Project Description

We are not alone when it comes to fighting off infections – our commensal gut microbiota very likely provides a protective effect against invading bacterial pathogens. Bifidobacterium are a foundational microbiota genus influencing microbial community dynamics and host immune development. Our group has been exploiting these properties to study Bifidobacterium as a health-promoting probiotic (1), while also investigating the physiological benefits of this commensal at early life stages, including during pregnancy (2).

Contrary to the support role of commensal microbiota, invasive pathogens have numerous strategies to evade the protective immune response of the host. Listeria monocytogenes is ‘professional intracellular pathogen’ and associated with significant foodborne outbreaks (3) and severe illness or death, as it is highly capable of causing systemic infections that spread from the gut to the blood, brain, or even foetus.

This project seeks to investigate the potentially dynamic relationship that occurs at host cells when presented with Bifidobacterium that are tuned to promote health, while also facing highly invasive Listeria that seek to counteract these defences. In this joint studentship between the Gilmour and Hall groups and the [Employer hidden], the student will have broad training opportunities on genome sequencing and the development of molecular biology tools for transposon mutagenesis – all to explore mechanisms underpinning these microbe-host responses. Following this, a tissue culture model will be used to study how Bifidobacteirum interacts with host epithelial and immune cells, and then in the presence of Listeria, how Bifidobacteirum may modulate the invasiveness of this pathogen.

The student will join a large community of microbiologists based at the [Employer hidden] in a brand new, purpose-built building that houses these advanced technologies. The [Employer hidden] is part of the Norwich Research Park – and the student will join a large cohort of graduate researchers with exceptional training opportunities.

For informal enquiries, please email [contact hidden] or [contact hidden].

Entry Requirements

• First or Upper Second-class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• Applicants with a Lower Second-class degree considered if they have a Master’s degree or significant research experience.
• English Language requirement: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category (or equivalent).

Funding

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NRPDTP) PhD studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees, a stipend of £15,609 per year, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year. Open to UK and international candidates.

How to Apply

Visit the application page for details. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on 25-27 January 2022.