Biochemistry: Fully Funded MSc Investigating mycotoxin development within commercial animal feed rs714

Funding provider(s): Volac International Limited

Subject area(s): Biochemistry, Natural Products, Analytical Chemistry

Project start date: 1 January 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-December)

Supervisors:

• Dr Ruth Godfrey (Academic PI)
• Dr Huseuh-lui Ho (Industry PI)
• Dr Rob Furmage (Industry CoI)
• Prof Dan Eastwood (Academic CoI)
• Dr Rachel Townsend (Academic CoI)
• Dr Ann Hunter (Academic CoI)

Aligned programme of study: Medical and Health Care Studies / MSc by Research / Full-time / 1 Year / January

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description:

Global population growth is driving rapid increases in farming and livestock industries, with the demand for agricultural crops and animal feed projected to rise by 84% by 2050. This surge has heightened focus on the quality and safety of animal feed with hazardous substances known to enter the food chain and directly impact on livestock production and human health.

Regulatory directives set limits on undesirable mycotoxins - toxic secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, and Fusarium fungi. Mycotoxin contamination usually presents as a highly concentrated, localized, and inhomogeneous distribution and poses significant toxicity and carcinogenicity risks, with the loss of the entire feed (grain) batch often needed to control safety. Typical control measures for mycotoxins include: (1) trapping via sorption using inorganic (e.g., clay) or organic (e.g., yeast cell wall) binding agents added to the feed, (2) degradation through chemical (e.g., photocatalysis) or biological (enzymatic or microbial) means, and (3) nutritional supplementation to alleviate the toxicity of the mycotoxin to the animal. Most commercial products are mycotoxin binders (MTBs), which limit the overall effectiveness of remediation. Since regulation and monitoring focus mainly on a few mycotoxins, with EU permitted levels only applicable to Aflatoxin, there is a need to enhance prevention and remediation strategies.

Volac Intl has been producing high-performing nutritional products for over 40 years, including a range of animal feed additives, fat supplements and silage additives. Their advanced R&D laboratories, fermentation and production facilities (based locally in Port Talbot) provide a comprehensive ecosystem focused on developing innovative and sustainable products that advance the health and productivity of animals. This project offers the exciting opportunity to train and work collaboratively, as part of a highly experienced interdisciplinary research team within this ecosystem and Swansea University’s cutting-edge Life Science laboratories and Natural Products BioHub. The project will investigate the mycotoxin profile of Volac’s novel Ultrasorb animal feed treatment using analytical methods that include LC-high resolution MS (LC-HRMS). The method will be evaluated for measuring Fusarium mycotoxins in various samples, which include total mixed ration (TMR) feed, silage, milk and soil.

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and a stipend value of £12,000 (excl VAT)

Funds for other expenses may be available to the value of £4,460 (excl VAT) bench fee

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice – please select as per preferred mode of study, either:

Medical and Health Care Studies / MSc by Research / Full-time / 1 Year / January

In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

1. Start year – please select 2025
2. Funding (page 8 on the application process) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS714 - Commercial Animal Feed'

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.  

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form (online form) 

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• Two references (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirements (if applicable).
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact: Dr Ruth Godfrey A.R.Godfrey@Swansea.ac.uk

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.