Opportunities

Micro- or nanoscale encapsulation and entrapment have been widely used to improve the dispersibility, stability, bioactivity, and handling of the core materials in the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and agriculture industries. For agriculture/horticultural settings, numerous studies have demonstrated controlled-release formulation by encapsulating the ingredients. Although synthetic polymers as wall materials can provide some advantages, such as high chemical stability, those non-biodegradable polymers contribute to microplastic pollution in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Biodegradable materials with durability that can be used in encapsulation or entrapment processes are desirable.

Chitosan (Ch)/gum Arabic (GA), Ch/keratin, and Ch/gelatine have been used as biodegradable materials in complex coacervation microcapsule preparations. Chitin is a natural biopolymer found in crustaceans, insects, and certain fungi. Chitin can also be extracted from various life stages of the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens, purified and converted to Ch by deacetylation. BSF has been widely investigated as a protein source for food and feed or an organic waste management tool. The shedding and cocoons of BSF are chitin-rich byproducts of the growing industries. Recently, 1-octanol and 1-nonanol have shown promising oviposition deterrent activities against pest fruit flies. These compounds are highly volatile and hence require appropriate formulations for controlled release in agricultural settings.

This project is an MRes 2nd year project, based in Applied BioSciences at Macquarie University. The project is a proof of concept that the wall materials of micro- and nanocapsules may be obtained from BSF. The aims are:

1. Extract chitin from shedding and cocoons of BSF and convert it to Ch
2. Encapsulate the oviposition deterrents by complex coacervation using the obtained Ch and GA
3. Characterize the obtained microcapsules
4. Evaluate release kinetics of the core materials.

Chitin extraction will be completed by demineralisation and deproteinization, followed by deacetylation of chitin to afford Ch. Complex coacervation will be completed by emulsifying the aqueous polymer solutions and the core materials and adjusting pH. Microcapsules will be characterised by XRD, FTIR, TGA, entrapment efficiency, ζ-potential, particle size analysis, and morphology examination with TEM and SEM. Release kinetics will be studied by gravimetric analysis.

Scholarships are available to eligible candidates:

• Research Training Pathway (RTP/iRTP) Masters of Research (MRes) Year 2 which is followed by a Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship (MQRES/iMQRES) for a 3 year PhD (provisional on your performance). This is referred to as an MRes/PhD ‘bundle offer’. Upon admission the subsequent PhD project from topics in material sciences and analytical chemistry will be developed.

The value and tenure of the scholarship is:

• $28,854 pa stipend (subject to indexation, tax free) for up to four years for an MRes/PhD bundle offer.
• International candidates successful for the scholarship are also awarded a tuition fee scholarship covering tuition fees at Macquarie University for up to three years and overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). The MRES year 2 scholarships will not include OSHC.

Next round closes mid Mar 2023 for domestic students and late Jul 2023 for domestic and international students.

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants are expected to have a record of excellent academic performance and relevant research experience and/or peer-reviewed research activity, awards and/or prizes in line with the University’s scholarship rating guidelines.

In addition to substantial financial resources to draw on for research, several generous schemes are available to fund travel to visit overseas laboratories or to attend overseas conferences.

Interested applicants should email Dr Soo Jean Park (soojean.park@mq.edu.au).

To reduce reliance on environmentally damaging insecticides, Australia’s Macadamia industry is looking towards Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control major insect pests. While recent work within an IPM framework has focused on habitat manipulation and the role of parasitoids, little is known about the generalist predator complex that attacks Macadamia pests and whether their efficacy can be enhanced. Many theories focus on how generalist predators can be effective pest managers, some of which may be counter intuitive. For example, high levels of predator diversity may not improve pest management and supplementary prey can have both positive and negative effects on predator pest control. Alternatively, intraguild predation and cannibalism could provide beneficial supplementary food sources to key predators.

This PhD, based in Applied BioSciences at Macquarie University, is an opportunity to test theories using generalist predators to enhance pest management in Macadamia orchards. First, the predators most active in controlling key Macadamia pests will be identified. Then, with reference to theory, the student will identify how the efficacy of the predators could be improved, and then test if these changes do improve pest control. The ultimate aim is to manipulate the predator community to improve the management of macadamia pests.

This project is associated with a $1.6 million dollar Hort Innovation project MC21000 “Integrated Systems-Based Approach for Pest Management in Australian Macadamia”. This interdisciplinary project focuses on developing a comprehensive IPM package that integrates ecological and environmental dimensions and fits into the regional/local macadamia orchards ecosystem in order to improve orchard profitability. This is an opportunity for robust fundamental research into how trophic web dynamics can improve pest management reducing the need for insecticides. It is also an opportunity for involvement in a large, diverse and capable research community that is working toward paradigm-changing initiatives in Australian sustainable pest management. Although associated with a larger project, there is freedom within this PhD for scientific exploration in conjunction with the core objectives. The PhD project can include genomics (gut content analysis), fieldwork in Macadamia orchards, and behavioural ecology experiments involving live insects and spiders, in order to investigate the key objectives to identify:

1. The main predatory species attacking key pests in Macadamia and when and where they attack
2. How predators respond to multiple prey, non-target organisms and each other
3. Whether there are non-consumptive effects of predators that supress pest damage
4. Whether the efficacy of predators managing key pests can be enhanced

The project will be carried out under the supervision of Drs Mary Whitehouse, Bishwo Mainali and Maciej Maselko. Mary has worked for over 20 years in Integrated Pest Management in agricultural systems, focusing on generalist predators and multi-tropic interactions. Bishwo has extensive experience in applied entomology and his works include developing traps that enhance pest control by removing pests and by stimulating the proliferation of natural enemies. Maciej is a synthetic biologist with 15 years’ experience using a wide array of molecular biology techniques.

Scholarships are available to eligible candidates to undertake either:

• Research Training Pathway (RTP/iRTP) Masters of Research (MRes) Year 2 which is followed by a Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship (MQRES/iMQRES) for a 3 year PhD (provisional on your performance). This is referred to as an MRes/PhD ‘bundle offer’.

OR

• Direct entry into a 3 year PhD for students with appropriate postgraduate qualifications.

The value and tenure of the scholarship is:

• $28,854 pa stipend (subject to indexation, tax free) for up to four years for an MRes/PhD bundle offer or for 3 years for direct entry to PhD.
• International candidates successful for these scholarships are also awarded a tuition fee scholarship covering tuition fees at Macquarie University for up to three years and overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). The MRES year 2 scholarships will not include OSHC.

Current round closes 31^st July 2022 at 11:59pm Australian Eastern Standard Time.

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants are expected to have a record of excellent academic performance and relevant research experience and/or peer-reviewed research activity, awards and/or prizes in line with the University’s scholarship rating guidelines (Rating Scholarship Applicants).

In addition to substantial financial resources to draw on for research, several generous schemes are available to fund travel to visit overseas laboratories or to attend overseas conferences.

Interested applicants should email Dr Mary Whitehouse (mary.whitehouse@mq.edu.au) providing details of interest and suitability, academic transcripts, evidence of English proficiency, and curriculum vitae.

Expressions of interest close at midnight on 26 July 2022.

Graduate Research Project: Investigating Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative condition, with progressive brain atrophy, protein deposition and cognitive decline. The related frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is frequent before the age of 65, presenting with behavioural and language changes. Over 35 million people are currently diagnosed with dementia worldwide, with numbers expected to rise significantly in the future. AD and FTD have overlapping clinical features and neuropathology. FTD furthermore shares common symptoms, neuropathology and underlying genetics with motor neuron disease (MND; also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)), which is a rapidly progressive adult-onset neurodegenerative disease of the motor system. There is no cure for any of these conditions and current treatment options are limited to some symptomatic relief. To develop effective mechanistic treatments, it is absolutely necessary to understand the underlying molecular disease mechanisms.

In both AD and FTD, the microtubule associated protein tau undergoes secondary modifications including extensive phosphorylation (=hyperphosphorylation) which interferes with its physiological functions. Hyperphosphorylated tau is prone to aggregation and presents intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in AD brains. Tau-containing NFTs are also found in approximately half of all FTD brains, while inclusions made up of the TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) are found in most of the remaining cases, frequently in AD and in the majority of MND.

While genetics and diverse disease models have established the pathological role of tau and TDP-43 in the onset and progression of AD, FTD and MND, the molecular mechanisms that are governed by aberrant tau and TDP-43 remain incompletely understood. This MRes2/PhD project aims at closing this gap in knowledge, by combining the expression of human pathogenic tau and TDP-43 in the neurons of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, with the power of genetic screening using large scale CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. This approach will (1) establish a new generation of disease models for AD, FTD and MND to study specific disease mechanisms in the complexity of the living organism, (2) identify modifier genes of tau and TDP-43 pathology, and (3) explore the role of selected genes as potential targets to treat these diseases.

This project will be a collaboration between the Applied BioSciences laboratory headed by Dr. Maciej Maselko, and the Dementia Research Centre, led by Prof. Lars Ittner. The combined infrastructures will provide the candidate with direct access to cutting-edge gene editing and disease modelling technologies and world leading experts in dementia research. There will be ample opportunity to engage in scientific exchange across the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University. To discuss the project in more detail, please contact Dr.Maciej Maselko or Prof.Lars Ittner.

The supervisor(s): Dr Maciej Maselko maciej.maselko@mq.edu.au or Professor Lars Ittner lars.ittner@mq.edu.au

Start date: From S1, 2023

Required knowledge: Coursework in molecular biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience are preferred.

The coral thermal tolerance depends on the physiology of associated single celled microalgae. In this project we explore the possibilities of protoplast fusions with different microalgae phenotypes. The aim is to combine phenotypes with intraspecific and interspecific somatic hybridisation in order to promote traits such as thermal tolerance and antioxidant capacity. The student will learn laboratory techniques of microalgae culturing, generating protoplasts and perform physiological characterisations. This Masters project has the potential to be continued into a PhD project that includes genome sequencing of hybrid microalgae, genetic engineering and further characterisation of the hybrid phenotype

The supervisor(s): Dr Patrick Buerger,  E: patrick.buerger@mq.edu.au

Start date: From Jul 2022

When to apply by: All candidates are welcome to apply at any time.

Required knowledge: basics of genetic laboratory techniques and maintaining sterile

Microalgae form a symbiosis with corals and determine the thermal tolerance of the symbiosis to a large extend. This project is focused on genetic engineering to understand the underlying genomic mechanisms of enhanced thermal tolerance in coral associated microalgae. The candidate will develop skills to build genetic constructs for the target species and use biolistics to genetically transform microalgae, starting with fluorescence dyes to distinguish transient from non-transient cells and antibiotic resistance trials. The aim of the project is to establish an assay to genetically transform the nuclear genome of symbiotic microalgae. This Masters project has the potential to be continued into a PhD project.

The supervisor(s): Dr Patrick Buerger E: patrick.buerger@mq.edu.au

Start date: From Jul 2022

When to apply: All candidates are welcome to apply at any time

Candidate min qualification requirements: basics of biotechnology laboratory techniques and maintaining sterile working conditions.

Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) is Australia’s most economically damaging insect pest of horticultural crops. Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) has been developed as a tool for state governments to manage Qfly over large areas, particularly to eradicate outbreaks in areas that are normally fruit fly free. There is interest in deploying SIT for pest suppression at more local scales of townships or isolated properties, managed by local communities and growers. For economical and effective operations such local deployment of SIT will require modification of technology and practises that were designed to operate at larger scales under government management.

The supervisor(s): Prof Phil Taylor E: phil.taylor@mq.edu.au & Dr Bishwo Mainali  E: bishwo.mainali@mq.edu.au)

Start dates: From Jan 2023

When to apply by: Apply for MQ Main rounds (Domestic or International). Please make contact as soon as possible so that all required material can be prepared well in advance of deadlines.

Candidate min qualification requirements: Experience and interest in Applied Entomology, including a record of publishing.

The challenges in using of semiochemicals as an attractant, repellent or oviposition deterrent against pest insects include the high release rate and low stability in field conditions. Carbon-based materials, such as activated charcoal, graphene, or graphene oxide are effective adsorbents, having large surface area to volume ratios. Most carbon-based materials have porous structures that can be modified to accommodate target molecules better. Advantages of carbon-based materials include low cost, biocompatibility, and easy modifications. This MRes project focuses on the functional group modification of carbon-based materials to explore morphological characteristics to improve the adsorption of volatile molecule(s) and thereby achieve a controlled release.

The Supervisors: Dr Soo Jean Park E: soojean.park@mq.edu.au & Dr Bishwo Mainali

Start date :Jul 2022 or Jan 2023

When to apply by: Apply for the MQ main rounds (28 Mar 2022 or 31 Oct 2022)

Candidate min qualification requirements: Sound GPA in undergraduate chemistry units and/ or experience (publication record(s)) and interest in chemistry.

Recently much attention has been drawn to developing botanical products because natural products often display less harmful effects on the environment and human health. For example, many plant extracts or plant-derived chemicals have been studied as an alternative pest control tool to conventional methods. However, mechanisms of how plant-based chemicals affect pest mortality or behaviour have been investigated in very limited studies. Hence this MRes project focuses on metabolite profiling of insects after administration of a bioactive plant-based chemical to understand the mechanism. The project will also improve the analytical approach by refining mass spectrometry techniques.

Supervisor/s: Dr Soo Jean Park E: soojean.park@mq.edu.au & Dr Vivian Mendez

Start date: Jul 2022 or Jan 2023

When to apply by: Apply for the MQ main rounds (28 Mar 2022 or 31 Oct 2022)

Candidate min qualification requirements: Sound GPA in undergraduate chemistry units and/or experience (publication record(s)) and interest in analytical chemistry.

In insects, cuticular compounds have two main roles; as protection from desiccation and pathogens and for short range chemical communication. Cuticular compounds in the Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), Australia’s most economically damaging insect pest of horticultural crops, have been recently described but the role of the cuticular compounds in Qfly is poorly understood.  Immature Qfly adults have a chemical profile that is different from mature adults, and once flies reach maturity the cuticular profile is sexually dimorphic. Chemical profiles that change with maturity are sexually dimorphic, suggesting that these compounds may play a role in sexual communication. Information about health can be particularly important for mating decisions and avoidance of malnourished or infected conspecifics has been observed in some animals. Nutrition and infection can affect cuticular compounds, providing a potential means for sexual discrimination. Exploration of how nutrition and infection modify cuticular compounds, and how such changes affect sexual communication and mating decisions in Qfly, will provide novel insights into fruit fly mating systems and will also potentially identify compounds that could be developed as management tools that attract or repel this pest.

Supervisor(s): Dr Vivian Mendez E:vivian.mendez@mq.edu.au & Dr Soo Jean Park E: soojean.park@mq.edu.au

Start dates: From Jan 2023

When to apply by: Apply for MQ Main rounds (Domestic or International).  But contact me as soon as possible so that all required material can be prepared well in advance of deadlines.

Candidate min qualification requirements: Experience and interest in Insect Chemical Ecology and Behaviour, including a record of publishing

Phenylbutanoids are volatile floral compounds that function as lures to attract male fruit flies to flowers for pollination. Rather than gaining a food reward for pollination services, visiting flies gain metabolic rewards. After ingesting the lure, male fruit flies gain a metabolic boost that increases their mating competitiveness. Zingerone, a phenylbutanoid, is present in some orchids and passionflowers. Male Bactrocera jarvisi fruit flies are strongly attracted to zingerone, but the metabolic rewards they gain are not well understood. Zingerone has antibacterial activity and has been reported to function as an immunostimulant in shrimps. The aim of the study is to determine the effects of zingerone ingestion in immature and mature B. jarvisi males, including mating performance of mature males, sexual development of immature males, and immunocompetence. The study will explore the role of zingerone as a metabolic enhancer in B. jarvisi males and determine the mating and immunological advantages of the metabolic boost as well as associated costs.

Supervisor(s): Dr Vivian Mendez E: vivian.mendez@mq.edu.au & Dr Soo Jean Park E: soojean.park@mq.edu.au and Dr Suk Ling Wee

Start and end dates: From Jan 2023

When to apply by: Apply for MQ Main rounds (Domestic or International).  But make contact as soon as possible so that all required material can be prepared well in advance of deadlines.

Candidate min qualification requirements: Experience and interest in Insect Chemical Ecology and Behaviour, including a record of publishing.