Antibodies are a cornerstone of the immune system, providing the body with a “guided missile” that can recognise microbes that infect us. They can discern microbes down to minute details of protein shape differences. When antibodies bind microbes they can directly disable microbial infecting abilities (e.g. viral neutralization) or they can label microbes (including bacteria) for attack by other components of the immune system such as phagocytes. B cells are a major type of white blood cell that have the vital role of producing antibodies during an antigen-specific immune response such as during an infection or vaccination. Although antibody responses through B cell activation are crucial to protection from infection, as demonstrated in people with deficient B cells who get many infections, sometimes unwanted antibody responses are generated. This is the case in autoimmunity, allergy and transplant rejection, where antibodies cause disease in themselves through their recognition of harmless (non-microbe) targets and their initiating of immune pathology. The vast majority of immunological measurements, specific for the presence of desired or undesired responses, are serum antibodies measured by ELISA-based approaches. Whilst useful, there is growing evidence, generated in particular by our partner Cellular Technology Ltd and using their technology (1), that serum antibody measurement data can be supplemented, or even improved upon, by the measurement of the B cells that produce these specific antibodies. The further development and refinement of CTL’s Immunospot approach to measure such B cells in the context of non-infectious diseases, including autoimmunity and transplant rejection, will reveal key aspects of B cell biology in these situations, and may provide clinicians with useful additional disease markers than can predict disease trajectory. Therefore, in this project, B cell Immunospot will be developed in autoimmunity and transplantation, in partnership with CTL, involving laboratory work at Northumbria University and CTL. The aim is to produce high impact joint publications that promote CTL’s technologies and Northumbria’s research excellence.
Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
· Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
· Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
· Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please note: All applications must include a covering letter (up to 1000 words maximum) including why you are interested in this PhD, a summary of the relevant experience you can bring to this project and of your understanding of this subject area with relevant references (beyond the information already provided in the advert). Applications that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDFC23/…) will not be considered
Deadline for applications: 17 April 2023
Interviews: tbc
Start Date: 1 October 2023
Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our doctoral students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University hold a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career development of researchers.
Enquiries to Prof Stephen Todryk ([Email Address Removed])
Continue with Facebook
