University of Queensland (UQ) Australia 2022 PhD in Building the next-generation of mRNA drugs

The breakthrough success of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines showed the potential of mRNA drugs. As a result, mRNA therapies are being designed to treat a wide range of diseases. mRNA technologies are also increasingly used in synthetic biology and biotechnology, where they can engineer, edit and reprogram cells.

This project proposes to design and build new mRNA therapies. This includes identifying transcription factors, signalling molecules and epigenetic modifiers that control cell development and cause disease. These genes will then be assembled within a synthetic mRNA scaffold incorporating additional RNA structures, sequences and modifications to control cell-specific expression. mRNA drug candidate designs are then synthesised,  screened and optimised in cellular studies before subsequent pre-clinical validation.

Students will be trained in the genomics, bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques needed to design the next generation of mRNA drugs rationally. Students will then use enzymatic DNA synthesis, Oxford Nanopore sequencing, mass spectrophotometry and cell culture methods to validate their designs, with successful candidates progressing to pre-clinical analysis.

• Table of Content
• About University of Queensland, Australia
• University of Queensland (UQ) PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of University of Queensland (UQ) PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for University of Queensland (UQ) PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About University of Queensland, Australia

We offer more scholarships than any other university in the state, so you should take some time to research everything we have on offer. Depending on the rules and conditions of the scholarship you apply for, it might be possible to hold more than one scholarship at once – so, read all rules and conditions closely.

University of Queensland (UQ) PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of University of Queensland (UQ) PhD Scholarship

 Partial Funding, $29,863 per annum

Requirements for University of Queensland (UQ) PhD Scholarship Qualification

You have to prove you are prepared for PhD study. You do this by showing you:

• have completed some research experience
• have completed an approved university degree and
• can meet the English language requirements.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

To be considered for this scholarship, please email the following documents to Associate Professor Timothy Mercer ([email protected]) 

• Cover letter
• CV
• Academic transcript/s
• Evidence for meeting UQ's English language proficiency requirements eg TOEFL, IELTS

Please note the following: Submitting the above documents does not constitute a full application for admission into The University of Queensland's PhD program. If you are selected as the preferred applicant, you will then be invited to submit a full application for admission. You can familiarise yourself with the documents required for this process on UQ Study website.