Dr Jorge Amich, Prof E Bignell, Prof David Denning
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Infectious diseases caused by fungi are a worldwide problem causing many more deaths than malaria and as many as tuberculosis [1]. Azole drugs are the only orally available anti-mould agents and resistance to these drugs is increasing, possibly due to their use as agricultural fungicides [2]. There is therefore a desperate need to develop new antifungal treatments. The major fungal pathogen in the air we breathe is called Aspergillus fumigatus and people affected by cancer, or requiring organ or stem cell transplants, are at risk of fatal infections caused by it [3]. We have previously demonstrated that proper regulation of sulphur metabolism and particular S-related processes are essential for A. fumigatus capacity to grow within the tissue and thus to cause disease [4]. In this project we will use state-of-the-art transcriptomics to investigate the fungal sulphur metabolic status during infection of both murine and human lungs. Deciphering the actual in vivo metabolic status will allow to identify pathways and gene products which are required for virulence, as we will further corroborate using classical genetics, cell culture and murine models of infection.
Manchester Fungal Infection Group: http://research.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/mfig
Jorge Amich. http://research.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/mfig/aboutus/#amich
Elaine Bignell: http://research.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/mfig/aboutus/#bignell
David Denning: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/mhs/David.denning/
Funding Notes
This project is to be funded under the MRC Doctoral Training Partnership. If you are interested in this project, please make direct contact with the Principal Supervisor to arrange to discuss the project further as soon as possible. You MUST also submit an online application form - full details on how to apply can be found on the MRC DTP website www.manchester.ac.uk/mrcdtpstudentships
Applications are invited from UK/EU nationals only. Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, at least an upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
References
1] Brown GD, Denning DW, Gow NA, Levitz SM, Netea MG, White TC. Hidden Killers: Human Fungal Infections Sci Trans Med. 2012 4:165
[2] Snelders E, Camps SM, Karawajczyk A, Schaftenaar G, Kema GH, van der Lee HA, Klaassen CH, Melchers WJ, Verweij PE. Triazole Fungicides Can Induce Cross-Resistance to Medical Triazoles in Aspergillus fumigatus PLoS One. 2012 7:e31801
[3] Zmeili OS, Soubani AO. Pulmonary aspergillosis: A clinical update QJM. 2007 100:317-34
[4] Amich, J., Schafferer, L., Haas, H., Krappmann S. Regulation of Sulphur Assimilation Is Essential for Virulence and Affects Iron Homeostasis of the Human-Pathogenic Mould Aspergillus fumigatus. PLoS Pathog. 2013; 9(8):e1003573.