Inositol polyphosphate kinases and fungal virulence

Candida albicans is the major fungal pathogen of humans causing over 400,000 deaths per annum. Systemic Candida infections are difficult to treat as current anti-fungal drugs are limited and cause undesirable side-effects. It is important to understand how C. albicans acquires essential nutrients during infection of the human host, because this is intimately linked with the virulence of this major pathogen. In this project you will explore exciting new findings from the Quinn lab that acquisition of the macronutrient phosphate is vital for C. albicans virulence. Specifically, building on a recent breakthrough in the field, you will determine how C. albicans senses intracellular levels of phosphate to trigger activation of the PHO phosphate acquisition pathway. Using a multidisciplinary approach, you will be trained in molecular genomics, biochemistry, and virulence models, to explore the role of inositol polyphosphate signalling molecules in mediating phosphate homeostasis and fungal virulence. This is an important step in the development of improved therapeutic strategies for treating fungal infections.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should be made by emailing [Email Address Removed] with a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees), and a covering letter – clearly stating your first choice project, and optionally 2nd and 3rd ranked projects, as well as including whatever additional information you feel is pertinent to your application; you may wish to indicate, for example, why you are particularly interested in the selected project(s) and at the selected University. Applications not meeting these criteria will be rejected.
In addition to the CV and covering letter, please email a completed copy of the Additional Details Form (Word document) to [Email Address Removed]. A blank copy of this form can be found at: https://www.nld-dtp.org.uk/how-apply.
Informal enquiries may be made to [Email Address Removed].