PhD Research Project: Using super-resolution microscopy to understand the intracellular fate of Sta

Staphylococcus aureus is a highly successful pathogen that can circumvent many aspects of immunity. Neutrophils, the most abundant of our white blood cells, are a critical defence against infection and yet S. aureus is able to render them ineffective. S. aureus does this by rupturing an intracellular neutrophil compartment known as the phagolysosome, which is where bacteria are normally contained and killed. Escape from the inhospitable phagolysosome allows S. aureus to replicate inside the neutrophil cytosol, eventually bursting the neutrophil open and becoming free to cause infection elsewhere.

This project will use super-resolution and confocal microscopy techniques to determine how S. aureus disables the immune response in this way, observing interactions of S. aureus with subcellular components of human neutrophils on a molecular level, visualising early sub-cellular trafficking of the bacteria, interactions with endogenous microbicidal factors, phagosome lysis and escape on a molecular level. The candidate will use a range of fluorescent labelling techniques to visualise the interactions of S. aureus with subcellular components of human neutrophils on a molecular level. We will take forward key observations into in vivo models of infection in zebrafish larvae, which allow us image interactions of S. aureus with neutrophils in a living organism.

The ultimate aim of this project is to identify ways of preventing escape of S. aureus from the phagosome, in order to improve the host defence against this multi-drug resistant and life-threatening microorganism.

This project is embedded within The SHIELD Consortium, a Medical Research Council funded, multi-centre research initiative to combat anti-microbial resistance. The student will also be a member of the University of Sheffield Florey Institute, led by world-class academic researchers and clinicians with the common aim of understanding host interactions with important human pathogens. This fully funded project includes overseas fees and is therefore open to international students.

Entry Requirements

Candidates must have a first or upper second class honors degree.

How to apply

Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form and attach at least two references to your application.
Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select ‘Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease (IICD)’ as the department.
 

Funding Notes

This fully funded project includes UK, EU and overseas fees and is therefore open to international students. RCUK rate stipend for three years