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| Elucidating the mechanism of the innate immune response in human lung tissue slices | ||||||||||||
The Respiratory Research Group invites applications for a distinguished BBSRC Industrial CASE PhD studentship commencing October 2010*. The studentship is open to UK/EU** nationals only due to the nature of the funding and will attract an annual tax-free stipend of £17, 155 in addition to covering tuition fees and all related research costs. The project is in collaboration with Pfizer UK and will involve a placement within their Global R&D facility. The requirement for gas exchange means that the respiratory system is in direct physical contact with the external environment and for this reason, is continuously exposed to a range of pathogens. To prevent unwanted infection, the innate immune system recognises and removes these pathogens. This response is activated by families of pathogen pattern recognition receptors such as the Toll-like and interleukin-1 (TL/IL-1) receptors, nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain-like receptors (NLRs) and retinoic acid-inducible-1-like receptors (RLR) which bind conserved molecules within bacteria, fungi and viruses. To date, the majority of studies into the mechanism of the innate immune in the respiratory system have been performed in isolated primary cells, cell lines or animals. All these approaches have disadvantages when trying to understand the complex interactions that occur under physiological conditions in human subjects. In this project, we propose to address these limitations by examining the innate immune response in human lung tissue slices. Specifically, we shall use biochemical and pharmacological approaches including ELISAs, western blotting, qRT-PCR, in situ hybridisation, immunohistochemistry and laser capture microscopy to examine the mechanisms that regulate the response to bacterial (lipopolysaccharide) and viral infection (rhinovirus). Research will be conducted across numerous research sites including the University Campus (Stopford Building), University Hospital of South Manchester (Wythenshawe) and Pfizer Research in Kent (a minimum of 6 months). The supervisory team will consist of Dr Mark A Lindsay, Dr Dave Singh and Dr Iain Kilty. Given the breadth of training in respiratory pharmacology and immunology, this PhD would provide an ideal platform for progression into an academic or industrial R&D career. Respiratory function is an area of growing scientific importance to the UK population, so skills-sets in this applied field will be highly sought after. Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a minimum upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent) in an associated subject such as biological sciences, immunology, molecular biology etc. Please direct applications in the following format to Dr Mark Lindsay (mark.lindsay@manchester.ac.uk): • A CV, including full details of all University course grades to date. • Contact details for two academic or professional referees. • A personal statement (750 words maximum) outlining your suitability for the study, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date. Any enquiries relating to the project and/or suitability should be directed to Dr Lindsay at the above address. Applications are invited up to and including Friday 20 August 2010. http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/respiratory/ http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/staff/marklindsay *October 2010 is the preferred start date, although this could be deferred until January 2011 should this suit the successful candidate. OurRef:LindsayCASE Funding Notes ** Applicants must be UK/EU nationals who have been permanent UK residents since 1 September 2007 in order to qualify for full funding support. |
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