The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative, seeks to advance the understanding of aquatic symbioses that include microbial partners. Being part of this initiative, we are able to provide a great opportunity for an MSc-R student to join our international project. This funded MSc-R project will be based at the School of Biosciences at the University of Kent and is led by Dr Anastasios Tsaousis (https://www.kent.ac.uk/biosciences/people/653/tsaousis-anastasios) and Dr Sonja Rueckert (https://www.napier.ac.uk/people/sonja-rueckert).
Apicomplexans are widely distributed, single-celled organisms that are always described as obligate parasitic. Despite their importance for human health (malaria, toxoplasmosis) and their virulence in animals, there is substantial evidence for mutualistic attributes of some apicomplexans (Rueckert et al. 2019; Paight et al., 2018). Gregarine apicomplexans infect almost all invertebrates and are highly abundant across ecosystems (Rueckert et al. 2011; de Vargas et al. 2015; Cleary & Durbin 2016; Lentendu et al. 2018). The early diverging gregarines span the whole range of symbiosis from mutualism to parasitism (Rueckert et al. 2019) and thus are critical links in the evolution of symbiosis in the apicomplexans. Despite their importance, information on the biology and evolution of these organisms is lacking with e.g. only a handful of transcriptome and genome data available (Mathur et al. 2019, Janouškovec et al. 2019).
In-vitro culturing has not been achieved for any gregarine. Thus, the aim of this project is to develop an in-vitro tissue culture for aquatic Gregarine apicomplexans. The student will establish an invertebrate in-vitro 2D tissue culture for gregarine apicomplexans. They will develop invertebrate cell cultures using tissues from various gut areas of invertebrate hosts. This approach will be assessed by infecting the host cells with the target species and monitor the success of gregarine development and propagation using an in-house automated microscopy system, under controlled atmospheric conditions.
The candidate: We are seeking a highly motivated individual, excited by the prospect of conducting cutting-edge research, with a minimum of 2:1 degree and/or a postgraduate degree in a relevant subject. She/he will have a strong willingness to work at the interface of wet-lab and fieldwork and demonstrate enthusiasm to learn new skills. Informal enquiries can be addressed to Dr. Anastasios Tsaousis: [Email Address Removed]
Funding: This is funded by Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative. The stipend paid equals the full UK Research Council rate of £15,009 [AT1] (rate for 2021/22) plus tuition fees at the Home rate. International applicants should make provision to meet the difference between Home and International fees.
How to apply: Applications can be made using the online University application page where the project title should be entered as the proposed area of research and Dr. Anastasios Tsaousis as supervisor. Please include a CV and a cover letter. Applications must be received by 6th of April 2021. The start date is 20th of September 2021.