Industrial collaboration convinced Elmira to undertake her PhD project

Elmira Mohit is undertaking a collaborative PhD project, Investigating Streptomyces clavuligerus Linear Replicons for Improved Clavulanic Acid Production, with GSK. In this case study, she tells us about her ambition to use biotechnology to make an impact on people, the fast-paced nature of developments in this area, and her predictions for the next innovation in IB.

Why did you decide to undertake this project?

I decided to undertake this project because of the collaboration with GSK, our industrial partner. Having done the IBioIC Industrial Biotechnology MSc, the idea of a PhD that had extensive collaboration with industry really enticed me. The project itself was also very impressive, and I knew it would challenge my knowledge and skills of molecular genetics and genetic engineering.

What are your ambitions for the future?

My ambitions for the future are to work for a company involved in one of the many colours of biotechnology, as I believe that this how I can make my work have a direct impact on people. I would like to maintain a connection to academia, and as a SULSA Industry Ambassador, hope I could form connections between the two sectors, aiding research.

What excites you about your research?

What excites me about my research is definitely the science and the fast-paced development of molecular biology as a whole. The underlying molecular genetics of my research has become more complicated the more I discover and learn, which is extremely motivating. The techniques I have used and will use are also changing constantly. Molecular biology and biotechnology methods have changed so much and trying out new techniques, for example using CRISPR toolkits, have been an absolute joy.

Where/what do you think the next innovation in IB will be? 

The next innovation in IB will come from advancing sequencing, whole genome analysis and AI techniques to be able to better use the materials and organisms around us to replace less efficient, more harmful processes in biotechnology. And probably a lot more targeted synthetic biology to help do this within all IB areas.

What is an interesting fact about you / what do you enjoy doing away from your studies? 

I have really enjoyed doing brazilian jiu-jitsu for the past 6 years. It has helped me have something else to focus on when times are a bit more stressful in the lab.