Virulence associated proteins of Rhodococcus (Prescottella) equi (HLS/DRFAPP7P/62003)

Rhodococcus equi (Prescottella equi) is an intracellular equine pathogen that causes an aggressive bronchopneumonia in foals and bears many similarities with the agent of human tuberculosis. Its pathogenicity is not currently well understood but is recognised to be dependent upon a virulence plasmid and, in particular, is strongly associated with the family of small and unusual secreted virulence associate proteins (VAPs) that it encodes. These VAPs will be the focus of this PhD study. Recently, we and others have defined the crystal structures of some of these VAPs. This structural information now allows us to more accurately design experiments to dissect their modes of action in pathogenesis.

Throughout the multidisciplinary project you will be trained in a variety of molecular biology, biochemical, biophysical, microbiological and cell biology techniques to further our aim of understanding the roles of these proteins in the disease process. You will be trained in molecular microbiology and cell biology in order to develop in vitro and cellular-based assays of VAP function. You will construct genetically-modified variants of the VAPs that you will characterise in this range of novel functional assays. One of the VAP proteins, VapA, is modified with a lipid in an unusual manner and is retained at the bacterial surface. You will also use a variety of molecular and proteomics techniques in order to determine the mechanism through which this is achieved.

Your published research will make a contribution to veterinary medicine and also to our understanding of fundamental biological processes in clinically-relevant actinobacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Enquiries regarding this studentship should be made to: Dr Lynn G Dover, Email [Email Address Removed] or tel 0191 2273975

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please ensure you quote the advert reference above on your application form.