PhD Studentship in Crop Science

Project title: Developmental and genotypic determinants of nutrient distribution across faba bean seed

Supervisors: Dr Paola Tosi, Professor Donal O’Sullivan 

Project Overview:  Faba bean (Vicia faba L) is the UK’s most important pulse crop, valued for its high nutrient density and agronomic versatility and it is in strong demand as a sustainably sourced raw material for plant-based foods. The mature faba bean seed consists of different tissues, whose different biological role is underpinned by compositional differences: the cotyledon being enriched in protein and starch as a nutrient reserve to power embryo germination, the seed coat enriched in fibre and phytochemicals to enhance its function as a protective sheath.

While it is well known that pulses are a good source of protein and minerals, little is known about spatial distribution of these components in the seed. This is relevant because of the growing interest in using pulses for the formulation of bakery foods, with the aim to enhance their nutritional quality and sustainability [1]. This requires milling of the pulse to a flour, and an in-depth knowledge of macro and micronutrient distribution within the different parts of the seed would enable tailoring the milling method and further processing to achieve final products with specific nutritional and organoleptic characteristics.

This project aims to address knowledge gaps in: 

• the distribution of macro and micronutrients in faba bean seeds across the different tissues of the seed and/or regions within the cotyledon tissue.
• whether patterns of distribution reflect the timing of synthesis and deposition of the different components and/or their turnover relative to cell division, expansion and differentiation events.

The student will start addressing these questions by studying tissue and time-resolved variation in gene expression and compositional differences through seed development on a panel of diverse faba bean genotypes.

This will be followed by in situ identification and quantification of proteins via light microscopy combined with Raman microscopy and subsequent laser-ablation ICP-MS analysis to map mineral distribution. Finally, key macro-and micronutrients will be mapped throughout development and the fate of different tissues tracked through the milling process.

 The University of Reading boasts excellent molecular, imaging and analytical laboratories as well as controlled plant growth facilities to support the research and the appointee will join a vibrant and mutually supportive team of postdocs, PhDs and technicians all exclusively focused on different aspects of faba bean research.

The studentship will start at the latest in October 2025.

[1] https://doi.org/10.1111/nbu.12601

Funding Details:  

• Funding covers full UK/home tuition fees plus UKRI stipend for three years

Eligibility

• Candidates must hold at least a BSc (Hons) 2.1 or higher in a relevant subject.
• This studentship is only open to UK/home students (please check criteria to be classed as home student).

How to apply:  

Please send a CV and covering letter covering your motivations for pursuing a higher research degree and the reasons why you think this is the project for you to: p.tosi@reading.ac.uk.

*Important notes*

1. Please apply for a ‘PhD in Crop Science‘ quoting the reference ‘DRC25-015’ in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box within the Funding Section of your on-line application via the 'Apply' button above.
2. If the application system prompts you to submit a research proposal, please paste in the project title.

Application Deadline: 7 March 2025

Further Enquiries: Please contact: p.tosi@reading.ac.uk

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