Biomedicines from the hidden animal world: The microbiome and immune system of micro-metazoans and the potential for antimicrobial discovery – University of Plymouth

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1 October 2024.

Project Description

Nematodes, rotifers and tardigrades are microscopic animals with some very unusual biological characteristics which allow some of them to survive extreme stresses, including complete desiccation (anhydrobiosis), radiations and extreme temperatures. To survive, they use several molecular mechanisms, including DNA protection and repair, antioxidants and other protective molecules. These fascinating animals have also evolved to live in environments teeming with micro-organisms, but the interaction between these two types of organism is not fully understood. This project will investigate the innate immune response of micrometazoans during bacterial infection, including an exploration of the role of antimicrobial peptides, small peptides that specifically target and inhibit bacterial growth. The project will also investigate the microbiome of micrometazoans: members of the stable microbiome may also secrete antimicrobial compounds to regulate the growth of other competing bacteria, providing a further source of antimicrobial candidates. These topics will be investigated using both lab-based and bioinformatics approaches and antimicrobial discovery pipelines.

This is an exciting exploratory project that will involve the development of novel methods and requires both bioinformatics and lab skills. The appointed candidate will be required to work independently and show initiative during the PhD. Desirable skills include previous experience working with micro-metazoans such as nematodes, rotifers and/or tardigrades, microbiology, molecular biology and other lab skills (including, but not limited to, PCR, RT-qPCR, western blotting and microscopy), antimicrobial discovery and characterisation, experience in bioinformatics and/or coding.

Supervisors

• DoS: Dr Matthew Banton (matthew.banton@plymouth.ac.uk)
• 2^nd Supervisor: Dr Chiara Boschetti (chiara.boschetti@plymouth.ac.uk)
• 3^rd Supervisor: Professor Mathew Upton (mathew.upton@plymouth.ac.uk)

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject or a relevant Masters qualification.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent.

The studentship is supported for 3 years and includes full home tuition fees plus a stipend of £18,110 per annum 2023/24 rate (2024/25 rate TBC). The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates (approximately £13,244 per annum 2024/25 rate).

NB: The studentship is supported for three years of the four-year registration period. The fourth year is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ year.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Matthew Banton, matthew.banton@plymouth.ac.uk.

To apply for this position please visit our website.

Please clearly state the name of the studentship that you are applying for on the top of your personal statement.

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our How to Apply for a Research Degree webpage or contact the research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications on 22^nd April 2024. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.