PhD Studentship: Fitness Effects of Ceratotoxin Antimicrobials in Insect Pests

This interdisciplinary PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia examines how fruit fly mothers protect their eggs using broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides known as Ceratotoxins. Operating within the ARIES Ecology and Biodiversity theme, the successful candidate will receive advanced training in molecular genetics, bioinformatics, and phenotypic engineering. The research involves testing fitness benefits, functional redundancy, and potential applications for pest management. Candidates are expected to conduct rigorous laboratory assays, genetic knockouts, and ecological evaluations.

• Design and execute fitness assays to evaluate survival, fertility, and microbial interactions under semi-natural conditions.
• Perform molecular genetic manipulations, including CRISPR-Cas9 knock-outs of Ceratotoxin gene combinations.
• Analyze microbial community composition using 16S rDNA sequencing and bioinformatics pipelines.
• Test the antimicrobial spectrum and potency of synthetic peptide mixtures.
• Explore practical applications for insect control through experimentation, modeling, or literature synthesis.
• Participate in interdisciplinary training and contribute to an inclusive research environment.