About us
PhD Programme: Computational Infection Biology
Location
UCD
Description
The 4-year PhD Programme in Computational Infection Biology, funded by the UK Wellcome Trust began in September 2011. The goal of the programme is to deliver graduates with expertise in biology and computational modelling, ready to lead interdisciplinary research programmes within biomedical research, bio-pharma and agri-food industries. Funding for the programme is guaranteed by the Wellcome Trust under the same conditions as other programmes in the United Kingdom.
The programme offers projects in 4 main areas:
1. Genomic analysis of microbial pathogens of animals and man.
Several groups at UCD are using next generation sequencing technologies to investigate virulence characteristics of pathogenic species. Mining these large data sets requires expertise in computational analysis, which will be provided through collaboration with members of the bioinformatics and systems biology groups.
2. Novel and challenging targets in infectious disease.
Groups will use protein engineering, NMR, X-ray crystallography and other experimental methods in combination with computational modelling and prediction to identify key determinants critical for biomolecular interactions in infectious disease. The evolution of pathogens experiencing drug-induced selection will also be investigated.
3. Molecular mechanisms of viral disease.
Functional genomics and statistical methods will be applied to the study of drug response and evolution of viruses such as HIV, FIV and hepatitis B.. Many large-scale genomic and proteomics datasets are available.
4. Host-pathogen interactions.
Several groups at UCD are currently using functional genomics and proteomics approaches and comprehensive signal transduction analysis to study the response of the host and the pathogen during infection with Mycobacterium spp, Leptospira interrogans, Legionella, Rhodococcus, and influenza A viruses. Other projects use glycomics to study the interaction of microbes with the intestinal tract.
Qualifications
The programme recruits students from a variety of backgrounds (biology, computer science, statistics, engineering, mathematics, chemistry, physics) and will provide relevant taught modules together with active research. Applicants should have at least an upper-second class (II.1) honours or equivalent degree in a relevant subject and should meet the standard UCD English language requirements.
Further Details
During their first year, students will spend 3-4 months with two laboratory groups, experiencing both laboratory-based and bioinformatics-based research. Each student will then choose a project that will be jointly run by two supervisors, one with a background in experimental research and the other with a background in computational or mathematical analysis.
The programme will provide generous studentships (>€20,000) plus fees at the EU rate for 5 students each year. Funding is provided for 4 years per student.
Follow the links on ttp://bioinfo-casl.ucd.ie/cib/ to apply to the programme. Recruitment for the 2013 intake began on Oct 22nd 2102.
Closing Date
07 December 2012