BBSRC PhD Studentship in Quantitative Characterisation of Viral Heterogeneity

Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London in collaboration with Oxford Biomedica

Application Deadline: Friday 1st December 2023 (12:00 midday GMT)

Project Start Date: 23rd September 2024

Supervisors

Primary Supervisor: Prof Ajoy Velayudhan

Secondary Supervisors: Dr Frank Baganz

About the Project

The study of viruses for applications in cell and gene therapy and viral vaccines is one of the most rapidly growing areas in biotechnology. However, current efforts at characterising viral populations have been limited by insufficient attention to their heterogeneous nature. The goal of this studentship is to characterise viral heterogeneity, by accounting explicitly for the distribution of sizes, shapes, and functional properties exhibited by experimental viral populations. The primary method for measuring viral heterogeneity will be viral flow cytometry (flow virometry) and will be supplemented by other techniques as needed. Quantitative tools will be used to characterise these distributions, including model-free methods and the numerical treatment of integro-differential equations. These quantitative methods will produce established mathematical descriptions of the whole viral population, rather than simply a mean value.

A typical experimental system is an AAV (adeno-associated virus) vector produced using HEK cells, but other vector production systems may also be considered. The student working on this project will be primarily responsible for the experimental characterisation of viral vector distributions and will work collaboratively on the quantification of these results.

The proposed work is in accord with the principles of Industry 4.0 (which envisions incorporating automation into a variety of systems) and will be of interest to researchers in virology

About the BBSRC Collaborative Training Partnership in Advanced Bioscience of Viral Products (ABViP)

This PhD studentship is part of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Collaborative Training Partnership (CTP) in Advanced Bioscience of Viral Products (ABViP). The ABViP-CTP is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary training programme designed to deliver the next generation of bioscience leaders who will advance research on the underpinning bioscience of viral products for future gene therapies and vaccines. Led by Oxford Biomedica (OXB) and involving both UCL and the University of Oxford, CTP students will have access to a wide-ranging portfolio of training opportunities at the Partner sites including taught courses and case studies designed to complement the doctoral research. Students trained through the ABViP CTP will gain a holistic insight into the research and development activities required to develop the medicines of the future, with the ability to see the world of medicines development through both an academic and industrial lens. For more information about the ABViP CTP, please click on the following link: https://careers.oxb.com/content/ABViP-Home/?locale=en_GB

A webinar will be held on Thursday 9th November 2023 18:00 – 19:00 (GMT) which will introduce the ABViP Programme, and each of the projects and provides an opportunity to have your questions answered. To register for this webinar, please click here: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/743/3v54xblw5

About the Department

This project is based in the Department of Biochemical Engineering at UCL, a world leader in bioprocess research creating novel engineering solutions to underpin future biomanufacturing processes. The Department of Biochemical Engineering represents one of the major bioprocessing groups in the world, where high-impact research activity is undertaken with a strong industry focus, linking advanced bioscience to an understanding of whole bioprocesses by which discoveries are translated into healthcare outcomes. The Department has superb facilities for biochemical engineering research with a significant impact on the bioprocessing and biomanufacturing of cell and gene therapies, biologics, vaccines, oligonucleotides, regenerative medicines, high-value chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biomaterials. Researchers in our Department make use of the recent >£30m of investment in comprehensive and unique facilities including a fully equipped pilot plant.

About Oxford Biomedica

Oxford Biomedica (OXB) is a pioneer of gene and cell therapy with a leading position in viral vector research and bioprocessing. Our mission is to deliver life-changing gene therapies to patients. OXB is an innovation and science-focused company that has developed a leading platform of novel technologies and capabilities. The OXB team provide design, development, bioprocessing and analytical development for gene-based medicines based on viral vectors, both for in-house products and for those developed with partner organisations. OXB has contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) capabilities that support the development of novel gene-based medicines through all phases of clinical development to commercial manufacture. At Oxford Biomedica, we drive credible science to realise incredible results.

Entry requirements

A UK master’s degree, or a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree, in a relevant discipline, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. We particularly welcome applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds, or via an unconventional career path. If you’re unclear as to whether you are eligible, we would encourage you to apply regardless. You can also contact the project supervisor (see details below). To learn more about the policies in relation to diversity and inclusion at UCL, please click here for further information: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/engineering/about/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-ucl-engineering

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Prof Ajoy Velayudhan (E-mail: [Email Address Removed]).

English language requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. The English language level for this programme is: Standard

Deadline and Application Process

The deadline for submission is 12:00 midday on Friday 1st December 2023. To apply for this PhD studentship, you must submit a formal application to the Research Degree: Biochemical Engineering RRDBENSING01 course through UCL’s application portal by the above deadline. Please follow this link to make a formal application for the programme: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/research-degrees/biochemical-engineering-mphil-phd