Using live-cell imaging of the immune response to investigate host-pathogen interactions during infection.

My group is interested in the molecular and cellular mechanisms that occur during host-pathogen interactions. In particular, we study phagocytic cells of the innate immune system (macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells) in order to understand how it is that some pathogens are able to parasitise these white blood cells.

Our work focuses particularly on fatal human fungal pathogens, with a particular interest in Cryptococcus neoformans (and its close sibling species, C. gattii), a leading cause of death in immunocompromised patients worldwide. We are also interested in rarer, trauma-associated fungal infections and in the enigmatic eukaryotic pathogen Prototheca. We use a combination of cell biology, immunology and genetics to try and understand how these organisms can evade the human immune system.

We monitor immune cell behaviour via high-resolution live cell microscopy, using both tissue culture systems and in vivo work in zebrafish and murine models. In addition, we use genetic approaches (knockouts, transgenics, gene expression analysis and whole genome sequencing) to try and identify novel virulence factors in the pathogen. More information on the group is available at http://www.biosciences-labs.bham.ac.uk/may/Home.html.

If you are an enthusiastic scientist with an interest in host-pathogen interactions, looking for a PhD position to commence in October 2020, we would be happy to hear from you. A background in genetics, cell biology, microbiology or immunology would be helpful, but is not required. A keen and enthusiastic approach to science, together with the ability to take responsibility for your own project within a young, dynamic research team, is essential.

PhD funding is awarded on a competitive basis via Research Council Studentships and Darwin Studentships (all nationalities). Applicants should possess, or expect to be awarded, a high 2.1 or 1st class degree or equivalent.