Skip to Content

Understanding species-specific differences in mucosal immunity against emerging viral infections

School of Biological Sciences | PHD

Applications are now CLOSED
Funding
Funded
Reference Number
SBIO-2020-1233
Application Deadline
3 March 2023
Start Date
1 October 2023

Overview

Exemplified by COVID-19, there remains an unmet need to safeguard human and animal health against emerging diseases. Through a “one-health” approach, you will investigate the diverse molecular strategies mammals use to control antiviral immunity in the lung, to develop next-generation antivirals and vaccines against emerging viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2.

The unpredictable emergence of novel pathogenic viruses (e.g. coronaviruses and influenza viruses) imposes a significant burden on human and animal health worldwide, with economic and societal implications. New ways to defend against such threats are desperately needed. Immunity to viruses is controlled by the “interferon” (IFNs) cell signalling system. The type III IFNs (IFN-Lambdas) provide specialised protection to mucosal tissues like the respiratory tract targeted by emerging viruses. However, successful pathogens suppress these defences, meaning that enhancing IFN activity is necessary. Preventing its improvement, our knowledge of IFN-Lambda mucosal immunity remains poor, especially for non-human animals.

We propose that understanding the diversity of the IFN-Lambda system in mammals will identify ways to improve its antiviral activity. In this project, we will reveal how evolution has shaped mammalian mucosal antiviral immunity in the face of infections. You will combine cutting-edge computational and wet-lab approaches, using comparative evolutionary biology, cell and cytokine engineering, and molecular virology, to further our fundamental understanding of antiviral immunity. You will establish a novel translational approach to engineer next generation, “evolutionary inspired”, interventions for human and veterinary medicine.

This project asks three questions:

What is the genetic diversity of mammalian IFN defence systems, and how have they evolved in concert with each other and pathogens?

Do the observed genetic differences in IFN systems result in phenotypic differences in antiviral immunity in engineered human and animal cells?

How do emerging viruses manipulate and suppress IFN system genes from different mammals?

This is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and hard-working candidate, suiting individuals with interests in fundamental or translational aspects of both human or animal microbiology, immunology, or evolutionary biology. You will gain specific training in molecular biology, innate immunology, and virology. You will integrate into the recently established “Bamford Antiviral Immunity Lab” in the heart of Belfast at the School of Biological Sciences/Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, working in close collaboration with veterinary colleagues at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).

This project will be supervised by Dr Connor Bamford and Professor John McGrath (Queen's University School of Biological Sciences) and Dr Ken Lemon (AFBI).

Start Date: 1 October 2023

Duration: 3 years full-time

How to apply: Applicants must be submitted via: https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/user/u_login.php

Funding Information

This studentship is funded by the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy (DfE).
Candidates must be normally resident in the UK for the three year period prior to 1 September 2023. For non-EU nationals, the main purpose of residence must not have been to receive full-time education. Non-UK or Irish nationals must also have pre-settled or settled status (EU nationals) or settled status (non-EU nationals).
However, for this project, it may be possible for an exceptional International candidate to be considered for funding if they do not meet the DfE eligibility criteria.
Full eligibility criteria: https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/economy/Postgraduate-Studentships-Terms-Conditions-2022-23.pdf

Project Summary
Supervisor

Dr Connor Bamford

Research Profile


Mode of Study

Full-time: 3 years


Funding Body
DfE
Apply now Register your interest