Engineering protein nanocages for biotechnology applications (LE BRUN_U27DTP)
Key details
- Application Deadline
- 30 November 2026 23:59 UK Time
- Location
- UEA
- Funding Type
- Competition Funded (Home and International)
- Start Date
- 1 October 2027
- Mode of Study
- Full-time
- Programme Type
- PhD
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Project Description
Primary Supervisor - Professor Nick Le Brun
Proteins that self-assemble to yield cage-like structures are of great interest due to their potential applications in biotechnology. The cellular protein ferritin, which functions to detoxify and store iron, is composed of 24 subunits, arranged in a highly symmetric fashion to form an approximately spherical protein shell surrounding a hollow centre. While evolved to store large amounts of iron as a ferric-oxy-hydroxide mineral, the ferritin protein shell can potentially accommodate a range of other molecules. The aim of this project is to use engineering biology approaches to develop bacterial and human ferritins as nanocage platforms for the encapsulation of small molecules, peptides and proteins with applications in biocatalysis and therapeutics/diagnostics. Methodologies for encapsulation will be optimised, and the ability of the nanocages to transfer substrates, electrons and protons across the protein coat investigated. Eventual targets include technologically relevant enzymes such as hydrogenase, which catalyses the reduction of protons to hydrogen gas, and the targeted delivery of molecules for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. This multi-disciplinary protein biochemistry project, which is based in the Le Brun lab in the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology at UEA, will involve protein purification, bioanalytical methods, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and microscopy. It offers excellent training potential for the appointed student within a supportive and stimulating environment. Informal enquiries to Prof Nick Le Brun (n.le-brun@uea.ac.uk) are welcome.
The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2027 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.
This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th February 2027.
Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk
Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.
To maximise accessibility and attract students from underrepresented groups to our programme we have introduced bespoke templates for applicant Personal and Research statements which will enable every applicant to fully represent themselves through providing suitable examples and evidence. These forms are on the NRPDTP website and must be used for these sections of the application form.
Entry Requirements
At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).
Funding
This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2026/27 stipend rate: £21,805, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.
References
H. Yu, et al. An interpretable RNA foundation model for exploring functional RNA motifs in plants, Nature Machine Intelligence, 6: 1616-1625, 2024. H. Yang, et al. Bridging Sequence-Structure Alignment in RNA Foundation Models, AAAI 2025, 39(20): 21929-21937. H. Yu, et al. PlantScience.ai: An LLM-powered virtual scientist for plant science, Molecular Plant, 19(5): 1117-1123, 2026. S. Zhou, et al. Position: Genomic Model Research Must Move Beyond Anecdotal Evaluation of Interpretability Methods, ICML 2026. M. Huang, et al. Conversational exploration of literature landscape with LitChat, IJCAI 2025, p. 11058-11061.