Tackling the fungal threat to global food security
Fact file
| Duration |
Three to four years full-time |
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| Eligibility |
Self-funded; Home, EU or International Students |
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| Supervisor(s) |
Professor Simon Avery
Dr M Brock
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| Application deadline |
No deadline |
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About the project
Fungi cause diseases of crops and spoilage of foods that cause losses of up to a third of food yield. This is a major global challenge given the world’s growing population and need for more food, while climate change is predicted to limit food supply in the future. Food-borne fungal human-pathogens add further to the problem. New approaches are urgently needed to limit fungal growth on crops and foods. This project will explore modifications to existing approaches, like preservation with weak acids, as well as novel synergistic combination treatments applicable in the field and post-harvest products. There will be a strong element of in vitro laboratory experiments, including molecular mode-of-action studies with yeast and fungal model organisms. The Avery laboratory has expertise in elucidating mechanisms of action as well as the phenomenon of cell individuality (phenotypic heterogeneity), relevant to preservative resistance. The project will benefit from interactions with collaborators, in particular at Nottingham, Edinburgh and Sao Paulo. The project will provide excellent training opportunities and successful candidates will join an active group within the highly rated School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham.
Funding notes
This project is available to self-funded students. Home applicants should contact the supervisor to determine the current funding status for this project. EU applicants should visit the Graduate School webpages for information on specific EU scholarships. International applicants should visit our International Research Scholarships page for information regarding fees and funding at the University.
References
- Vallieres C, Raulo R, Dickinson MJ and Avery SV. Novel combinations of agents targeting translation that synergistically inhibit fungal pathogens. Under review.
- Stratford M, Steels H, Novodvorska M, Archer DB and Avery SV. Extreme osmotolerance and halotolerance in food-relevant yeasts and the role of glycerol-dependent cell individuality. Under review.
- Vallieres C and Avery SV (2017). Metal-based combinations that target protein synthesis by fungi. Adv. Microb. Physiol 70:105-21.
See this project on FindaPhD
Tackling the fungal threat to global food security