MSc by Research: Optimizing plant cell wall glycan extraction to support plant health and biotechnology research

About the Project

Plant cell wall glycans are a major component of plant biomass, essential for plant physiology, development, and protection against environmental stress and disease. They also provide raw materials for valuable economic products, including wood, textiles, paper, biofuels, and food additives such as gelling and thickening agents. Additionally, they serve as dietary fiber, which supports human nutrition and immune health. Due to their abundance and potential, plant glycans have become a focus of extensive research to better understand their structure and metabolism (both biosynthesis and degradation) and to develop methods to manipulate them. Such research could inform biotechnological applications, helping to improve plant health as well as reduce our dependence on plastics, fossil fuels and promoting healthier, more sustainable living. Progress in this field is however hindered by several challenges, including the complexity of glycan structures and purification approaches, high costs, low extraction yields, and limited biochemical and genetic tools.

In this project, we aim to develop, test, and optimize methods for extracting and purifying plant cell wall glycans using a combination of microbial enzymes, genetically engineered microbes, glycan-degrading enzymes, and other chemical reagents. We will also characterize their structure and investigate the metabolism in the contexts of plant health and disease.

The student will gain hands-on experience with a range of techniques, including gene cloning, protein expression and purification, microbial culturing and genetic modification and glycan analysis using mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and structural biology.

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.

Please see our website for further details on the programme and how to apply:

Life Sciences MSc by Research MSc by Research (Postgraduate) : Study : University of Dundee

Please note before submitting your application that you must list your top three project choices in the Research Proposal section of the application form.

When you complete your application form, you should include your top 3 project choices, 2 letters of reference, uploaded under "Other Information" > "Supporting documents" and a personal statement. Failure to do so will delay your application.

Please note when submitting an application, please note our intake deadlines on the ‘how to apply’ section of our website.