Weed Out the Worms – Exploiting Endocannabinoid Biology for Nematode Parasite Control

OVERVIEW

Parasitic nematodes cause major global health and economic burdens, and long-term control is increasingly threatened by escalating drug resistance. Endocannabinoid (EC) signalling regulates key physiological processes and has become an established therapeutic target in vertebrates. Parasitic nematodes also possess EC signalling pathways that may be important in parasitism. This project will explore the potential of EC signalling as a novel target pathway for nematode parasite control.

Exogenous cannabinoids, commonly derived from the cannabis plant, alter sensory perception and affect a range of behaviours. Vertebrates also naturally produce endogenous cannabinoids, known as endocannabinoids (ECs), that are responsible for the modulation of important physiological processes including movement, reproduction, and feeding. Indeed, these pathways are now the target of many new treatments for vertebrate diseases. Invertebrates, including the free-living model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, also possess functional EC signalling systems, but they appear to display key differences from vertebrates. We know little about the functional biology or importance of the EC system in parasitic nematodes however, bioinformatic evidence suggests that these pathways also differ from vertebrate EC signalling and may offer new opportunities for antiparasitic therapy.

This project will exploit genomic resources, functional genomics and tractable parasite models, to define the role and importance of EC signalling in parasitic nematodes. The student will: (i) Identify and prioritise EC signalling candidates in key parasitic nematodes using in silico analyses of genome (BLAST, HMM) and transcriptome (RNASeq analyses) datasets; (ii) functionally interrogate prioritised EC signalling effectors using reverse genetics approaches (RNAi and CRISPR) in tractable nematode parasite models; (iii) validate gene silencing or knockout at the molecular and, where appropriate, proteomic level; (iv) determine the biological consequences of EC signalling disruption using in vitro and in vivo bioassays designed to interrogate nematode behaviour and parasitism. This interdisciplinary project will provide training in bioinformatics, molecular parasitology, functional genomics and experimental biology, while addressing a global challenge. By uncovering the functional importance of nematode EC signalling the work has the potential to reveal new targets for parasite control and reduce the long-term clinical and economic burden of infection.

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.