Dr M Swain
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Please note this project description has been shortened.
For full details of this scholarship please visit: http://kess2.ac.uk/au30016/
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite which infects approximately one third of the world’s population. In otherwise healthy individuals, infection usually results in mild symptoms or is asymptomatic; however, severe, life-threatening disease can occur in the immunocompromised/immunodeficient and, if acquired during pregnancy may result in foetal abnormalities or death.
A recently described approach known as selective whole genome amplification (SWGA) has been successfully employed to specifically amplify Plasmodium spp. DNA directly from clinical blood samples (Cowell et al. 2017). The aim of this studentship is to develop SWGA for direct analysis of T. gondii from clinical samples. Bioinformatic computing will be used to design suitable SWGA primers and the technique used to analyse Toxoplasma DNA from clinical samples by WGS and PCR-RFLP. This will allow correlation of genomic data with accompanying clinical data to improve our understanding of the epidemiology, virulence and other traits of this important human pathogen.
This exciting interdisciplinary project will require the successful applicant to develop both bioinformatics and related wet-lab techniques. The student will work alongside both TRU and Aberystwyth University researchers developing these novel methods that will underpin studies into aspects of this important disease such as the epidemiology, virulence, and drug resistance, enabling the identification of biomarkers that will aid diagnostics and treatment.
The proposed PhD studentship will incorporate the following major steps:
1. Bioinformatics analysis of publicly available T. gondii and human genome sequences to identify potential SWGA priming motifs.
2. Development and validation of T. gondii SWGA using standard/characterised isolates –comparing relative template levels using real-time PCR followed by evaluation of templates for WGS and PCR-RFLP.
3. Application of SWGA to human clinical samples to generate new whole genome sequences.
4. Bioinformatics analysis of sequences from human clinical samples and correlation with clinical information such as disease presentation and severity.
Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS 2) is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys. The successful candidate will need to be resident in the convergence area on registration, and must have the right to work in the region on qualification.
The successful applicant should have a minimum of a 1st or good 2:1 in a relevant degree, a keen interest in interdisciplinary work involving both computational and experimental approaches to the life sciences, and be available to take up the studentship by 1st October 2017. The project is part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Government. KESS II PhD scholarships are collaborative awards with external partners. (Applicants need to only apply, they do not need to search for partners).
To apply, please submit the following to the Postgraduate Admissions Office (address below) by 1st September 2017.
1. A completed Research Programme Application Form, two references. Application and reference forms may be downloaded from http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/howtoapply/
2. A completed KESS II Participant proposal form (put the reference number AU30016 in the top right hand box of the application form) and an up-to-date CV. KESS II application forms are available to download at the link below.
http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/rbi/staff-students/knowledge-economy-skills-scholarships/currentscholarshipvacanciesandapplicationforms/
3. A PhD proposal of up to 1,000 words where you expand on your experience and interests and describe why you are a good candidate for this research studentship. Please refer to the Project Description.
Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Martin Swain at [Email Address Removed] or 01970 622296
Address for applications:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Recruitment & Admissions
Student Welcome Centre
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth
SY23 3FB
Quote Reference AU30016
Closing date for applications 1st September 2017
Funding Notes
Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS 2) is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.
Due to ESF funding, eligibility restrictions apply to this scholarship. To be eligible, the successful candidate will need to be resident in the Convergence Area of Wales on University registration, and must have the right to work in the region on qualification.
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