###HIGH THROUGHPUT METAGENOME MINING FOR ENZYME DISCOVERY, LARGE-SCALE LIBRARY CREATION AND ASSAY
Project ID: 2228bd1077 (You will need this ID for your application)
Research Theme: Manufacturing The Future
UCL Lead department: Biochemical Engineering
Lead Supervisor: Jack Jeffries
Project Summary:
As Biocatalysis plays an increasing role in industrial processes, there is a growing requirement for enzymes with wider substrate tolerances, new and higher activities. Concurrently, the requirement to find Greener and more sustainable routes to high value chemicals is becoming increasingly critical. To address this challenge, we have used Metagenomics as a source of enzymes for Green synthetic chemistry, renewable feedstock valorisation and plastic degradation.
The project will build on previous metagenomic work, constructing a semi-automated high throughput pipeline for large-scale metagenomic enzyme discovery, library creation and assay. This library will be continually expanded as new metagenomes and novel enzymes sequences are mined.
Objectives
The preferred candidate will have experience in bioinformatics, with the ability to code to the standard required to automate the metagenomics pipeline. Understanding and experience with basic molecular biology techniques, such as PCR and cloning in E. coli, is desirable but not essential. The candidate will have or be expected to gain at least an upper second-class degree or equivalent at Masters level in Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biochemical Engineering or related degree. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop a powerful new platform for enzyme discovery, identifying and assaying novel enzymes, gaining experience in metagenomics, molecular biology, biocatalysis and analytical techniques such as HPLC and Mass spectrometry