Non-coding RNA in host defence

It is now evident that despite only 2% of the genome encoding protein, up to 80% of the genome is transcribed as non-coding (nc)RNAs. Subsets of ncRNA include the microRNAs and the recently emerging long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA). Over 1000 miRNA have been identified and recent estimates suggest there are >20000 distinct lncRNAs. Research into how lncRNAs are regulated and how they modulate cellular differentiation/function is still in it infancy but they have been shown to affect many biological processes, including regulation of gene expression, dosage compensation and genomic imprinting. lncRNA dysregulation has been seen in numerous diseases but as yet there are no studies investigating the role and regulation of lncRNAs during host defence against pathogens. This PhD will use next generation sequencing technology to identify genes regulated by pathogens and tumours, including Salmonella, respiratory syncytial virus, C. albicans and C. difficile. Once identified numerous molecular and cellular techniques will be used to study and manipulate these RNAs in order to provide insight in to host pathogen interactions and development of future therapeuatics