[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”2198″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
2022-26 cohort<\/p>\n
Project title: <\/strong>Is it a Fluke or is it Reproducible: Understanding Isolate Variation in Fasciola hepatica<\/em> for Diagnostic Potential<\/p>\n Academic partner:<\/strong> University of Reading. I have a CASE Studentship and the project is supported by Ridgeway Research Limited<\/p>\n Why is your project important to or how is it relevant \u00a0to the UK food system? <\/strong> What have you enjoyed most about DTP training so far?<\/strong> What challenges have you met so far in your project? And how did you overcome them?<\/strong> What are you looking forward to doing next in your project?<\/strong> 2022-26 cohort<\/p>\n Project title: <\/strong>Rethinking Cultured Meat (CM) Growth Medium: Can Grassland Plant-Derived Supplements Sustainably Support CM Production?<\/p>\n Academic partner:<\/strong> University of Reading. I have a CASE Studentship and the project is supported by Cellular Agriculture Ltd<\/p>\n Why is your project important to or how is it relevant \u00a0to the UK food system? <\/strong> What have you enjoyed most about DTP training so far?<\/strong> What are you looking forward to doing next in your project?<\/strong> 2021-25 cohort<\/p>\n Project title:\u00a0<\/strong>Film of the Future \u2013 Producing an antiviral, antimicrobial, biodegradable plastic from seaweed<\/p>\n Academic partner:<\/strong>\u00a0Cranfield University What is your project about ? What led you to choosing a PhD project with the FoodBioSystems DTP?<\/strong> 2023-27 cohort<\/p>\n Project title: <\/strong>GrainQuest \u2013 using Artificial Intelligence and high-resolution multimodal imaging to dissect the developmental and genetic basis of seed composition<\/p>\n Academic partner:<\/strong> Queen’s University Belfast<\/p>\n What is your project about? What have you enjoyed most about DTP training so far?<\/strong> 2024-28 cohort<\/p>\n Project title: <\/strong>The importance of sleep: using AI (video-based motion capture systems) to improve the health, resilience and productivity of dairy cows<\/p>\n Academic partner:<\/strong> University of Surrey<\/p>\n What is your project about? What challenges have you met so far in your project? And how did you overcome them?<\/strong> What are you looking forward to doing next in your project?<\/strong> 2022-26 cohort<\/p>\n Project title: <\/strong>Engineering myxobacterial super predators to fight crop disease<\/p>\n Academic partner:<\/strong> University of Reading<\/p>\n Why is your project important to or how is it relevant \u00a0to the UK food system? <\/strong> What have you enjoyed most about DTP training so far?<\/strong> What are you looking forward to doing next in your project?<\/strong> 2023-27 cohort<\/p>\n Project title: <\/strong>Unpicking the Causes of Infertility in Wheat Triggered by Temperature Stress<\/p>\n Academic partner:<\/strong> University of Reading<\/p>\n Why is your project important to or how is it relevant \u00a0to the UK food system?<\/strong> What have you enjoyed most about DTP training so far?<\/strong> What challenges have you met so far in your project? And how did you overcome them?<\/strong> 2022-26 cohort<\/p>\n Project title: <\/strong>Combining molecular biology and computer modelling to enhance control of liver fluke in livestock across agricultural landscapes<\/p>\n Academic partner:<\/strong> Queen\u2019s University Belfast<\/p>\n Why is your project important to or how is it relevant \u00a0to the UK food system? <\/strong> What have you enjoyed most about DTP training so far?<\/strong> What are you looking forward to doing next in your project?<\/strong> 2020-24 cohort<\/p>\n Project title:<\/strong>\u00a0A receptor-ligand module that triggers cell death in plants: A killer in disguise<\/p>\n Academic partner:<\/strong>\u00a0University of Reading<\/p>\n What is your project about and why is it important? What have you enjoyed most about DTP training so far and what are you looking forward to next in your project?<\/strong> I am looking forward to learning a new technique known as Blue Native PAGE.\u00a0This will allow me to understand my protein (PrpS) further by showing if it forms complexes or not. This will put more pieces of the puzzle together in elucidating this fascinating protein.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”1112″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n 2021-25 cohort<\/p>\n Project title:\u00a0<\/strong>Integration of food intake biomarker data with minimal self-reported dietary information to assess eating behaviour and evaluate nutrient intake in individuals and populations.<\/p>\n Academic partner:<\/strong>\u00a0University of Reading<\/p>\n What is your project about and why is it important ?
\nMy project on the biochemistry of Fasciola hepatica<\/em> is crucial for the UK food system. By identifying specific biomarkers in liver fluke through proteomics, it aim to improve diagnostics of this parasite and ensuring the safety of food supply and the health of livestock.<\/p>\n
\nI enjoyed the monthly research presentations by fellow DTP students not only did it serve as a valuable platform for sharing individual research project progress but also foster a sense of community and collaboration. These sessions offer a welcomed break from my workspaces, providing an opportunity to gain exposure to diverse developments in the food system and reinforcing the supportive and collective nature of the DTP community.<\/p>\n
\nMy Ph.D. research focused on the biochemistry of Fasciola hepatica<\/em>, aiming to generate an in-depth proteomic data for diagnostic biomarker identification. Navigating through the proteomic techniques, particularly mass spectrometry, posed a challenge, but through proactive collaboration with experienced colleagues and hands-on lab experience, I overcame the hurdles and fostered a supportive research environment within the academic community.<\/p>\n
\nThe upcoming phase of my research involves a significant progress as I plan to undertake the next objective in my project at the University of Reading. Specifically, I will be conducting Liquid AP (MA)LDI Fingerprinting under the guidance of my co-supervisor. This phase constitutes an independent exploration into mass spectrometry for a year, representing a crucial element in advancing my research.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”2192″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nWill Barnes<\/h4>\n
\nMy project looks at improving the sustainability of cultured meat media formulations – one of the major bottlenecks towards scale up of cultured meat technologies. The UK food system is in need of alternative solutions to protein production to support the growing population and mitigate climate change – I believe cultured meat will play a large role in addressing these issues.<\/p>\n
\nI really enjoyed the EIT food training course as it gave me a newfound appreciation for the UK food system and how my project fits into it. I also enjoyed Summer School, it was great to meet the other DTP students in person and discuss our projects and experiences.<\/p>\n
\nI am looking forward to testing the compounds I have spent the last year isolating and analysing from grass on animal muscle stem cells to assess whether they are a suitable candidate in cultured meat media formulations. It is exciting and very rewarding to see different parts of my project come together after spending my first year getting trained on all the different subject areas and techniques![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”2278″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nLuke Barnett<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nI have a CASE studentship and the project is supported by a food manufacturing company.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>I\u2019m using the components of brown seaweeds to produce a plastic film for use within the food packaging industry. The addition of these seaweed components will produce a biodegradable, antimicrobial and antiviral film which will limit the transfer to microorganisms.<\/p>\n
\nMy aim was to conduct research in microbiology and doing this PhD has enabled me to do this. The DTP gave an opportunity to get involved with a research partner in the relevant industry and I\u2019m gaining a wider understanding of how research can be applied to the industrial environment.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”2298″ img_size=”medium”][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/8j4GVkNhUIM”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nDavid Evershed<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>Cereal seeds are the main contributor of calories to the human diet. Their widespread growth and consumption make them key to the food system, but their multi-nutritional composition could be improved.\u00a0 A better understanding of the genetic basis of nutrition of these seeds may be possible to achieve using modern imaging techniques and AI, allowing for targeted crop improvement efforts.<\/p>\n
\nHaving come from a small rural seaside town, this training programme has massively broadened my horizons both academically and personally.\u00a0 The DTP has introduced me to new friends, new ideas and new ways of thinking that should stand me in good stead for my PhD and beyond.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”2526″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nJacky Kuo<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>Milk is an excellent source of protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients that are crucial for bone health and overall wellbeing in both children and adults. Using AI systems to monitor the general wellbeing of dairy cows can help ensure a consistent supply of high-quality, low-cost milk, while also supporting the welfare of the cows and reducing the workload for dairy farmers. Dairy production and consumption in the UK rank among the top 15 in the world, making it a vital industry to support in order to maintain a strong and secure domestic food supply.<\/p>\n
\nSo far, the challenges I\u2019ve encountered in my project reflect the same issues faced by many UK dairy farmers. There is a noticeable decline in farming personnel with specialised dairy knowledge, and farms are increasingly in need of technological solutions to help fill this gap. My PhD project aims to be part of that solution. Since the start of my research, I\u2019ve actively connected with local agri-tech companies, such as HerdVision, to develop and expand my current work, and to learn from their previous projects, which align closely with the goals of my own.<\/p>\n
\nWithin the first week, I was able to begin gathering pilot data from animals, and I\u2019m now looking forward to engaging with local companies (including the University Diary Farm) to help steer my data collection in a direction that could be mutually beneficial.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”2199″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nEmily Radford<\/h4>\n
\nThe global population is rapidly expanding so the need to produce more food in a sustainable manner is vital. Wheat is a staple crop grown worldwide, but production is threatened by fungal diseases which cause a loss in yield, quality and nutrition of the grain. By engineering naturally ubiquitous predatory bacteria to more effectively kill these fungi, we can introduce a biocontrol alternative to chemical treatments to promote sustainable farming with lesser environmental impacts.<\/p>\n
\nI have enjoyed the opportunities to travel to conferences and the DTP summer school to be able to share my research with others and gain new perspectives to improve my research.<\/p>\n
\nThe next steps in my project involve technical genetic modification protocols to improve the predatory ability of the myxobacteria against the disease-causing fungi. I am looking forward to learning these new techniques, and eventually to observe how they can promote plant health when applied to wheat.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”2315″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nLouis Samuel<\/h4>\n
\nWheat is a dietary staple of billions of people worldwide and is one of the most important UK food crops, making it a crucial node of its food system. Meiosis and pollen production in wheat are particularly sensitive to heat stress, an increasingly common and alarming issue due to climate change. My project aims to understand and remedy this sensitivity by investigating the impact of heat stress on wheat at a cellular and genetic level, and working towards making heat-tolerant crops.<\/p>\n
\nMeeting the cohort at the Summer School was interesting and exciting. The monthly webinars where students showcase their research allows me to stay in the loop on the research done within the DTP, and the range of extracurricular opportunities offered by the DTP is great for staying connected to food science as a whole.<\/p>\n
\nWheat is not a plant I\u2019m used to working with, and investigating meiosis and pollen production comes with its complications. Repeating mock experiments until I grasp a technique or identify a wheat growth stage has been key to my understanding of the plant in these early stages. Trying out various techniques allowed me to visualise wheat reproductive stages under different lights, and is contributing to my gradual understanding of the crop.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”2200″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nChristopher Smith<\/h4>\n
\nLiver fluke is an important parasite of sheep and cattle which causes millions of pounds of damage per year and has growing resistance to drugs. The parasite uses a snail as part of its life cycle. By using environmental DNA we can better understand which environmental factors influence the presence of the snail, and thus develop better strategies to prevent livestock infection.<\/p>\n
\nThe Summer School. It was great to meet everyone from different universities and find out about the wide range of research being conducted.<\/p>\n
\nStarting the fieldwork on farms in spring to go out and take samples from the snail habitats.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”1109″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\nFelix Townsend<\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>My project involves a highly widespread systems found in crop species throughout the world. This process known as self-incompatibility prevent self-fertilisation and thus inbreeding in plants. By understanding the proteins, processes and metabolic pathways involved in this vital system, we can help aid in crop yield prediction and the development of smart herbicides.<\/p>\n
\nThe DTP training is diverse and entertaining, even under the constrains of the COVID-19 restrictions. It\u2019s been a great way of getting to know the other students in your cohort, as well as developing skills and confidence in completing your PhD.<\/p>\nJuliet Vickar<\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>This project is about providing important tools for nutrition research, a capability to demonstrate objectively links between diet and health. This will have a profound impact on the food industry and public health internationally.<\/p>\n