Structural study of enterovirus replication in vivo

Viruses from the Enterovirus genus belong to the family Picornaviridae of human and vertebrate pathogens. Diseases caused by enteroviruses range from upper and lower respiratory tract infections to life-threatening encephalitis. Rhinoviruses are responsible for 40% of the common cold cases that result in yearly cost of tens of billions of US$ in treatments and lost working hours worldwide.
The student will study the replication cycle of enteroviruses (represented by human rhinoviruses A2 and B14 and enterovirus 71) in vivo by a combination of focused ion beam milling and cryo-electron tomography. He/she will investigate the mechanism of enterovirus genome release and delivery into a host cell, changes in intra-cellular organization induced by enterovirus infection, and the assembly of progeny virions. We will complement the whole-cell studies by high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy of virus genome release under biologically relevant conditions in vitro.

Keywords: enteroviruses, replication cycle, ion beam milling, cryo-electron tomography, cryo-ET, cryo-electron microscopy, virology

HOW TO APPLY: Register for this call using the registration form at http://ls-phd.ceitec.cz/http-ls-phd-ceitec-cz/ and submit required documents to receive support with the preparation of the application and all formalities. Your application package will be forwarded to the supervisor for preliminary revision.
Applicants who wish to pursue a degree at the CEITEC PhD program must hold the equivalent of a Master’s degree (MSc) in a similar field (four- or five-year undergraduate degree). The application can be submitted before obtaining the Master’s degree; however, the applicant should obtain a degree within five months after the application deadline.