Virus antigenic evolution under immune pressure

About the Project

The persistent evasion of COVID-19 from vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapeutics underscores the critical need to comprehend how endemic and zoonotic viruses evolve to counter antibody-mediated immune responses. This project aims to characterize existing and potential future virus diversity, identifying vaccines and therapeutics capable of outpacing the evolving pathogen. Utilizing pseudovirus variant libraries, we seek to pinpoint variants that can escape immune pressure while maintaining fitness. Next, antibody-based therapeutics effective against such escape variants will be identified using various antibody discovery approaches, including novel methods of microfluidic-based functional antibody discovery, as well as more traditional antigen-based sorting of primary memory B cell repertoires. This research will take place at the A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs, which offers a multidisciplinary environment with expertise in virus biology, antibody biology, and droplet microfluidic bioassays. The laboratory is situated in Singapore. Further details about the laboratory can be found at: https://www.antimicrobialbiologicslaboratory.com/ and https://www.a-star.edu.sg/idlabs/about-us/people/our-investigators/matthew-tay

Student experience

This studentship leverages cutting-edge technology alongside world-class equipment and facilities, providing a unique opportunity for students to engage in highly translational and impactful research aimed at safeguarding our world against future pandemics.

Through the work, the student will master a multitude of wet and dry lab techniques, including molecular biology, virus culture, antibody discovery, and bioinformatic analysis pipelines using Python.

Research Environment

The research outlined will be carried out at the A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs, a research institute in the Agency of Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore. A*STAR drives mission-oriented research that advances scientific discovery and technological innovation. Collaboration opportunities with various research institutes within ASTAR provide students access to cutting-edge facilities across myriad disciplines. The PhD will be undertaken in tandem with a co-supervisor from either the National University of Singapore or the Nanyang Technological University, both globally ranked among the top 30 universities. The respective university will confer the PhD.

Applications

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications, consisting of a CV and cover letter. The cover letter should detail the applicant's interest in the studentship, related experience, training, and suitability for the position. The laboratory is also accepting applications for internship students, who will be able to assess their fit with the laboratory and environment before committing to the 4-year PhD programme. Please send applications to: matthew_tay@idlabs.a-star.edu.sg.