Using innovative microfluid technology to study infection dynamics in human lungs

Lung infections and diseases pose significant challenges to global health, impacting millions of individuals worldwide. Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, Pneumocystis, and endemic fungi are major pulmonary fungal pathogens that can result in life-threatening invasive diseases in immuno-compromised patients. For instance, the annual incidence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is >1.8 millions, with about 340 thousand deaths. Only four classes of antifungals are currently available and treatment failure is common due to drug resistance and adverse effects in patients. Therefore there is a growing need to understand better how fungal pathogens infect human lungs and to develop novel antifungal treatments, using biological models representative of human respiratory infection.

Animal models (ie. rodents) are often used to understand better the physiopathology of fungal infection and testing new therapeutic approaches. However, besides the significant differences in rodent respiratory tract compared to humans, there is a rising concern about the animal welfare in these infection models (i.e., induced disease and severe adverse effects of untested drugs). 

Research Environment

The student will work across multiple labs as part of an interdisciplinary team gaining knowledge and experience of leukaemia biology as well as advanced molecular techniques. The labs are well funded through the Lister Institute Research Prize Fellowship to John Knight and the Oglesby Leukaemia Research Funding to Kiran Batta and Daniel Wiseman, providing support from a group of 15 researchers including post-docs to fellow PhD students.

Training/techniques provided

The student will gain skills in cell culture, including primary cultures from patients, and advanced molecular techniques to study RNA damage. The project will use cutting edge models of leukaemia as well as innovative applications of native RNA and DNA sequencing techniques, providing the student with a skillset of emerging techniques. The student will gain expertise in these methods by learning from experts from very supportive labs. As well as these practical skills, the student will be trained in experimental planning, project management and scientific dissemination. 

Eligibility 

Candidates are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a related area / subject. 

Students with experience of studying or working in cancer and/or molecular biology environments, and interest in the molecular mechanisms of disease and drug treatment will be best suited to the project.

How to Apply 

On the online application form select Molecular & Clinical Cancer Sciences

For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/). Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor.

Your application form must be accompanied by a number of supporting documents by the advertised deadlines. Without all the required documents submitted at the time of application, your application will not be processed and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have any queries regarding making an application please contact our admissions team FBMH.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion  

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the