PhD Studentship: Investigating Tick-borne Flavivirus Persistent Infection in Tick Cells

Pathogens transmitted by ticks are responsible for the majority of the vector-borne diseases in temperate North America, Europe and Asia. Concerning Europe, the recent detection of Tick-borne encephalitis across western Europe including the UK, and the spread of Crimea-Congo Fever virus in Spain, Turkey and Albania, rise important public health concern, and emphasize the need of novel vector-based control strategies. 

While viral persistence of tick-borne viruses is recognized ecologically, little is known on how tick-borne arboviruses establish viral persistence at the cellular level. Elucidating the determinants essential for initiating and maintaining viral persistence is key for developing vector control strategies and limiting viral transmission. Therefore, the project proposes to develop a novel study system using Ixodes Ricinus cells infected with the tick-borne Flavivirus, Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), to identify and characterize host factors essential for the viral persistence within vector cells. 

Combining system virology tools, gene editing technology and molecular virology methods, you will : 

1. Design a TBEV reporter virus using a reverse genetic system. 
2. Monitor the cellular infection using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry to characterize the factors essential for Flavivirus persistence in tick cells. 
3. Identify the role of selected factors using state-of-art gene editing methods. Generating new hypothesis on tick-borne viral persistence. 

Key Research Objectives: 

Tick Cell Biology: Characterize the interactions between Ix. Ricinus tick cells and tick-borne Flaviviruses, with an emphasis on Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). 

Viral Persistence: Investigate the strategies employed by tick-borne Flavivirus to establish and maintain long-term infections within tick cells. 

High-Throughput Technology: Utilize state-of-the-art high-throughput technology to analyze large datasets efficiently, enabling a comprehensive understanding of viral-host interactions. 

Benefits of the Studentship: 

• Gain expertise in gene editing techniques and virology.
• Training and experience in CAT3 laboratory.
• Collaborate with leading scientists in the field.
• Access state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and resources.
• Develop critical skills in data analysis and interpretation. 

Supervisors: Dr Marine Petit, Professor Gill Elliott. 

Entry requirements 

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information. Starting in January 2024. 

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme. 

We are seeking candidates with a strong background in molecular biology, virology, or related fields. A passion for unravelling the mysteries of tick-borne diseases and a commitment to scientific excellence are essential. 

How to apply 

Applications should be submitted via the Biosciences and Medicine PhD programme page. 

In place of a research proposal you should upload a document stating the title of the project that you wish to apply for and the name of the relevant supervisor. 

Please also submit your CV, a cover letter outlining your research interests and motivation, and contact information for two academic referees to m.petit@surrey.ac.uk. 

Funding

A stipend (£18,622 for 2023-24) and tuition fees covered for 3.5 years. 

Application deadline 

13 October 2023 

Enquiries 

Contact Dr Marine Petit, (m.petit@surrey.ac.uk).

Ref                                          

PGR-2324-009

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