Engineering Long-Lasting Broad-Spectrum Innate Immune Antivirals

OVERVIEW

This project seeks to discover and develop novel means to push the temporal limits of innate antiviral immunity of epithelial and immune cells against emerging viruses with pandemic potential through a combination of computational, cellular and molecular approaches.

Viruses continue to be a major global burden to the health and wellbeing of humans, animals, and ecosystems. Emerging zoonotic viruses that spillover from animals into the human population represent a clear future pandemic threat, particularly for respiratory infections, or vector-borne diseases driven by climate change. The diversity and unpredictability of zoonoses are a massive challenge in developing effective, rapid countermeasures.

One answer to this problem lies in our own innate immune system that has evolved to quickly defend against myriad viruses. However, due to evolutionary and biological constraints such pathways are poorly optimised for sustained, safe activity. Therefore, this project seeks to overcome these challenges and engineer longterm antiviral immunity in both mucosal and systemic tissues against airborne viruses and arboviruses.

You will use cutting-edge computational biology and machine learning tools, combined with molecular genetic manipulation of host cells and viral pathogens like influenza viruses and flaviviruses under high-containment to: i) determine the temporal limits of natural antiviral immune signalling pathways in airway epithelial and immune cells; ii) uncover underlying induced RNA and protein biomarkers of signalling kinetics; and iii) identify genetic and biochemical modifiers of these targets in order to safely enhance their longevity.

Research Information

PhD Supervisors
Information on the research interests and activities of academics in Biological Sciences can be accessed via the School website and the Find a Supervisor facility.

Career Prospects

Introduction
Queen’s postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as the DegreePlus/Future Ready Award, bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. Career prospects in the biological sciences are exceptionally good. To some extent it depends on the specific topic, of course, but laboratory-based and especially quantitative skills and the proven innovation of a PhD or MPhil are highly sought after. Degrees are very much in demand, both in commercial science and public sector research and development (e.g. drug discovery and development, crop and animal improvements and welfare, sustainable agriculture and resource use, human nutrition and health, animal health, ecological management, food safety and technology, scientific communications, regulation, and many more fields).

Employment after the Course
Graduates have gone on to be professional research scientists, consultants, or hold technical and junior executive positions in commerce and government.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant subject from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen’s University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor

If you’re interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.