Fully-funded White Rose BBSRC DTP Biology project: LPS and LTA: sticking, binding and anchoring? Using cutting-edge glycobiology to address molecular interactions of bacteria cell-wall biomarker with host cells.

Lead supervisor: Dr Nathalie Signoret (Department of Biology & Hull York Medical School)

Co-supervisors: Dr Martin Fascione (Department of Chemistry) and Dr Dave Boucher (Department of Biology)

The student will be registered with the Department of Biology

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from bacteria is an important activator of immune cells. Their soluble form released from the bacterial cell-wall interact with an array of host molecules found “out, on or in” cells, and are thought to activate defense mechanisms. However, how these bacterial components engage in many interactions remains poorly understood.

The proposed project aims to define how the amphiphilic nature and the different domains of these molecules influence interactions and have a biological impact. You will use cutting-edge chemical biology methods to generate novel tools enabling the study of these interactions at the molecular level. Your first aim is to design LPS and/or LTA analogues able to dissect mechanisms of interaction using well-characterised cell lines combined with flow cytometry, imaging and biochemical techniques. Functional effects will then be validated using cell-stimulation assays.

Supported by the combined expertise in immunobiology and chemical glycobiology from our research groups, the student will develop scientific skills in areas of molecular cell biology, and biochemistry that will enable to define the biological significance of bacterial-host cell interaction events.

This project should rapidly generate valuable findings leading to a better understanding of mechanisms supporting microbe/host interplay.

The Departments of Biology and Chemistry both hold an Athena SWAN Gold Award. We are committed to supporting equality and diversity and strive to provide a positive working environment for all staff and students. 

The WR DTP and the University of York are committed to recruiting future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and we have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.

Entry Requirements: Students with, or expecting to gain, at least an upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. The interdisciplinary nature of this programme means that we welcome applications from students with any biological, chemical, and/or physical science backgrounds, or students with mathematical background who are interested in using their skills in addressing biological questions. 

Programme: PhD in Mechanistic Biology (4 years)

Start Date: 1st October 2023 (the student will be affiliated with the Department of Biology)

Interviews: Friday 10 February 2023 or Monday 13 February 2023. Please keep these dates free.