Chronic lung diseases like COPD and bronchiectasis affect millions of people in the UK and worldwide and are increasing in prevalence. They have a major impact on patients in terms of impaired quality of life, daily symptoms and premature mortality yet there are currently no effective treatments for bronchiectasis. A deeper understanding of the disease is therefore vital to allow the development of novel therapeutics. Bronchiectasis is characterised as a complex interaction between infection, inflammation, airway dysfunction and tissue damage yet the role and relative importance of each of these components in driving disease progression in different patients remains to be fully established.
In an extensive and well-funded translational study, we will perform the most in-depth microbiological characterisation of bronchiectasis to-date with an aim to understand the role of infections in driving disease progression. This project will involve assessment of the bacteria, viruses and antimicrobial resistance genes present in the lungs and gut of people with bronchiectasis. Samples from bronchiectasis patients will be compared to matched controls without lung disease. A number of cutting-edge research techniques will be employed to study the microbiological flora present in swabs, bronchioloalveolar lavage, sputum and stool samples including metagenomic and nanopore sequencing to identify bacteria, alongside transferable skills such as DNA extraction, bacterial culture and multiplex PCR.
Bioinformatic and statistical analysis of the sequencing data obtained in this project will be carried out on a high-performance computing cluster using specialised data analysis methods based on R computing packages. Data obtained from this study will be compared to data gathered on the function of the immune system, airway function and whole genome sequencing enabling a comprehensive analysis of genotype-phenotype interactions in the bronchiectasis patients to be performed. This study will provide key endotype and phenotype data which will aid the development of new therapies for bronchiectasis. Full training in all the methodologies used will be provided.
The student will join the respiratory infection research group at the School of Medicine, University of Dundee, which includes 3 principle investigators, 5 post-docs, 3 current PhD students, 4 technicians and a bioinformatician. The student will join an extremely productive and supportive environment dedicated to high quality research training, whose microbiome sequencing and data analysis work stream is a core part of large research grants and has resulted in several high impact publications. The student will be actively encouraged to engage with the wider respiratory research science and patient communities including attending and presenting at major international conferences. Mentorship is individualized to students needs and we encourage flexible working and policies to encourage diversity and a positive working environment.
We are looking for a team orientated individual with a background in biology or medical science and/or data analysis wishing to perform cutting edge translational research.
Start date is June 2021.
To apply please send a copy of your CV with covering letter to [Email Address Removed] and [Email Address Removed] before 31st March 2021.