PhD Studentship in Cell and Molecular Biosciences - Exploring the role of the human microbiota in promoting resistance to pathogenic fungi

Start date and duration:
25 September 2017 for 3 years.

Application closing date:
Applications will be considered until a suitable candidate is found.

Overview:
Candida albicans is a major human fungal pathogen, which can reside in the human gut as a commensal organism. However, in immunocompromised patients C. albicans (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25567280) can penetrate the gut barrier, resulting in systemic infections. Recently, we have uncovered a mechanism by which some gut bacteria (Bacteroides), can degrade the complex carbohydrates of the cell-wall of C. albicans https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25567280. These cell-wall glycans are critical for the virulence of C. albicans, and are also the major fungal-specific determinants which are recognised by the innate immune system.

We hypothesise that fungal cell-wall degradation in the gut limits C. albicans colonisation, and this project, led by Dr Elisabeth Lowe in collaboration with Professor Jan Quinn, will examine how this occurs. You will define the fungal response to cell-wall degradation, by examining morphological changes, dissecting signalling pathways and investigating cell wall structure, then determine the effect of these changes on the ability of host immune cells to recognise and respond to this major fungal pathogen. This project will pave the way for informed probiotic strategies to lower fungal burdens in susceptible patients.

Sponsor:
Newcastle University (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/)

Name of supervisor(s):
Dr Elisabeth Lowe (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/cbcb/staff/profile/elisabeth.lowe) and Professor Jan Quinn (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/camb/staff/profile/janetquinn.html#background), Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University.

Eligibility Criteria:
You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree in biomedicine, biochemistry, microbiology or a related area. A further qualification such as an MSc or MRes is advantageous.

This award is available to UK/EU and international applicants. If English is not your first language, you must have IELTS 7 with at least 6.5 in the written component, or equivalent.

How to apply:
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/). To do this please ‘Create a new account’. Only mandatory fields need to be completed. However, you will need to include the following information:
•insert the programme code 8300F in the programme of study section
•select ‘PhD in the Faculty of Medical Sciences – Cell and Molecular Biosciences’ as the programme of study
•insert the studentship code CB128 in the studentship/partnership reference field
•attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship and supervisor, quote the studentship reference code CB128 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
•attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.