The COVID-19 pandemic has seen unprecedented development and employment of new vaccine technologies that can be produced and administered quickly. Furthermore, gene editing technologies have allowed for specialised treatments to be applied via specific genetic targeting. This project aims to use both new vaccine and gene editing technologies to develop more advanced platforms to generate personalised vaccines. Such personalised vaccines can be tailored for individuals to activate specific immune responses, especially against tumours and difficult to treat cancers.
SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been rolled out rapidly and appear to be effective, however, long lasting protection and recovery was associated with effective T cell responses. Furthermore, as tumours and cancers arise from mutations, these cellular changes can only be effectively detected and targeted by T cells. Therefore, harnessing specific T cell responses has the potential of generating effective vaccine response and eradicating tumours without toxic side effects.
Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non- UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above)
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please note: All applications must include a covering letter (up to 1000 words maximum) including why you are interested in this PhD, a summary of the relevant experience you can bring to this project and of your understanding of this subject area with relevant references (beyond the information already provided in the advert). Applications that do not include the advert reference (e.g. SF22/…) will not be considered.
Deadline for applications: Ongoing
Start Date: 1st October and 1st March are the standard cohort start dates each year.
Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our doctoral students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University hold a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career development of researchers.
Informal enquiries to Dr Antony Antoniou ([Email Address Removed])
Effective vaccines require immunogenic peptides to be presented to cells of the immune system which generate both antibody and T cell responses. T lymphocytes engage and become activated by peptides presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. There are two main types of T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic and CD4+ T helper cells. CD8+ T cells are triggered and activated by recognising a peptide sequence presented by MHC class I molecules. These CD8+ T cells have the ability to eradicate infected and tumour bearing cells by specific cytotoxic lysis. CD4+ T helper cells are activated by peptides presented by MHC Class II molecules. CD4+ T cells provide ‘help’ to both cytotoxic CD8+ T cells to elicit an efficient killing response and B cells to make antibodies. Therefore, this project aims to generate new vaccine platforms targeting specific T cell responses.
We have developed unique platforms that can be tailored to activate specific T cells (Lenart at al in press). In collaboration with Oxford University and University College London, the candidate undertaking this project will work to develop new T cell triggering vaccine platforms using both bioengineering and gene-editing CRISPR/Cas technologies. Using unique protein fusion methodology, platforms will be engineered to enhance both immunogenicity and delivery. Additionally, the candidate will generate ‘off the shelf’ vaccine platforms designed to an individual’s immune system.
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