NEW: Identifying novel anti-malarial transmission blocking vaccine targets on the parasitic zygote
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a devastating infectious disease. Within the mosquito, a malaria parasite undergoes a complex and delicate lifecycle that can be terminated at multiple stages with the use of transmission blocking vaccines (TBVs). One of the most precarious stages of this lifecycle is the formation of a motile zygote, termed an “ookinete”, in the mosquito midgut after a bloodmeal. Two related immune-dominant molecules, called P25 and P28, expressed on the surface of the ookinete, are proven to confer transmission blocking immunity after vaccination with lab-produced TBVs. Aside from this, our knowledge of ookinete surface proteins that can initiate an immunological response and anti-parasitic effect is limited, preventing the generation of new TBVs targeting the ookinete.
NEW: New insights into the oldest cells: How bacteria regulate translation in unexpected ways
Applications are invited for a fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship based in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Dr Betty Chung starting January 2026. Closing date: 10th July 2025.
The PhD project will investigate a newly discovered mechanism of translational regulation in bacteria, with the potential to reveal fundamental insights into gene expression and microbial adaptation.
Project Summary:
Translation is a critical control point in bacterial gene expression, yet many regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood. In our recent work, we uncovered a previously uncharacterized mechanism of translational regulation in bacteria, involving novel RNA elements and ribosomal stalling events. This PhD project will delve into the molecular details of this regulatory system, its physiological roles, and its conservation across bacterial species.
Key objectives include:
- Characterizing the molecular mechanism of this translational regulation using a combination of genetics, molecular biology, and structural biology.
- Determining its impact on bacterial physiology under different environmental conditions.
- Investigating the evolutionary conservation and diversity of this mechanism in other bacterial taxa.
Techniques You May Use:
The project will involve a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular biology, microbiology, and systems-level analysis. Depending on the project’s progression and your interests, you may gain experience in:
Infection-Associated Techniques — Studying bacterial gene regulation during host-pathogen interactions.
High-Throughput Transcriptomics and Translatomics — Including cutting-edge methods such as ribosome profiling to explore translation dynamics.
Reporter Assays — Using RNA-based fluorescence or luminescence-based systems to investigate regulatory mechanisms in live cells.
In Vitro Translation Systems — Reconstituting translation in a controlled environment to dissect mechanistic details.
Structural Biology Approaches — Particularly cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to explore RNA or ribosome-associated structures.
Computational and Bioinformatic Analysis — Handling and interpreting large datasets, sequence conservation, RNA structure modelling, and more.
You will be supported in developing new skills, with opportunities to focus on either experimental or computational components, or both, based on your evolving interests and the direction of the research.
Candidate Requirements:
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in molecular biology, microbiology, or biochemistry. Previous experience in RNA biology, bacterial genetics, or translational regulation will be advantageous, but not essential. Enthusiasm to learn new techniques and a curiosity-driven approach to research are key.
Lab and Environment:
Our lab is part of a dynamic research community within the Department of Pathology, offering access to state-of-the-art facilities and strong collaborations in RNA biology and microbial genetics. You'll work in a supportive, interdisciplinary environment with opportunities for training, conference attendance, and international collaboration.
Funding* will cover the student’s stipend at the current Research Council rate and Home University Fees. The studentship will be funded for four years from January 2026. *The studentships are available to students who qualify for UK Home fees only. Please check your eligibility here.
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Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) the equivalent of a high UK 2.1 or higher in an undergraduate honours or Masters degree in a relevant subject. The studentship is open to those eligible for the Home rate of University fees.
All applications should be made online via the University’s Applicant Portal for a PhD in Pathology (BLPA22). Applications should include academic transcripts, CV and 2 references. An application is only complete when all supporting documents, including the 2 academic references, are submitted. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their referees submit their references before the closing date. Please also explain your motivation why you wish to pursue a PhD in this area, outline your research interests and background, and describe the qualities and experience you will bring to the role.