PhD position - Novel mechanisms of Pyrin inflammasome activation
Melbourne-based project
This project is being offered as part of the Bonn and Melbourne Research and Graduate Group, a joint PhD program in Immunology between the University of Bonn and Melbourne (https://bonnmelb-phdprogram.com).
The majority of time for this project may be spent in Melbourne, Australia.
Project title: Novel mechanisms of Pyrin inflammasome activation
Melbourne supervisor/ location: Masters Laboratory, Centre for Innate Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute.
Bonn supervisor/ location: Geyer Laboratory, University of Bonn
Project description:
The inflammasome is a complex of proteins that activates inflammatory cytokines and causes cell death. Normally the inflammasome is turned on to fight infection, however can be inappropriately turned on by gene variants that cause autoinflammatory diseases. One example of this is the Pyrin inflammasome, for which mutations can cause familial Mediterranean fever. We have now found additional proteins that regulate Pyrin, and novel gene variants that may cause autoinflammatory diseases that are not yet characterised.
In this project we will initially use CRISPR for gene deletion and mutation, followed by routine analyses of inflammasome signalling and cell death. This work will be informed by clinical presentation in terms of the cell types and phenotypes to be modelled in the lab. After establishing pathogenicity and mechanism in the Masters lab in Melbourne, the project will continue with structural and biophysical approaches in the Geyer laboratory in Bonn. In particular, analysis of inflammasome protein complexes has been a major success of the Geyer lab recently, so brining new information into this program is likely to result in major new insights.
Academic entry requirements: We welcome applications from all countries and nationalities. To be eligible for entry you are expected to have successfully completed your BSc and MSc degree (or close to completion) in Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related fields and achieved an overall average of greater than 80%. This is a minimum entry requirement and serves as a guide only. You are also required to have completed a research project that accounts to at least 25% of one year of study and must possess excellent English language skills. Additional qualifications and/or experience in a relevant field, reference reports and scientific publications will also be taken into consideration.
Please note that this position is fully funded, students are not expected to pay international study fees. Funding includes:
How to apply: Candidates who meet the minimum entry requirements are asked to submit the following documents via email:
1. Letter of motivation
2. CV in German or English language
3. Electronic copy of your full BSc and MSc University transcripts (or equivalent) in German or English language
4. Evidence of English language competency (study abroad, IELTS, TOEFL, or similar)
Contact/application to: marie.greyer@unimelb.edu.au