About the project
3-year funded PhD – Using epigenetics to discover mechanisms behind drug tolerance in a fungal pathogen
Part of EpiCrossBorders: International Helmholtz-Edinburgh Research School for Epigenetics (contact The School Office at [Email Address Removed])
This is an exciting PhD opportunity to join a well-funded collaborative PhD project. This project is a collaboration between leading research groups based at the Helmholtz Center Munich and the University of Edinburgh. The main part of the project takes place in the lab of Dr. Carsten Marr at the Helmholtz Center Munich, but will include an exchange stay in the lab of Dr. Peter Swain at the University of Edinburgh.
Project description: Using epigenetics to discover mechanisms behind drug tolerance in a fungal pathogen
Fungal infections are often caused by yeast species called Candida. Around 99% of isolates of the most common, Candida albicans, are susceptible to the standard therapy fluconazole, but some infections still do not heal. A fraction of the population - and their offspring - are able to grow in concentrations of drugs that kill most cells. This phenomenon is thought to be epigenetic: Tolerant cells are not genetically distinct, but have launched a stress response, which includes transporter proteins that actively expel drugs.
In this project, we will use quantitative time-lapse microscopy and mathematical modelling to study tolerance and epigenetics in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the pathogen Candida albicans.
Our focus will be to develop a quantitative understanding of the heterogeneous expression of transporter proteins that actively expel drugs, an epigenetic phenomenon likely generated by positive feedback within the genetic network regulating the transporters' expression. Our aim is to test the simple hypothesis that the activity of the transporter increases its own expression, similar to the bi-stability in S. cerevisiae's GAL network.
The results will give mechanistic insight into how epigenetics allows tolerance, a clinically relevant phenomenon, to be maintained within populations of pathogenic fungi.
More information and to apply:
All applications need to go through our application portal, which can be found here: https://bit.ly/2WAG2Dx
Funding details: a three-year Doctoral contract and no tuition fees.
Eligibility: Applicants should hold a University Master’s degree (MSc or equivalent) to apply. with a strong background in biological sciences, (bio)chemistry, biomedicine computer science or related discipline, have excellent English language skills and a strong interest in an international PhD program. Your MSc degree has to include a Master Thesis on a scientific project.
Applicants still studying for their Master's degree may provide a provisional certificate or bona fide statement from the University stating the marks already obtained and estimated graduation date. Applicants accepted in the program are required to have completed their Master's degree before they can start their PhD work in the program. Applicants accepted within the program have to start their PhD work latest in fall 2022.
Applicants who wish to apply with a four-year BSc degree (equivalent to 240 ECTS) without a MSc, please contact the research School directly.
For more information and to apply please visit our website (https://www.helmholtzresearchschool-epigenetics.org).
Enquiries can be made by email ([Email Address Removed])
Deadline for applications: 15th October 2021
Start date: 1st October 2022