Website University of Dundee
- Funding – BBSRC funded 4 year studentship, providing tuition fees, training/research costs and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate, currently £21,805
- Start Date – September 2027
- Applicants are expected to have a degree (equivalent of Honours or Masters) in a relevant discipline
Many species of bacteria use a contractile nanomachine called the Type VI secretion system (T6SS) to deliver a wide range of toxic proteins, known as ‘effectors’, directly into neighbouring cells. The T6SS plays a key role in the virulence and competitiveness of diverse Gram-negative bacteria, including important human, animal and plant pathogens. In some cases the T6SS can be used to directly attack host cells or microbial eukaryotes. However the primary role of the T6SS is believed to be during inter-bacterial competition, when bacteria use the T6SS to deliver anti-bacterial effectors into other bacterial cells, efficiently killing or disabling competitors. T6SSs thus provide a competitive mechanism to allow pathogens to proliferate in polymicrobial infection sites or environmental reservoirs and ultimately cause disease. Understanding T6SS-mediated effector delivery and the lethal consequences of these effectors on targeted cells offers the potential to uncover new ways to kill or inhibit bacterial pathogens, as well as fundamental insights into the dynamics of polymicrobial communities more broadly. Long-term it may contribute to new therapeutic and agricultural anti-bacterial strategies, including against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
This PhD project will involve studying several anti-bacterial T6SS effectors, aiming to determine their molecular mode-of-action and investigate the cellular and population-level consequences of intoxication on recipient bacteria. There will be a particular focus on effectors which form ion-conducting pores in bacterial membranes which are currently under-studied compared with other T6SS effectors, despite being effective anti-bacterial toxins.
The lead supervisor, Prof. Sarah Coulthurst, brings extensive expertise and experience in studying the mechanisms of T6SS effector delivery and the nature and mode-of-action of T6SS-dependent effector proteins. Her group utilise a wide range of molecular, cellular and genetic approaches and focus on representative examples of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The co-supervisor, Dr. Samantha Pitt, brings unique expertise in using electrophysiology to elucidate the biophysical properties and mechanism of action of ion-channel-forming proteins. The two groups have a track record of successful collaboration to define novel T6SS-dependent pore forming toxins (see https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-13439-0 and https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s44318-025-00587). Additional collaborators will provide opportunities to incorporate in silico modelling and state-of-the-art ‘omics and microscopy approaches as required.
The student will gain a experience in a variety of approaches, encompassing molecular and cellular microbiology, electrophysiology, biochemistry and bioinformatics. They will join a vibrant, friendly and supportive group of researchers and will have many and varied opportunities to engage with the international research community, local research teams and the general public.
Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.
How to apply
Applications are open to Home & International students
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