Plasmids making the difference? Defining the role of the ColV-plasmid in Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) cause colibacillosis, a group of poultry diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality in birds. Colibacillosis constitutes a major economic problem and welfare issue for the poultry industry worldwide, and there are concerns that APEC may be transmitted to humans via contaminated food, and contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Control and prevention of colibacillosis requires a thorough understanding of APEC epidemiology and transmission, but this has proven to be very difficult due to significant genetic differences between APEC isolates. In preliminary work based on large-scale genomic comparisons, we have found that APEC from diverse backgrounds only share the presence of a large, genetically variable plasmid of the ColV-IncF family, but the exact contribution of this plasmid in APEC virulence is still unclear. In this project we will investigate the role and transmission of the ColV-IncF plasmid in APEC using a range of complementary genetic, microbiological, bioinformatic and infection biology approaches.
The candidate will join the research groups of Dr Arnoud van Vliet and Prof Roberto La Ragione, and will have ample opportunities to acquire and extend skills veterinary microbiology, molecular biology, bacterial genomics and bioinformatics. The supervisors are based at the School of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Biosciences and Medicine at the University of Surrey, respectively, where they have state-of-the-art research facilities which include access to Oxford Nanopore sequencing facilities and bioinformatic facilities. The groups are embedded in a thriving research environment with ample opportunities for collaboration, skills acquisition and skills development. Applications should be made to the Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD programme.
A 3.5-year fully funded studentship open to applicants worldwide starting in October 2022. Funding includes stipend, full fees and a research grant.
More information on the School of Veterinary Medicine
Entry requirements
A good Honours degree (upper second) in an appropriate discipline, but prior experience in research or industry may be acceptable.
English language requirements: An IELTS Academic of 6.5 or above with 6 in each individual category (or equivalent qualification from other agencies).
How to apply
Applications should be submitted via the online application portal for Veterinary Medicine and Science.
This project is part of the Faculty-funded studentship scheme and you can express interest in one or two of the projects available via this scheme. When completing your application, in place of a research proposal, please provide a 1-page (maximum) document containing the reference numbers(s), project title(s) and supervisor name(s) of the project or two projects you have selected, together with an explanation of your motivations for wanting to study for a PhD and your reasons for selecting the project(s) you have chosen.
The reference number for this project is FHMS PL - BM - 36.
For those interested in the project described above, we strongly encourage informal enquiries to Dr Arnoud van Vliet ([Email Address Removed]).
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