Emerging Challenges of Novel Food: Solutions for a New Era

OVERVIEW

The many challenges relating to sustainability and climate change are threatening the prosperity of the planet and its people. As a call for action, at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations Member States, is the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the global population expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, finding sustainable and efficient ways to provide nutritious food, especially in relation to protein sources, in conjunction with reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by livestock are amongst the top priorities. Emerging alternative sources of proteins from plants, insects, algae, microbes, fermentation, and cell cultures have shown varying degrees of potential as complementary and/or replacement approaches to the animal protein industry with large profit margins. The many challenges relating to sustainability and climate change, are threatening the prosperity of the planet and its people. As a call for action, at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations Member States, is the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the global population expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, finding sustainable and efficient ways to provide nutritious food, especially in relation to protein sources in conjunction with reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by livestock are amongst the top priorities. Emerging alternative sources of proteins from plants, insects, algae, microbes, fermentation, and cell cultured have shown varying degrees of potential as complementary and/or replacement approaches to the animal protein industry with large profit margins. Meanwhile, health risks associated with the consumption of alternative food (proteins) have not been well studied and this is therefore a major knowledge gap for the food industry and regulatory authorities. Globalization and the increasing complexity of modern food supply chain structures, from field to fork, have further driven the vulnerability issues. Fraud, allergy, and many other factors could be major contributors to these risks and have caused massive public concern among stakeholders. The project has been closely aligned with the recommendations made by the Food Standards Agency and UK Research and Innovation strategy. By adopting cutting-edge science and developing new multidisciplinary technologies, we aim to deliver solutions against those challenges and enhance our understanding towards emerging food sources. Knowledge will be further shared across the network built across academia and industry partners, eventually serving the global community.

This project will exploit the breadth of cutting-edge analytical technology platforms and associated expertise in the ASSET Technology Centre under the UK National Measurements Laboratory programme. It will also exploit the knowledge and experience of the UK food industry through the Food Industry Intelligence Network (Fiin) and increase the current level of understanding of fraud risks in the global alternative protein supply chains. Following engagement with key stakeholders a priority ranking of adulteration risks will be in place and multidisciplinary solutions will be delivered to allow fit for purpose monitoring programmes.

This will be followed by further methodology development of the Two-tiered approach with six aims:
(1) New technologies in the detection of DNA (SERS/Nanopore combined with CRISPR-Cas systems to develop rapid and portable on-site solutions)
(2) Nitrogen-rich chemical adulterant detection (Lab based LC-HRMS will be employed to build databases of contaminants)
(3) Identification of adulterant proteins. (LC-MS based bottom-up proteomic workflows will be developed against peptides)
(4) Identification of other risks that may arise from emerging food sources
(5) Exploration of the advanced application of nanopore platforms, beyond the current DNA sequencing.
(6) Integration of machine learning algorisms in data processing

Training opportunities:
The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work with researchers at Queen’s University Belfast, LGC, and industrial partners from Fiin, and Agilent etc. The student will hugely benefit through the globalized network (not only UK but also EU countries and Asian-pacific areas), e.g. IAEA, USP, and receive further support in developing their future career.

Students will receive multidisciplinary training including social studies (surveys) and a wide range of analytical tools: LC-MS (Peptides and chemical contaminants), SERS, and nanopore together with data processing with chemometric software and machine learning algorisms.

Opportunities for public engagement and communication skills will be further developed through frequent interactivity and workshops with industrial partners and regulators.

The student will also be able to attend national and international conferences and exchange/internship experiences in those UK enterprises and EU/Chinese top food science institutes.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
The research group members of Dr Wu have been highly internationalized, and we sincerely embrace and value the EDI culture of QUB. We welcome students from all over the world and will continue to support enriching the spectrum of our research community.

Specific skills/experience required:
Students from biological, analytical chemistry, food science backgrounds of certain degrees (equivalent to U.K. 2.1 or above) are welcome to apply to this PhD project.

Lab experiences and knowledge in one of those enlisted areas (Preferred Skills):
Surface enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
CRISPR-Cas and molecular cloning
LC-MS (For small molecules or proteomic workflows)
Advanced Skills (Bonus & priority):
Nanopore assembling
Machine learning algorisms (Using R or MATLAB)
Protein de novo sequencing

Research Information

PhD Supervisors
Information on the research interests and activities of academics in Biological Sciences can be accessed via the School website and the Find a Supervisor facility.

Career Prospects

Introduction
Queen’s postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as the DegreePlus/Future Ready Award, bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. Career prospects in the biological sciences are exceptionally good. To some extent it depends on the specific topic, of course, but laboratory-based and especially quantitative skills and the proven innovation of a PhD or MPhil are highly sought after. Degrees are very much in demand, both in commercial science and public sector research and development (e.g. drug discovery and development, crop and animal improvements and welfare, sustainable agriculture and resource use, human nutrition and health, animal health, ecological management, food safety and technology, scientific communications, regulation, and many more fields).

Employment after the Course
Graduates have gone on to be professional research scientists, consultants, or hold technical and junior executive positions in commerce and government.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant subject from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen’s University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor

If you’re interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.