About the Project
The respiratory tract is a major portal of virus entry for many clinically important human viruses, including seasonal and pandemic influenza virus. While humans have evolved multiple host defence mechanisms to protect against respiratory infection, these defences can fail leading to the establishment of infection, disease, and aerosolized transmission to new hosts. Consequently, respiratory viruses represent a major clinical health burden that cause significant morbidity, mortality, and socio-economic impact on a global scale. While extensive immuno-therapeutic and -biological studies have been conducted in traditional laboratory-adapted cell culture systems, these models are not representative of the complex environment in which respiratory viruses replicate and poorly recapitulate many aspects relating to host antiviral immunity. Thus, new model systems are urgently required to support the development of antiviral treatments to limit the severity and disease burden associated with respiratory viral infections.
This PhD studentship aims to establish a cost-effective cell culture system that recapitulates the natural physiology of respiratory cells and human airway tissue using state of the art 2D and 3D model systems. These models will be evaluated using high-resolution imaging and next generation sequencing for their ability to support the replication of naturally circulating and live-attenuated influenza virus strains used for vaccine production and vaccine efficacy studies. Once established, CRISPR/CAS9 genome editing techniques will be employed to identify immunological factors and pathways that influence the severity and outcome of influenza virus infection in laboratory grown airway tissue.
This Industiral Partnership PhD (IPP) studentship in cutting-edge infectious disease research combines the experience and expertise of academic (Boutell/Hutchinson groups, MRC-UoG CVR) and industry (MedImmune) research sectors, addressing the need for more physiologically relevant model systems in the development and testing of live-attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) vaccines. This competitively funded PhD studentship provides an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated individual seeking to develop translational research skills applicable to both academia and industry, with access to specialist equipment and knowledge not found in individual host institutions or laboratories. Outputs from this project will support the development of novel methodologies relevant to the study of a wide range of respiratory viruses, immuno-biology research, and the development of improved antiviral therapies and vaccines.
Partners:
"The discoveries and therapies of the future are only possible if we nurture our promising talent in the present" - Massimo Palmarini, CVR Director
The CVR is based in the vibrant research community of the University of Glasgow and is the largest dedicated virology centre in the UK, bringing together investigators and scientists with a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise. Nurturing the next generation of virology researchers is a key mission statement of the CVR. We have therefore created a specialized PhD programme to include an intensive training course to support the development of the next generation of world leaders in virology research. This course aims to ensure that all students have a fundamental understanding of modern virology and consists of lectures, seminars, and practical tutorials delivered by leading virologists from the University of Glasgow.
MedImmune is the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca. MedImmune is one of the world’s premier biotechnology companies and our mission is centered on delivering life-changing products that advance world health and cure disease. This IPP studentship will be performed in collaboration with the MedImmune/AstraZeneca Liverpool site, involved in the development and manufacture of Flumist / Fluenz, the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) that is used every year in National Immunisation Programs to vaccinate children. This PhD will help provide MedImmune with in vitro tools to accurately predict the best Influenza strain candidates for inclusion in the annual vaccine and to improve vaccine effectiveness, ultimately helping to save lives.
Annual stipend: £17,000
Start date negotiable: January/February 2019. Duration: 3.5 years
Interview: 10th/11th December
Interview Process
Following selection for interviews, you will be invited to come to Glasgow to visit the CVR on either 10th or 11th December 2018 for a panel interview. Reasonable travel and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed. Please be available on these dates.
Whilst at the CVR, time will be spent visiting the laboratories, meeting CVR and MedImmune group leaders, and current CVR PhD students (and being interviewed!). If you receive an offer, we will ask you to decide to join the CVR within a reasonable and negotiable timeframe (according to your circumstances) at the beginning of 2019.
Any questions about the IPP studentship or eligibility requirements should be directed to [Email Address Removed] or [Email Address Removed]
Funding Notes
There are strict eligibility criteria for this IPP PhD studentship. Students from the UK (UK passport holders) are eligible. EU students (EU citizens) are eligible for this programme if they have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the three years (continuously) prior to the start of the studentship (commencing the first week in January 2018). We will consider any UK graduate (meeting the residency requirements above) with a minimum 2:1 BSc degree usually in a biological discipline. Previous laboratory experience in virology and/or molecular biology is advantageous.
Unfortunately, we cannot consider citizens from outside the EU for this studentship.
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