About us
PhD in Bovine Genetics & Immunology
Location
Teagasc Bioscience Research Facility, Trim, Co. Meath
Description
Defensins, Fertility and Reproductive Immunology
ß-defensins belong to the family of Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) – short, structurally diverse proteins that kill microbes, and have specific and specialised functions in innate immunity including the regulation of inflammation. Four AMP gene clusters exist in the bovine genome demonstrating an expansion of these genes (estimated at 57) that does not exist in other species.
Our research group has discovered a panel of 19 novel AMPs in the bovine genome, making up one of these clusters and which are almost exclusively expressed in the reproductive tract. Research on these genes in other species have shown direct effects on mediating sperm function as well as modulating the immune response in the uterus. Furthermore, mutations in these genes cause infertility in men. Epididymal-specific expression of these bovine genes supports a direct role in reproduction and/or immunoprotection of the sperm in the female tract in cattle also. As infertility as the single most detrimental issue for the agricultural industry, this project holds significant potential for understanding the immunological and reproductive role of these molecules and identification of biomarkers for selection of animals with increased fertility.
Specifically, this project aims to 1. Characterise genetic variation in these genes between cattle breeds; 2. Analyse associations between these genes and phenotypic traits of interest in resource cattle populations and 3. Assess the predictive potential of these genes for fertility traits in cattle.
The student recruited on this project will work with a progressive research team consisting of two other PhD students working on the immunological and reproductive function of these genes and a postdoctoral scientist. Furthermore collaborative work on this project will be carried out in TCD, UCD and UL with leading scientists in reproduction and immunology. The successful candidate will also benefit from learning the latest techniques in DNA based capture and target enrichment, high-throughput sequencing, DNA analysis and SNP identification, population genetics and gene-association analysis.
Qualifications
This is a collaborative project between the School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin (Professor Cliona O’ Farrelly) and Teagasc (Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority). Applicants should have a 2.1 honours degree or higher in one of the following or related disciplines: immunology, genetics/genomics, cellular/molecular biology or biochemistry. Bioinformatics expertise would be an advantage.
Further Details
The successful applicant will be registered in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin but be primarily based in the new state of the art Bioscience Research Facility in Trim, Co. Meath, under the supervision of Dr Kieran Meade, Senior Animal Health Bioscientist. The Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre is a major new initiative to expand Teagasc’s capacity for advanced and translational research in animal bioscience.
This Teagasc Walsh Fellowship Award is €22,000/year for 4 years. TCD postgraduate fees must be paid from this with the balance available as a student stipend (~€15,000). Unfortunately, funding is only available for EU postgraduate fees and non-EU students would be liable for the balance of fees payable for international students. Enquiries and applications (CV, cover letter and contact details for two referees) should be emailed to Kieran Meade at kieran.meade@teagasc.ie.
Closing Date
07 December 2012