Identification of drug targets in the pathogen causing amoebic gill disease (AGD) in Atlantic salmon

Amoebic Gill Disease (AGD) can affect commercially important species of fish, including Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and it is increasingly a concern for fish farmers in Scotland and Norway as it impacts on the health and welfare of stocks. Effective treatment is challenging and no single therapeutic approach provides a complete solution. Research aiming to improve this situation is focussing on vaccine development and the introduction of new chemotherapeutants, but these efforts are hindered by limited knowledge available on this microorganism and its biology. Therefore, the overarching aim of this proposed project is to identify putative targets in the pathogen that will inform the rational development of effective therapeutants. This aim will be achieved through the following objectives: i) identification of metabolic pathways and other relevant knowledge of this and other pathogenic amoeba species; ii) identification of existing compounds known to target and inhibit these pathways.

The successful candidate should have, or expect to have, an Honours Degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

Start date:
As soon as possible.

Supervisors:
Dr Andrew Desbois (and Prof. James Bron)

How to apply:
Informal inquiries can be made to Dr Andrew Desbois ([Email Address Removed]) with a curriculum vitae.