How does Mycobacterium tuberculosis stay energised in its persistent state?

A PhD position is available to work with Dr Chris Greening at the School of Biological Sciences, Monash University. We are looking to recruit motivated and talented students with an interest in medical microbiology. With cutting-edge interdisciplinary projects, excellent resources, and a strong publication focus, the Greening Lab provides excellent opportunities for all its students. To learn more, visit greeninglab.com

Project details:
Tuberculosis (TB) causes more deaths annually than any other infectious disease and latently infects a third of the world’s population. A major barrier to the disease’s treatment is the capacity for its causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, to persist in host tissues. This contributes to the difficulty in clearing TB infections and the development of antibiotic resistance due to fractional killing. Improved treatment of TB depends on understanding and targeting the mechanisms that facilitate persistence. To achieve this, we study how the pathogen generates energy in its persistent state.

Your research will focus on understanding the physiological role of a redox cofactor synthesized by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We have shown that this cofactor, F420, is critical for energy generation and drug resistance of environmental mycobacteria in their persistent state. However, its role in the pathogen remains incompletely defined. You will generate knockouts of the biosynthesis genes for this cofactor in an avirulent strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. You will subsequently use cutting-edge physiological and pharmacological approaches to investigate how loss of these genes affects the fitness, metabolic pathways, and antimicrobial susceptibility of the pathogen. The ultimate goal is to validate that this cofactor is an excellent drug target for next-generation TB treatments.

Scholarship details:
The Greening Lab has a fully-funded scholarship available for domestic and international students interested in doing a PhD. The 3.5 year award includes all course fees and a $27,353 AUD per year tax-free stipend, with a top-up up to $3,000 AUD for top-ranked candidates. Additional expenses for relocation, publication writing, and conference attendance will also be covered. Additionally for international students, our tuition scholarships cover the cost of tuition fees (normally $38,900 per year) and includes the cost of compulsory Overseas Student Health Cover. Research course fees for Australian or New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents are automatically covered under the Australian Research Training Scheme. Consumables will be covered by a grant from the National Health & Medical Research Council. Day-to-day lab support will be provided by a postdoctoral fellow and research assistant.

Monash and the School of Biological Sciences:
Monash is a member of the Group of Eight, a coalition of top Australian universities recognized for their excellence in teaching and research. The School of Biological Sciences is a dynamic unit with strengths in genetics, physiology and evolutionary biology, and the nexus between these disciplines (monash.edu/science/about/schools/biological-sciences/). The University is located in Melbourne, one of the most liveable cities in the world and a cultural and recreational hub.

Application requirements:
Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s or equivalent degree with first-class Honours, MSc or MPhil degree in a relevant subject (e.g. biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, chemistry). All applicants must be able to demonstrate a capacity to carry out independent research and have adequate training and ability to pursue the proposed course of study. Applicants must possess a MSc (research) or BSc or equivalent degree including a research project of at least 6 months full time (or equivalent) duration. Sound English language skills are also required for academic programs: IELTS/TOEFL test 7.0 no band less than 6.5. TOEFL (internet based score) 79+: 21 written, 13 reading, 18 speaking, and 12 listening.

Application process:
Interested candidates should send their CV, academic transcript, and a brief outline of research interests and motivation to [Email Address Removed] To be eligible for the next scholarships round, expressions of interest need to be received before July 1 2018. Review of applications will begin immediately and short-listed candidates will be asked for more information and invited to interview. Only those who are short-listed will be contacted.