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OVERVIEW
The overall aim of the project is the design, construction and implementation of a rapid bionanosensor for the single and multiplex analysis of plant toxins. There are three key phases in this research project: Design phase, Construction Phase and Implementation of the bionanosensor for determining plant toxins in environmental samples and food products.
Due to recent outbreaks of illness and death in Uganda in 2019 and previously in Afghanistan plant toxins are now an increasingly major concern for the food industry and whereby improved point of site methods of analysis are increasing sought to prevent illness and death. To date no point of site testing device is readily available for these toxins.
The overall aim of the project is the design, construction and implementation of both a single channel and multi-channel microfluidic nanosensor for the analysis of plant toxins in the field.
There are three key phases in this research project:
Design phase of the bionanosensor, Construction Phase and Implementation of the bionanosensor for determining plant toxins in food products.
The design phase of the sensor will include selection of target toxins of key importance such as tropane and pyrrolizidines alkaloids. The construction phase will investigate the most suitable design and portable detection system including smartphones for the lab-on-a-chip device. The implementation phase will be the validation of the device for determining plant toxins in cereal and honey samples both as lab-based tool and as a field based approach.
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.
Want fewer missed deadlines?
Follow a channel you care about (Graduate → Post-PhD).