Characterising animal IFIT proteins; universal inhibitors of viral protein synthesis?

A PhD studentship co-funded by the Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge and The Pirbright Institute is available to work on a collaborative project in the laboratories of Dr Trevor Sweeney and Dr Dalan Bailey. This exciting project will investigate the role of interferon stimulated genes in regulating viral pathogens of animals. The position is available from October 2019 or as soon thereafter as the suitable candidate can start.

The interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFITs) are a family of antiviral proteins conserved throughout all vertebrates. IFITs are cytosolic proteins, upregulated upon infection, which play a key role in combatting viral infection. In this project a detailed analysis of IFIT complex assembly and their function in various animal species will be performed. Understanding the mechanistic basis and regulation of host innate immune activities may provide new routes to protecting animal health and improve our understanding of viral pathogenesis. The candidate will be trained in molecular virology techniques and analysis of host-pathogen interactions and will be encouraged to take an active part in all aspects of research from performing experiments to giving seminars and drafting research papers for peer review and publication.