PhD studentships in a collaborative project "Tackling Mycobacterium abscessus
infection in Cystic Fibrosis"
http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/3954/
(see "Position 3" for the structural biology project)
The Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, University of Cambridge, are
pleased to offer 3 PhD studentships, funded by a Strategic Research Centre Award
from The Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Trust UK, to start in October 2014 or January
2015. The area of research will be the study of the rapid growing nontuberculous
mycobacterium (NTM) Mycobacterium abscessus, which has emerged as a major threat
to individuals with CF, focusing on understanding pathogenesis (through cell
biology and population-based whole genome sequencing) and developing novel
therapeutics (through Fragment-Based Drug Development).
We invite applications from highly motivated, enthusiastic individuals for these
studentships leading to PhDs in the University of Cambridge. We anticipate that
the students will work closely together and have the opportunity to develop a
broad range of expertise across the projects.
Position 1
Supervised by Dr Andres Floto, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research/
Department of Medicine, and Professor Julian Parkhill, Wellcome Trust Sanger
Institute.
The student will use cell and molecular biology techniques to understand how
macrophages interact with M. abscessus, define novel genetic determinants
(informed through whole genome sequencing) regulating host restriction and
mycobacterial virulence and identify novel therapeutics to stimulate autophagic
killing.
Position 2
Supervised by Professor Julian Parkhill, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, and Dr
Andres Floto, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research/ Department of Medicine
The student will use large-scale population-level genomics on local and global
M. abscessus populations to identify emerging and transmitting clones, and
predict determinants of virulence and transmissibility that can be tested in the
in vitro and in vivo models. Building on our recent identification of
patient-to-patient transmission and the emergence of dominant clones, the
student will use phylogenetic analyses to investigate the adaption of M.
abscessus to survival in the CF lung, and to transmission between hosts.
Position 3
Supervised by Professor Sir Tom Blundell and Dr Marko Hyvonen, Department of
Biochemistry
The student will use fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) approach involving (i)
expression and characterisation of protein targets, (ii) use of a cascade of
biophysical techniques, followed by protein X-ray crystallography to define the
3D structures of the complexes, and (iii) knowledge of fragment binding to
target proteins to select commercially available compounds that would likely
give rise to higher affinities (SAR-by-catalogue). Once a sufficiently potent
molecule has been developed, it efficacy will be tested in cellular assays.
Queries should be made to Dr Andres Floto (ar...@cam.ac.uk) (Position 1), Prof.
Julian Parkhill (parkh...@sanger.ac.uk) (Position 2), Prof. Sir Tom Blundell
(tl...@cam.ac.uk) and Dr Marko Hyvonen (mh...@cam.ac.uk) (Position 3).
Candidates will be expected to have a strong CV having completed, or about to
complete, a degree relevant to cell biology, microbiology, bioinformatics or
structural biology but we shall consider all suitably qualified applicants.
The funding for UK/EU nationals covers stipend, University Composition fees and
College fees for 3 years, with the potential for an extension to a fourth year.
Overseas applicants are eligible to apply, but would be required to self-fund
the cost difference of University Composition fees for overseas students
compared with UK/EU students (approximately £15,700 per year for 3 years).
Applications should be sent as a single pdf document and should include a
curriculum vitae and contact details (including email addresses) of two academic
referees, together with a single page outline of why the applicant wishes to
apply for , this studentship programme. Applications should be sent by email to
cf-...@bioc.cam.ac.uk, with a subject line indicating which position the
application is for.
Application deadline: 28th June 2014. Short-listed applicants will be invited to
interview.
PhD expected start date: 01 October 2014 or January 2015
--
Marko Hyvonen
Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge
mh...@cam.ac.uk
http://www-cryst.bioc.cam.ac.uk/groups/hyvonen
tel: +44-(0)1223-766 044
