PhD 2022-2025 - 38th Cycle

Download the ranking tables and the list of candidates admitted to the oral exam for the 38^th cycle of the PhD in Biotechnology (pdf_file)

The call for PhD scholarships funded under PNRR Projects for the admission to the 38th cycle was issued with DR / 2022/3971 of 13/10/2022 and was published in the University Albo and web site at the address:

http://www.unina.it/documents/11958/30110610/DOTT_CICLO_38_2022-10-13_bando_borse_PNRR.pdf

Topics of the 3 available PhD scholarships

PhD scholarship 1

Innovative technologies for the biorefinery of biomasses

The activity is part of a project of exploitation of biomasses for the production of high added values, aiming at the recovery of residues and by-products of industrial/urban wastes. The biorefinery of the biomasses with innovative technologies (e.g. switchable solvents, cascade extraction) allows to deconstruct the biomass, separate the individual components and preserving the bioactivity of the (macro)molecules. The focus is also to exploit non-bioactive (macro)molecules present in the biomass – by fermentation included - to improve the sustainability of the process via fermentation. The activity requires a multidisciplinary-biotechnological approach to develop/apply innovative extractive/separation technologies to biological systems.

PhD scholarship 2

Development of electrochemical biosensors for the detection of environmental DNA with high sensitivity.

This project aims at developing an electrochemical biosensor in which the screen printed electrode is functionalized to carry out impedance spectroscopy. The interdisciplinary team will provide the PhD candidate with the expertise to coat the electrode with 2D materials flakes. The latter will be functionalized with a single chain DNA probe against the specific target. The DNA quantification will be achieved through the measurements of the impedance of the electrolytic cell.

 PhD scholarship 3

Development of optical biosensors for the detection of environmental DNA.

This project aims at realizing two biosensors: colorimetric biosensor – which will be made of a kit for qualitative measurements even on-sit –, and fluorescence biosensor in which the fluorescence is enhanced by the so-called Plasmon Enhanced Fluorescence (PEF). The latter aims at achieving a device that provide a quantitative and quick assessment of the environmental DNA concentration with a portable equipment.

The former approach will exploit a patented protocol based on the specific aggregation of gold nanoparticles that will be functionalized to recognize well-defined DNA bases. In particular, it will we possible to assess the presence of DNA by the change of the colour of a colloidal solution. The latter method will exploit the PEF occurring when a fluorophore is placed nearby a nanostructured surface. The DNA concentration will be assessed through the measurement of the fluorescence emitted by a fluorophore linked to the terminal part of the DNA target.