About the Project
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) produces asymptomatic infection in most immunocompetent individuals but thereafter establishes life-long infection with periodic reactivation and asymptomatic shedding. However, during pregnancy, the virus can cross the placenta to infect the fetus following primary or reactivated infection in the mother. Congenital HCMV infection of the fetus (cCMV) is the most common congenital infection affecting 0.2 - 2.2% of all live births. There are three possible outcomes: 10-15% of infants are born with severe disease evident at birth and have a poor prognosis; 85-90% are born asymptomatic, but 10-15% of these asymptomatic babies develop late sequelae most common among which is sensorineural hearing loss; the remaining babies develop normally without sequelae. There is currently no way to predict which of the asymptomatic babies will go on to develop sequelae making it difficult to justify a universal newborn screening programme for cCMV as most babies who would test positive in such a programme would remain healthy.
Work in our laboratory has examined the role of the major envelope glycoproteins of cytomegalovirus which are known to be highly polymorphic. Current understanding of their role in disease pathogenesis is limited and various studies have produced contradictory results. If particular glycoprotein types or combinations of types could be shown to have a role in altering disease outcome, there is potential to identify a viral biomarker for asymptomatic infection likely to progress to late onset sequelae and provide justification for a universal screening programme.
Using viral BAC constructs we will substitute different glycoprotein types into the Merlin strain of the virus (which is closest to wild-type) to assess the effect of altering the glycoproteins on the virus characteristics such as growth rate, cell tropism and ability to induce an immune response. This will help to elucidate the role of glycoproteins in disease outcome.
Eligibility
Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in a biological discipline including Biology, Neuroscience and allied fields, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology. Applicants with experience in basic molecular techniques and an interest in neurodevelopment are encouraged to apply.
Before you Apply
Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.
How to Apply
For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/). Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor. On the online application form select the appropriate subject title - PhD Neuroscience.
For international students, we also offer a unique 4 year PhD programme that gives you the opportunity to undertake an accredited Teaching Certificate whilst carrying out an independent research project across a range of biological, medical and health sciences. For more information please visit https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/international-phd/
Your application form must be accompanied by a number of supporting documents by the advertised deadlines. Without all the required documents submitted at the time of application, your application will not be processed and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have any queries regarding making an application please contact our admissions team FBMH.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/
Funding Notes
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