MSc (Masters by Research), 12 Months duration, Full-Time.
Funding
This is a fees-only studentship (UK rate fees only / all laboratory & reagent costs are paid by the School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences) over 12 months.
Project Reference PG4CT
Area of Research
Infection, Pathogenicity, Biotechnology
Project Description
This project is based in the Microbiology section of the School of Life, Sport & Social Sciences. The project is led by Dr Clare Taylor whose research is primarily focused on understanding host-microbe interactions, particularly of intracellular bacteria that cause human infection.
The current project is exploring cobalt-mediated gene expression in Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium with a view to understanding how cobalt contributes to bacterial pathogenicity, and to exploit these findings to develop novel medical therapies.
Cobalt is required for incorporation into cobalamin (vitamin B12) which is synthesised de novo under anaerobic conditions and is required for metabolism of 1,2-propanediol and ethanolamine which act as sources of carbon and nitrogen when Salmonella is in the gut. Therefore sensing Co2+ from the environment, and maintaining Co2+ homeostasis, to avoid metal-mediated toxicity, is required for vitamin B12 biosynthesis and successful establishment of Salmonella leading to infection.
This laboratory-based project will focus on characterising genes that interact with cobalt and explore how we might exploit the findings.
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
Contact Dr Clare Taylor (cl.taylor@napier.ac.uk) for further information.
Start Date: The studentship starts on 1st February 2016.
Application Deadline: All applications must be received by Wednesday 16th December 2015.
Scholarships are not only for the smart students. Anyone can get scholarships
Have a Question about this Scholarship?