About the Project
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), caused by the FMD virus is an important pathogen which affects certain ruminant and cloven-hoofed animals. Two peculiar features characterize the pathogenesis of FMD. The first is the presence of persistently infected or carrier animals, especially bovine species, from which live FMD virus can be detected for periods of time (years) after infection. The second is the short-term duration of immunity after FMD vaccination in livestock, which contrasts with prolonged immunity and protective antibody titres induced by natural infection.
Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) are a unique population of stromal cells within the germinal centres of lymphoid tissues. These cells trap and retain native antigens on their surfaces to promote antigen-specific B cell responses. The Viral Immunology group led by Dr. Bryan Charleston at the Pirbright Institute in collaboration with Professor Neil Mabbott from the Roslin Institute (Univ. Edinburgh) have contributed to the understanding of the mechanisms by which the FMD virus carrier state is established. Certain pathogens such as prions and HIV exploit the antigen-retention properties of FDC to establish host infection. We have also shown that FDC trap and maintain FMD virus in cattle, as well as in mouse when used as a model of FMD pathogenesis. Moreover, we have also demonstrated that the persistence of FMD virus antigen in the FDC is the precursor of the generation and the maintenance of a humoral immune response after FMD virus infection. The aim of this studentship is to characterize the role of FDC in the generation and maintenance of a protective immune response following vaccination against FMD virus. Data from this project will contribute to the design of novel vaccines which induce long lasting, protective antibody responses against FMD virus.
Funding: This project is eligible for a University of Edinburgh 3year PhD studentship or Principal’s Career Development Studentship. ( http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/student-funding/postgraduate/uk-eu/university-scholarships/development)
International students should also apply for an Edinburgh Global Research Studentship (http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/student-funding/postgraduate/international/global/research).
Applications including a statement of interest and full CV with names and addresses (including email addresses) of two academic referees, should be sent to: Liz Archibald, The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG or emailed to [Email Address Removed].
When applying for the studentship please state clearly the title of the studentship and the supervisor/s in your covering letter.
All applicants should also apply through the University’s on-line application system for September 2017 entry via http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&id=832
Applicants for the Principal’s career development studentship must also complete the specific on-line application form at http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/student-funding/postgraduate/uk-eu/university-scholarships/development
References
1: Habiela M, Seago S, Perez-Martin E, Waters R, King D, Windsor M, Bodes FJ, Wood J, Charleston B, Juleff N. Laboratory animal models to study foot-and-mouth disease: a review with emphasis on natural and vaccine induced immunity. J Gen. Virol. 2014 95:2329-45.
2: Maree F, de Klerk-Lorist LM, Gubbins S, Cortey M, Zhang F, Seago J, Perez-Martin E, Reid L, Scott K, van Schalkwyk L, Cooper D, Bengis R, Charleston B, Juleff N. Differential persistence of foot-and-mouth disease virus in African buffalo is related to virus virulence. J. Virol. 2016 90:5132-5140
3: McCulloch L, Brown KL, Bradford BM, Hopkins J, Bailey M, Rajewsky K, Manson JC, Mabbott NA. Follicular dendritic cell-specific prion protein (PrP) expression alone is sufficient to sustain prion infection in the spleen. PLoS Pathogens 2011 7:e1002402.
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