About the Project
The outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria are lipid bilayers. They consist of a phospholipid inner leaflet and a lipopolysaccharide outer leaflet with two major classes of protein: -barrel proteins (OMPs) and peripheral lipoproteins. These four major components provide an interface between the bacterium and its environment; they work in concert to protect the organism from noxious substances while permitting the selective uptake of nutrients; indeed they are responsible for conferring on most Gram0negative bacteria innate resistance to antibiotics. To survive bacteria must produce all four components in a coordinated manner and must be able to adjust their relative quantities in response to environmental conditions. Many of the genes required for the synthesis of the outer membrane are essential for viability and many of these have been characterised by various groups including our laboratory. However, Gram-negative bacteria also require outer membrane components that are not essential for standard laboratory growth but are required for maintain the integrity of the outer membrane. The majority of these components are not well understood.
The objectives of the project can be shaped by the interests of the student. The project can include cutting edge functional genomics approaches, structural biology and molecular microbiology to dissect mechanisms involved in maintenance of outer membrane stability, synthesis and assembly in Gram-negative bacteria.
At the University of Birmingham, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, you will be part of a vibrant and lively postgraduate community and one of the world-leading institutes for microbiological and infectious disease research.
Person Specification
If you are an enthusiastic scientist with an interest in host-pathogen interactions, looking for a PhD position, we would be happy to hear from you. A background in immunology, microbiology or molecular genetics would be helpful. An enthusiastic approach to science, together with the ability to take ownership of your own project within a young, dynamic research team, is essential. You should have a commitment to academic research and hold or realistically expect to obtain at least an Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject.
How to apply
Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof. Ian Henderson
Applications should be directed to Ian Henderson (email [Email Address Removed]). To apply, please send:
• A detailed CV, including your nationality and country of birth;
• Names and addresses of two referees;
• A covering letter highlighting your research experience/capabilities;
• Copies of your degree certificates with transcripts;
• Evidence of your proficiency in the English language, if applicable;
• All applicants should indicate in their applications how they intend to fund their studies.
Funding notes:
We have a thriving community of international PhD students and encourage applications at any time from students able to find their own funding or who wish to apply for their own funding (e.g. Commonwealth Scholarship, Islamic Development Bank).
The Institute of Microbiology and Infection offers a number of UK Research Council (http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/; http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/mds-graduate-school/scholarships/mrc-impact/index.aspx) PhD studentships each year and studentships funded by Wellcome (http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/mds-graduate-school/wellcome-aamr/index.aspx; http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/mds-graduate-school/scholarships/wellcome.aspx). Fully-funded research council studentships are normally only available to UK nationals (or EU nationals resident in the UK) but part-funded studentships may be available to EU applicants resident outside of the UK. The deadline for applications for research council and Wellcome studentships is in January each year.
Each year we also have a number of fully funded Darwin Trust Scholarships (http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding/darwin-studentships.aspx). These are provided by the Darwin Trust of Edinburgh and are for non-UK students wishing to undertake a PhD in the general area of Molecular Microbiology. The deadline for this scheme is also in January each year.
Please note the only funding available for this PhD is via the Scholarships mentioned.
References
Browning DF, Bavro VN, Mason JL, Sevastsyanovich YR, Rossiter AE, Jeeves M, Wells TJ, Knowles TJ, Cunningham AF, Donald JW, Palmer T, Overduin M, Henderson IR. Cross-species chimeras reveal BamA POTRA and β-barrel domains must be fine-tuned for efficient OMP insertion. Mol Microbiol. 2015 97:646-59
Knowles TJ, Browning DF, Jeeves M, Maderbocus R, Rajesh S, Sridhar P, Manoli E, Emery D, Sommer U, Spencer A, Leyton DL, Squire D, Chaudhuri RR, Viant MR, Cunningham AF, Henderson IR, Overduin M.Structure and function of BamE within the outer membrane and the β-barrel assembly machine. EMBO Rep. 2011 12:123-8
Knowles TJ, Jeeves M, Bobat S, Dancea F, McClelland D, Palmer T, Overduin M, Henderson IR. Fold and function of polypeptide transport-associated domains responsible for delivering unfolded proteins to membranes. Mol Microbiol. 2008 68:1216-27.
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