Prof A Suhrbier, Dr N Prow
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
On 1 Feb 2016, the WHO declared the recent Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This emerging, primarily mosquito-transmitted, flavivirus is now believed to be the cause of the unprecedented rise in congenital neurological abnormalities in neonates (primarily microcephaly), particularly evident in Brazil. Viral infection of foetal neuronal tissue is believed to play a key role in pathogenesis, and requires transplacental transmission of the virus. The placenta has several lines of defence against viral infections, including the physical barrier of the multinuclear syncytium and a range of innate and adaptive immune responses. How the placenta responds to ZIKV and how ZIKV overcomes these trophoblastic defences remains largely unexplored, and represents a primary research objective of the lab. This project will aim to establishe and characterise a non-lethal mouse pregnancy model for placental and foetal ZIKV infection studies. This model will provide an invaluable tool for ZIKV research. Partial validation of this model using human data will add significantly to the value of such a model. This model is essential for downstream testing of potential vaccine candidates and interventions for this emerging virus of international importance.
Please contact the supervisor directly to discuss the project before applying for the scholarship, provide an academic CV and degree transcripts.
For further information on this research group:http://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/lab/inflammation-biology/
Funding Notes
QIMR Berghofer is offering a limited number of PhD Scholarships for top applicants. For details, eligibility criteria and to apply: http://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/students/university-students/phd-scholarships/international-phd-scholarship/