Towards total digital control of biological systems
All current methods for control of biological systems (eg chemical/light inducible promoters or enzymes) are limited by the existing genetic information of that system.
This scholarship aims to take the first steps towards total computational control of a biological system. We will start by using tRNA engineering and light-activated chemistry.
Key details
- 20247012
- PhD
- Applications close 31 October 2025
- Domestic, International
- Medicine and health, science
- $38,500 p.a. (2025 rate)
An external input may switch existing pathways on or off by regulating transcription/translation, protein stability, enzyme activity etc – but there is no way to introduce new information which is not already encoded in the cell’s nucleic acid. This imposes substantial limits on the throughput of biological research, biomanufacturing and other biomedical technologies. The recent confluence of digital technology and synthetic biology points to more efficient ways to control cellular activity.
The overarching goal of this research project is to provide a proof of concept for technologies which could provide real time computational control over biological systems by directly transmitting RNA/protein sequence information into cells for in vivo synthesis. We envision beginning this process through custom engineered tRNA and photochemical switches to control protein translation in vivo and in vitro.
About the scholarship
The PhD student will independently and with support from advisors, plan and execute studies for implementing an ambitious research project at the interface of biology, chemistry and information science.
We offer training and expertise in:
- RNA biology
- photochemistry
- synthetic biology
- microbiology.
The research labs supporting this project are members of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology (CoESB) and have extensive collaboration networks that can be drawn on.
Availability
The scholarship is available to candidates eligible to undertake a direct entry three-year PhD program.
The project would suit applicants who are self-motivated, eager to collaborate across biology and chemistry, and willing to embrace exciting new challenges.
We invite those with a background in at least two of the following fields of research:
- biochemistry
- molecular or synthetic biology
- microbiology
- chemistry (nucleic acid, photochemistry or similar preferred).
Expected start date must be within 2025.
Components
The scholarship comprises:
- a tuition fee offset
- a living allowance stipend.
The value of the stipend scholarship is $38,500 per annum (full-time, indexed) for up to four years.
How to apply
Before submitting your application, contact:
- Dr Paul Jaschke at paul.jaschke@mq.edu.au
- Associate Professor Maciej Maselko at maciej.maselko@mq.edu.au.
Provide the following:
- a short message introducing yourself and explaining how this project would fit into your career path
- a CV.