Exploration of possible paths towards minimal cells by the amino acid alphabet reduction, PhD

Faculty of Science, Charles University, Czech Republic (the)

Visit course webpage

Photos and Videos

Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
PhD	Full-time	find out	find out	find out	find out

About Exploration of possible paths towards minimal cells by the amino acid alphabet reduction, PhD - at Faculty of Science, Charles University

The aim of this thesis will be to approach model bacterial systems (such as E. coli and Mycoplasma) that are used in minimal cell development research. The genomes of these model organisms have already been successculy reduced in the genome/proteome size and on the level of the information-carrying DNA. However, no study so far limited the number of the amino acids that compose the proteome. Such a reduction would lead to energetic savings and uncover whether cells could function with less than 20 amino
acids to compose their proteins. We have already learnt that proteins could work with a much smaller amino acid repertoire in vitro. This thesis will focus on whole biological systems using genome engineering and laboratory evolution. Initially, the dispensability of selected amino acids will be compared for the studied bacterial systems using starvation experiments. The amino acid that will be most dispensable will then be substituted in exemplary metabolic pathways using genome engineering technique and broad randomization schemes. This thesis will explore whether an extant biological system can cope with removal of one (or more) amino acid from its proteome, how significant mark it would leave and whether cells could adapt to it by forward evolution.

Learn more about Exploration of possible paths towards minimal cells by the amino acid alphabet reduction, PhD - at Faculty of Science, Charles University

Visit course webpage

Entry requirements

Contact Faculty of Science, Charles University to find course entry requirements.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at Faculty of Science, Charles University

This text facilitates quick navigation of the various types of scholarships but does not provide a full list of rules and policies regulating this field. The granting and payments of scholarships is governed primarily by the Scholarships and Bursaries Rules of Charles University (cuni.cz/UKEN-727.html), the Rules for Granting Scholarships at FSc, and the relevant measures issued by the Dean (natur.cuni.cz/fakulta/studium/bc-nmgr/predpisy-a-poplatky/stipendia; Czech only).

Students may obtain the following scholarships:

accommodation bursary;
bursary for a student in difficult social circumstances;
scholarship for outstanding academic achievement (“mark-based”);
bursary in a case worthy of special consideration;
bursary to support study abroad;
bursary for a CU student in an acutely difficult situation;
bursary to support study in the Czech Republic;
bursary for excellent research, development, innovation, artistic, or other creative achievements contributing to enhanced knowledge;
scholarship for RDI (research, development, and innovation) under special legislation;
motivation bursary for 1st year bachelor’s programme students;
motivation bursary for 1st year post-bachelor’s programme students;
sports bursary;
doctoral bursary.

Certain scholarships are granted to students automatically (without student applications), whereas others are granted further to an application (electronic or paper, depending on the type of scholarship). Bursaries are neither taxed nor included in stated income. You can find answers to frequently asked questions regarding scholarships on the Faculty website (natur.cuni.cz/fakulta/studium/helpdesk/faq-stipendia; Czech only).

For more information check our dedicated website.