PhD 2023-2026 - 39th Cycle

INGLESE

The call for admission procedures to the PhD in Biotechnology – 39th Cycle (2023-2026) has been published and can be downloaded at the link:

http://www.unina.it/didattica/post-laurea/dottorati-di-ricerca/english-version 

The procedure for the submission of applications will be active from 08.00 on Tuesday 11/07/2023

Link to the procedure https://pica.cineca.it

Deadline 2 August at 15.00

Progetti Borse finanziate PNRR ex D.M. 118

Thermophilic bioprocesses for the sustainable production of molecules with high added value

This project aims at the characterization and engineering of extremophilic microorganisms and/or their enzymes to convert waste biomasses into compounds of interest realizing biotechnological processes of industrial interest.

Borsa area Ricerca PNRR

Fungal biomolecules: from nature to biotechnological products across protein engineering.

Fungi are still an untapped reservoir of bioactive compounds that could be harnessed for biotechnology. This research project is aimed at isolating, characterizing, and exploiting these molecules, with a special focus on surface active proteins. Selected proteins will be heterologously produced and engineered with the aim to tailor their properties to specific applications.

Borsa area Ricerca PNRR

Innovative strategies for prevention and treatment of microbial biofilms in the industrial and medical fields

The project aims to use molecules isolated from Antarctic marine bacteria as a tool for creating innovative strategies for the prevention and treatment of biofilms. In the first case, the project proposes the development of derivatized materials endowed with anti-adhesive activity, in the second case the development of combined treatments using anti-biofilm molecules produced by Antarctic bacteria and traditional antibiotics is envisaged.

Borsa area Ricerca PNRR

Production, functionalization, and characterization of new bio-based materials

New research insights for the manufacture of innovative bio-based edible coatings to replace the petroleum-based plastics harmful for the entire ecosystem will be exploited. Materials derived from bio-based polymers, like polysaccharides and proteins, have emerged as renewable resources and might be leading actors in the redesigning of plastic materials under a “green perspective”. The new materials will be added of novel molecules endowed with active properties that will allow them to be used in different fields in the frame of the circular economy.

Borsa area Ricerca PNRR

Innovative strategies for the biotechnological exploitation of "Host defense peptides" (HDP)

"Host defense peptides" (HDP) are bioactive peptides produced by all higher eukaryotes and endowed with a variety of biological activities extremely interesting from an application point of view: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antibiofim, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory. The aim of this research project is to isolate and characterize these molecules, to improve their properties and resistance in order to promote their exploitation in the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical and food fields

Borsa area Ricerca PNRR

Use of carbon anhydrases to promote carbon capture by microalgae and the production of high value-added molecules from microalgal biomass.

The project aims at the isolation from several sources of highly efficient and stable carbon anhydrases that will be included in beads to be placed at the water/air interface of the photobioreactors where microalgae will be grown. Green extraction and characterization of high value added molecules using a cascade approach will be done. The final objective of this research project is the use of microalgae to: i) remove CO₂ from the atmosphere; ii) produce high value-added molecules from microalgal biomass.

Borsa area Pubblica Amministrazione

Novel bio-pesticides for crop protection

Environmental pollution caused by the excessive use of pesticides is a growing concern for the planet. The project will be focused on the investigation of  the effect of different natural molecules, such as the ones contained in essential oils against  different plant pathogens. To enhance their stability, the chosen molecules will be encapsulated into different biopolymers (e.g. chitosan, pectins) in order to develop novel and environmentally friendly bio-pesticides. 

Borsa area Pubblica Amministrazione

Discovery and characterisation of carbohydrate-active enzymes from hyper(thermophilic) microorganisms for biotransformations

Identification of enzymatic activities involved in the degradation of polysaccharides from (meta)genomes organisms of extremophiles, expression of genes and characterization of recombinant enzymes in order to develop new advanced processes of green chemistry and biotechnology capable of transforming renewable raw materials, available agro-industrial waste on the national territory to contribute to the reduction of environmental impacts

Borsa area Transizioni digitali e ambientali

Biopesticides from natural antagonists of insect

Study of interactions between insects and their natural antagonists for molecular and functional characterization of specific virulence factors with insecticide activity or that significantly reduce the fitness of pest insects. For these molecules adequate l delivery strategies will be developed by defining formulations to reduce environmental degradation, and enhance the efficacy on target organisms while limiting the negative impact on beneficial species, ecosystem service providers.

Borsa area Transizioni digitali e ambientali

The research project, in Italian OR in English, must clearly indicate which topic, among those published on the web site of the Doctorate in Biotechnology refers to and must not be longer than 1000 words (about two typewritten A4 pages).

The text must describe a possible PhD thesis project, illustrating the scientific background, objectives, methods of implementation, and the scientific and technological approaches to be followed. Figures and tables cannot be inserted.

We inform you that it will be possible to add further doctoral positions funded until 31st July 2023, which will be promptly added to the list.