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Structuring Role of Confined Water in Biointerfaces under Extreme Conditions

PGR-P-1514

Key facts

Type of research degree
PhD
Application deadline
Ongoing deadline
Country eligibility
International (open to all nationalities, including the UK)
Funding
Non-funded
Supervisors
Professor Michael Rappolt
Schools
School of Food Science and Nutrition
<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

50 years of structural lipid bilayer modelling has led to a detailed knowledge on the structural and mechanical properties of biomimetic membrane models and helped enormously our understanding of cell life and has led to a vast amount of ground-breaking applications in for instance advanced drug delivery and bioenergy solutions. At the same time, great progress has been achieved on membrane hydration (including the research on hydration forces and simulation studies), however, our picture of nano-confined water in lipid self-assemblies is still far from being complete.<br /> <br /> This PhD studentship aims to address this gap and investigates the interplay between lipid membranes and confined water in minute detail, and hereby, considering the structural worlds of lipid aggregates and confined water as an inseparable unit. This holistic approach will help solving open fundamental questions on hydration and structure to function relationship in biointerfaces. Hereby, we will focus on various unsolved aspects of interfacial water by characterizing physical and dynamical properties of lyotropic, biomimetic model membranes with experimental and theoretical methods. A novel aspect of the project is to consider biointerfaces under extreme conditions, both physical and chemical, which are known to result in significant perturbation to water properties.

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Full description</h2>

<table class="MsoTableGrid" style="width:635px; border-collapse:collapse; border:none" width="635"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p style="margin-top:4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This project aims to initiate a new chapter in lipid membrane research. Providing a fundamentally new, universal approach on characterizing the molecular structure of biomimetic membranes. This includes determining the nanostructure of lipid self-assemblies in parallel to the co-involved confined water structure. This Bragg PhD studentship will specifically focus on the interplay of lipid-self assemblies and water under full to low hydration and sub-zero environmental conditions.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top:4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since the early years of the first bilayer models of Gorter and Grendel in 1925, biomembrane-research has come a long way. Both, our experimental techniques at hand as well as our biophysical knowledge has improved manifold. We recognise now that biomembranes come in many shapes and with a broad range of compositional variation. Depending on their functional purpose, biointerfaces are flat and have saddle-like shape or display curved tubular and spherical micellar aggregation forms. Moreover, life has to withstand a broad range of extreme environmental settings, such as high pressures of the deep sea, dry desert conditions and a broad range of temperatures. Extreme environments place severe physiochemical constraints on life, altering osmotic pressure, internal dynamics and macromolecular interactions. Such extreme conditions result in significant perturbations to water structure.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top:4px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This PhD studentship aims to determine the structure and dynamics of model membrane systems mimicking these biointerfaces. In particular, we will focus on the confined water of these lipid/water systems in great detail, and hereby shedding light on its interaction with the lipid matrix. Clarifying how confined water behaves under well-defined extreme conditions, e.g., from full hydration to low relative humidity or sub-zero temperatures, as well as investigating how the structure of water differs under the influence of different types of confinement (planar, tubular, spherical and saddle-like landscapes), will be key to this project. Finally, the influence of compatible solutes which are known to be critical for life in extreme environments, shedding light on the interfacial structure to function relationship of these solutes in well-defined confined spaces</span></span></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="color:black">Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application. We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</span></span></span></em></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="color:black">Please note that you must provide the following documents at the point you submit your application: </span></span></span></em></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="color:black">Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</span></span></span></em></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="color:black">Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</span></span></span></em></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="color:black">CV</span></span></span></em></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom:11px; margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="color:black">Funding information including any alternative sources of funding that you are applying for or if you are able to pay your own fees and maintenance</span></span></span></em></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University&#39;s website</a>. Please state clearly in the research information section&nbsp;that the research degree you wish to be considered fo, as well as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University&#39;s minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Entry requirements</h2>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">English language requirements</h2>

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<h2 class="heading">Funding on offer</h2>

<p><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:#4a4a4a">The </span></span></span></span></em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/209-leeds-doctoral-scholarships-2022" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline"><em>Leeds Doctoral Scholarships</em></a></span></span></span><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:#4a4a4a"> and </span></span></span></span></em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2022" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline"><em>Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship</em></a></span></span></span><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:#4a4a4a"> are available to UK applicants. The </span></span></span></span></em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/102-bell-burnell-scholarship-award-awarded-by-the-iop" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline"><em>Bell Burnell Scholarship Award</em></a></span></span></span><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:#4a4a4a"> is available to support applicants who are from groups that are currently under-represented in physics (awarded by the IOP).&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline"><em>Alumni Bursary</em></a></span></span></span><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:#4a4a4a"> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds.</span></span></span></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif">Any costs associated with your arrival at the University of Leeds to start your PhD including flights, immigration health surcharge/medical insurance and Visa costs are <strong><u>not</u></strong> covered under this studentship.</span></span></span></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em>Please refer to the </em><a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline"><em>UKCISA</em></a><em> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals. (Fee Assessment would likely be required)</em></span></span></span></p>

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

<p><em><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt; font-size:12.0pt; padding:0cm"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">m.rappolt@leeds.ac.uk</span></span></span></span></em></p> <p>For further information please contact PGR Admissions: env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk</p>