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Immunisation against infectious disease can prevent death and suffering on a global scale. Tuberculosis (TB) kills more people than any other infectious disease except Covid-19 (1). It is also a major zoonotic infection in cattle. The BCG vaccine against TB was developed 100 years ago and provides only partial protection in both man and cattle (2). This PhD project aims to develop a new and improved version of BCG, using state-of-the-art gene editing of the BCG bacterium combined with world-leading subcellular lipidomics of BCG inside immune cells. The new gene-edited BCG will have altered levels of immunostimulatory phospholipids and will be tested for its ability to stimulate T cell immune responses in human and bovine systems.
This is a multidisciplinary project that will provide unparalleled training in molecular microbiology, analytical biochemistry and immunology. The PhD student will work with world-leading groups with experience in CRISPR gene-editing of BCG vaccines, mass-spectrometry/lipidomics at a single cell level, and human and animal vaccinology/immunology. The PhD student will be supported to publish their results in scientific journals and at international meetings.
Applications are invited from enthusiastic candidates with a biology or chemistry background.
This is a Faculty Funded Studentship within the Biosciences and Medicine PhD programme. The project is jointly led by Professor Graham Stewart, Department of Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and Professor Melanie Bailey, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
1. Global Tuberculosis Report - World Health Organization (WHO). 2021
2. Colditz GA, Brewer TF, Berkey CS, et al. Efficacy of BCG Vaccine in the Prevention of Tuberculosis: Meta-analysis of the Published Literature. JAMA. 1994;271(9):698–702. doi:10.1001/jama.1994.03510330076038
Principle Supervisor - Graham Stewart (FHMS) [Email Address Removed]
The supervisory team: Professor Stewart has been primary supervisor for 10 PhD students; all of whom successfully completed their PhD. His group studies various aspects of mycobacterial infections including vaccine development. Professor Bailey is an expert in the novel application of mass spectrometry and ion beam analysis to real-world problems and will be primary supervisor for the subcellular extractions and lipidomics. Dr Butler has a background in T cell biology and mycobacteria infection and has previously co-supervised a PhD student with Prof Stewart on mycobacteria/macrophage interactions. Dr Riddell brings expertise in T cell immunology which complements the expertise of Stewart/Butler who are more focussed on the microbiology.
Entry requirements
Open to UK and international students with the project starting in October 2023. Note that a maximum of 30% of the studentships will be offered to international students.
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/biosciences-and-medicine-phd#entry.
How to apply
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant principal supervisor(s) to discuss the project(s) before submitting their application.
Applications should be submitted via the [https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/biosciences-and-medicine-phd programme page (N.B. Please select the October 2023 start date when applying).
You may opt to apply for a single project or for 2 of these Faculty-funded studentship projects
When completing your application, in place of a research proposal, please provide a brief motivational document (1 page maximum) which specifies:
Additionally, to complete a full application, you MUST also email a copy of your CV and 1-page motivational document directly to the relevant project principal supervisor of each project you apply for. Due to short turnaround times for applicant shortlisting, failure to do this may mean that your application is not considered.
Please note that online interviews for shortlisted applicants are expected to take place during the week commencing 30th January.
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