(BBSRC NWD) Selective bio-recovery of rare earth elements with bioengineered peptide loops and encapsulated proteins

The rare earth elements (REE) continue to rapidly increase as a strategic technological resource and form essential 

components in many existing and emerging applications.[1] A key use is in green energy technologies including in 

nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries in hybrid electric vehicles, magnets for wind turbines, advanced 

communication and photonic systems, energy efficient lighting/displays and medical diagnostic and imaging 

technologies. Additional supplies of resources are therefore crucial to maintain future growth and enable 

greener and zero carbon energy technologies to progress.[2] However, REE remain a finite resource and are now 

considered ‘critical elements’ and need to be recovered in pure form for use in the growing technologies yet current separation methods are inefficient and energy intensive. Increased utilization of REE has also resulted in increased 

environmental and human hazard exposure, thus in order to manage contamination, develop recycling strategies, 

trace their usage and take advantage of new mineral reserves, efficient methods to selectively recover REE are urgently needed. Remarkably, recent discoveries have reported the existence of lanthanide specific binding proteins, particularly Lanmodulin and LanPepsy, and exhibit unprecedented binding affinities for lanthanide ions, binding larger lanthanide ions over smaller ones and in addition to exhibiting pM selectivity over Ca2+.[3][4]  

This project will use an interdisciplinary engineering biology and coordination chemistry approach, alongside using the bespoke emission signals of REE to selectively bind, detect and recover individual REE using engineered metal binding peptide loops and proteins (based on Calmodulin, Lanmodulin and LnPEPSY) in combination with encapsulation strategies in metal-organic frameworks for enhanced separation, recovery, and recycling. Outcomes of this project are to bioengineer proteins that can selectively separate one individual REE element from another in a mining/E-waste mixture by synthesising a library of EF peptide loops and proteins that exhibit selective binding for a given REE or group of REEs based on size. Encapsulation of these proteins within solid framework materials will subsequently enable improved separations and development of a series of simple aqueous separation steps (e.g. using a combination of proteins and frameworks) for the recovery of pure single REE feedstocks for re-use in industrial applications. 

Eligibility

Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a minimum Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, engineering or technology. 

International applicants

We are only able to offer a limited number of full studentships to applicants outside the UK. Therefore, full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality international candidates due to the competitive nature of this scheme.

International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) before applying. Visit our ‘Eligibility and entry requirements’ page to find out more about our English language requirements.

Before you Apply

Browse our BBSRC NWD in Bioscience projects and discover one you’re passionate about that matches your interests, ambitions and goals.

Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.

How to Apply

All applications should be made via our specific BBSRC NWDP in Bioscience online application form. This is a separate application process specifically for all candidates for this scheme. Applications should not be made through either university’s usual online application system.

You must submit your application form along with the required supporting documents by the deadline date. You can select up to two projects on one single application, noting the title of each project from the advert and the supervisor name. This can include two projects from one institution or a project from each institution. 

Before you complete your application you should prepare the following supporting documents:

·      CV

·      Personal statement

·      Degree certificates and transcripts (if your qualification is still pending, please ensure this is clear on your application form and you can send this to us at a later date)

·      Two references

·      Evidence of English language qualifications (if completed)

Complete the application form: https://forms.office.com/e/HVXALrVa0P

Once you have completed your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email and             you should reply to this email with all of your supporting documentation as soon as possible to: [email protected]

Deadline: Friday, 31 January 2025, 5pm

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you need help with this stage of the process, or have any queries regarding your eligibility (such as if you achieved unexpectedly low degree results due to extenuating circumstances), please contact the Doctoral Admissions team for advice at [email protected].

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website.