Overview
Project title: A recombinant system for the synthesis of bacterial polysaccharides
Primary supervisor: Dr Nicholas Harmer
Secondary supervisor: Dr Steve Michell
Project summary:
All bacteria produce a range of polysaccharides. These molecules contribute to the ability of the bacterium to survive in a variety of ecological niches and to protect themselves against many kinds of stresses. Consequently, many pathogenic bacteria have polysaccharides that are vital to their capacity to colonise and invade humans. These polysaccharides represent excellent targets for the development of next generation vaccines, but can often be difficult to prepare at the purity and quantities necessary for vaccine production.
This project aims to develop a recombinant system that will allow the biosynthesis of model bacterial polysaccharides, in a form that can be easily purified in quantities sufficient for process scale development. The model chosen for this development will be the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of Burkholderia pseudomallei: this CPS is a well validated vaccine candidate and is sufficiently simple that it will require the transfer of a limited number of genes
Extensive work has been done on CPS biosynthesis in the laboratories of Dr. Harmer and his collaborators. The principal approach of the project will be to develop a mechanism for producing CPS conjugated either to a simple sugar, or to a small secondary metabolite to produce a soluble molecule that can be easily extracted, purified and processed.
This project will involve using a range of techniques. These will include molecular biology and cloning, protein purification, mass spectrometry and protein structural studies. The School of Biosciences has extensive expertise and state of the art equipment in all of these areas.
For informal enquiries contact Dr Nicholas Harmer at N.J.Harmer@exeter.ac.uk
Application criteria:
Applicants should possess, or expect to obtain, at least a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in an appropriate subject.
This award covers fees at the UK/EU rate. International students can apply, but will need to be able to cover the additional fees (£9700 for 2010/11) from their own funds or other sources.
How to Apply
In order to apply you will need to complete an online web form (opens in new window) where you must submit some personal details and upload a full CV, covering letter, and contact details for two academic referees. Your covering letter should outline your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake this project.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 23 March 2010.
For general enquiries please contact Sarah Mudge at BS-PGadmissions@exeter.ac.uk
Summary:
Funded by: School of Biosciences
Application Deadline: 12th February 2010
Number of Awards: 1
Value: Three-year studentship: tuition fees (UK/EU rate only) and annual stipend at current research council rate
Duration of award: per year
Contact: Sarah Mudge BS-PGadmissions@exeter.ac.uk
Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this studentship
Project title: A recombinant system for the synthesis of bacterial polysaccharides
Primary supervisor: Dr Nicholas Harmer
Secondary supervisor: Dr Steve Michell
Project summary:
All bacteria produce a range of polysaccharides. These molecules contribute to the ability of the bacterium to survive in a variety of ecological niches and to protect themselves against many kinds of stresses. Consequently, many pathogenic bacteria have polysaccharides that are vital to their capacity to colonise and invade humans. These polysaccharides represent excellent targets for the development of next generation vaccines, but can often be difficult to prepare at the purity and quantities necessary for vaccine production.
This project aims to develop a recombinant system that will allow the biosynthesis of model bacterial polysaccharides, in a form that can be easily purified in quantities sufficient for process scale development. The model chosen for this development will be the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of Burkholderia pseudomallei: this CPS is a well validated vaccine candidate and is sufficiently simple that it will require the transfer of a limited number of genes
Extensive work has been done on CPS biosynthesis in the laboratories of Dr. Harmer and his collaborators. The principal approach of the project will be to develop a mechanism for producing CPS conjugated either to a simple sugar, or to a small secondary metabolite to produce a soluble molecule that can be easily extracted, purified and processed.
This project will involve using a range of techniques. These will include molecular biology and cloning, protein purification, mass spectrometry and protein structural studies. The School of Biosciences has extensive expertise and state of the art equipment in all of these areas.
For informal enquiries contact Dr Nicholas Harmer at N.J.Harmer@exeter.ac.uk
Application criteria:
Applicants should possess, or expect to obtain, at least a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in an appropriate subject.
This award covers fees at the UK/EU rate. International students can apply, but will need to be able to cover the additional fees (£9700 for 2010/11) from their own funds or other sources.
How to Apply
In order to apply you will need to complete an online web form (opens in new window) where you must submit some personal details and upload a full CV, covering letter, and contact details for two academic referees. Your covering letter should outline your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake this project.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 23 March 2010.
For general enquiries please contact Sarah Mudge at BS-PGadmissions@exeter.ac.uk
Summary:
Funded by: School of Biosciences
Application Deadline: 12th February 2010
Number of Awards: 1
Value: Three-year studentship: tuition fees (UK/EU rate only) and annual stipend at current research council rate
Duration of award: per year
Contact: Sarah Mudge BS-PGadmissions@exeter.ac.uk
Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this studentship
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