 3.5 to 4-year fixed-term appointment
Remuneration: $41,753 pa stipend
- Additional funding available to support travel and advanced training
- Collaborate with MACSYS Researchers at four other universities
The MACSYS Node at Monash University has multiple PhD Scholarships available to work on some exciting projects. Conduct cutting-edge research at the frontiers of Whole Cell Modelling!
Projects include:
Integrative Modelling of the Bacterial Cell Envelope – From Molecular Structure to Metabolic Function: The cell envelope is the interface between a bacterial cell and its environment. MACSYS is currently modelling the structure and function of these cell envelopes for several bacterial species. The most powerful models have several parameters set from experimental observations, in this case data gathered through the use of electron-microscopy, proteomics and metabolomics. This project will study large protein secretion systems, drug-efflux pumps and lipid transport towers to provide means to integrate spatial information and metabolic movements across the cell envelope, to help inform mathematical models that integrate all of the envelope’s function.
Uncovering RNA-RNA Networks in the Regulation of Bacterial Surface Proteins: Bacterial cell surfaces are studded with various proteins that permit or prevent small molecule movement into the cytoplasm. In order to access nutrients from their environments, bacterial cells regulate the synthesis and assembly of these cell surface proteins. A major and complex means by which bacterial gene expression is regulated to control surface protein production depends on RNA-RNA interactions to modulate protein translation. This project will use RNA cross-linking technology to understand all of the RNA-mediated control elements that contribute to the system of regulation that links metabolic needs with gene expression and cell surface remodelling.
Systems Biology of Bacterial Defence – Integrating Multi-Omics to Model Microbial Survival: Outside of optimal laboratory conditions, bacterial cells face dangers such as bacteriophages, protein toxins delivered from other microbes, antibiotic drugs and toxic chemicals, as well as antibodies in infection contexts. We have gathered libraries of phage and compounds to create test environments to trigger bacterial responses. Using transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses, we will monitor the responsiveness of several bacterial species to these various dangers, to inform the design of, and test, mathematical models that will be generally applicable across a larger cross-section of important species of bacteria.
Modelling Evolution – Predicting Bacterial Adaptation Using Whole-Cell Models: Bacterial populations evolve in response to selective pressures such as bacteriophages, antimicrobial agents, interspecies interactions, and host immune responses. In this project, you will use whole cell mathematical models (WCMs) to generate predictions about evolutionary outcomes under defined conditions, then design and run bacterial evolution experiments to test those predictions. By comparing model forecasts with genomic and phenotypic data from the evolving populations, you will test whether a deep understanding of the cell can inform predictions of bacterial adaptation.
Supporting a diverse workforce
