Professor Miriam Gifford

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

We are interested in how plants interact with the environment. The mechanisms that facilitate this interaction are particularly important for plants since they are sessile yet still cope with environmental extremes.

When plant roots and microbes work together in symbiosis the ways they interact are even more important since more efficient interactions benefit both. By combining study of the root cell types that house microbes, the soil in which the interaction exists, and the genes and molecules regulating it, we aim to improve plant yield and sustainability in tune with the environment.

From root-soil-rhizosphere interactions, to circadian-shaping of nodulation, our work investigates a number of plant-nitrogen interactions. Please see my Gifford lab webpage where you can hear more details from the staff and students in the group.

Scientific Inspiration

When I went to study biology at the University of Edinburgh I’d never heard of plant sciences (it was just photosynthesis that was taught at school) and thus chose a specialisation in genetics. But in my 1st year I had a terrific lecturer called Philip Smith, an old-school botanist, who introduced us to the excitement of plant sciences. In 1st year he told stories of plants “killing their neighbours”, trailering later more specialised courses (“something you will learn, but only in your 2nd year”). This definitely inspired me to pursue research and I hope I convey some of this excitement in my teaching!

Research Groups

Gifford Lab

Plant and Agricultural Sciences

Environment and Ecology

Quantitative, Systems and Engineering Biology

Warwick Integrative Synthetic Biology Centre (WISB)

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: student-centred, spontaneous, supportive.

Provision of Training

At the beginning you’ll be trained in different lab techniques and protocols by my experienced post doc/PhD students as well as the fantastic technical support teams in SLS. I’ll also be in touch to guide you and take care of your problems and needs. In time, you need to take charge of your own project as an independent researcher and by later stages I will expect you to devise appropriate methods and changes to methodology.

Progression Monitoring and Monitoring

We’ll meet at least every two weeks to discuss about your progress. You need to update me on new results, failures and plans. Based on your situation, I’ll provide my advice and guide you towards the best possible outcome. I will set out my expectations of your progression on a weekly/monthly basis. If these progression criteria are not met we will always discuss a plan of action together. I am here for advice and guidance to help you reach the goals you set for yourself.

Communication

I am always available to be contacted by email. In addition, we use ‘Slack’ for communicating within the group 24/7. This is not only useful to contact me, but others in the group and share files, documents etc. I am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential or my/our expectations.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per fortnight, but usually once a week if you are carrying out a lot of lab work. However, I use 20 minute meetings since this is most effective for me!

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per fortnight with 20 min meetings.

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per fortnight with 20 min meetings. If you are in the final writing phase I might send feedback on your chapters every fortnight then meet monthly for overall progress checks.

These meetings will be ideally face to face but I’m happy to do this via the phone/chat if you prefer and I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Work Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time. However, I expect my whole lab to coordinate with each other and overlap in the times that they are in, to facilitate discussion, planning and support. Most students and staff have core hours in the lab and we find that this is helpful to make sure that each person supports each other.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words, but it’s most effective if we can discuss submission timings together since I have a big departmental load of work.

Project Details

Professor Miriam Gifford is supervisor on the below project:

Nanoparticles for penetrating complex polysaccharide matrices – cell walls and biofilms

Secondary Supervisor(s): Prof Remzi Becer (Chemistry), Prof Richard Napier, Dr Freya Harrison

University of Registration: University of Warwick

BBSRC Research Themes:

Understanding the Rules of Life (Microbiology, Plant Science)
Integrated Understanding of Health (Pharmaceuticals)
Sustainable Agriculture and Food (Plant and Crop Science)

Apply here!

Deadline: 23 May, 2024

Project Outline

Vision

To find carbon-based nanostructures that will pass through complex polysaccharide matrices to deliver drugs and/or reporters.

Context

The Becer group has tremendous expertise in the synthesis and chemistry of defined polymer nanostructures. The Harrison group studies how bacterial pathogens are able to form long-lived, chronic infections with high levels of tolerance to antibiotics, with a special focus on how bacterial biofilms affect how they respond to drugs. The Gifford and Napier groups are evaluating the penetration of designed polymer nanoparticles into plants as possible vehicles for targeted interventions.

In each research area the cells of interest are surrounded by natural, structural polysaccharide barriers. We are just beginning to learn the properties of polymer nanoparticles which can pass through these extracellular matrices but there is much more to be learnt if we are to develop efficient delivery systems for penetrating these barriers.

Research Idea

This highly interdisciplinary project will evaluate and learn the design features of carbon polymer-based nanostructures that are necessary for the best penetration of diverse, but natural polysaccharide gels. The nanoparticles will be fluorescent allowing their permeation and accumulation to be recorded using confocal microscopy. The project will include both design and chemical synthesis of polymer nanoparticles, and their biological characterisation. The ideal candidate will therefore have skills in both chemistry and cell biology. However, depending on your experience, you may focus more on one of these areas. The ideal candidate will have skills and interests in both chemistry and cell biology. Candidates with experience in either plant or animal cell biology are welcome.

Relevant References

Sweeney E, Sabnis A, Edwards AM and Harrison F. (2020) Effect of host-mimicking medium and biofilm growth on the ability of colistin to kill Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiology. 166:1171-80. Becker J, Terracciano R, Yilmaz G, Napier R, Becer CR (2023) Step-growth glycopolymers with a defined tacticity for selective carbohydrate–lectin recognition. Biomacromolecules 24: 1924–1933.

Parkinson SJ, Tungsirisurp S, Joshi C, Richmond BL, Gifford ML, Sikder A, Lynch I, O’Reilly, RK and Napier, RM (2022) Polymer nanoparticles pass the plant interface. Nature Comms. 13:7385.

Collis DWP, Yilmaz G, Yuan Y, Monaco A, Ohbaum G, Shi Y, O'Malley C, Uzunova V, Napier R, Bittot R, Becer R, Azevedo HS. (2021) Hyaluronan (HA)-inspired glycopolymers as molecular tools for studying HA functionsLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window. RSC Chemical Biology, 2: 568-576.

Techniques

Synthetic polymer chemistry, dynamic light scattering, confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, microbiology, human pathology, plant molecular biology, quantitative RT-PCR, etc.

Professor Gifford is also co-supervisor on all projects with Professor George Bassel.

Previous Projects

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