PhD Studentship: Sweet and Sticky: The Role of Protein Glycosylation in Bacteria Colonisation and Adaptation to the Gut

The accessory secretion (aSec) system is a protein export pathway that is uniquely present in Gram-positive bacteria and is dedicated to the secretion of large, glycosylated cell wall-anchored adhesins called serine-rich repeat proteins (SRRPs). We previously identified aSec pathways and strain-specific glycosylation of SRRPs in Limosilactobacillus reuteri, a health-promoting gut commensal bacteria showing high host specialisation. This PhD studentship provides an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to address fundamental questions on the role of protein glycosylation in bacteria adaptation in the gut.

In this PhD project, the student will use in vitro and in vivo approaches including organ-on-chip technology and mouse models to investigate the role of SRRP glycosylation in biofilm formation and colonisation.

The PhD student will join a large and dynamic multidisciplinary team at the Quadram Institute Bioscience and receive mentoring and training in relevant experimental models and state-of-the art analytical tools. Through this PhD studentship, the student will acquire expertise in molecular microbiology, glycobiology, biochemistry, imaging, bioinformatics, advanced microbe-host models (gut organoids) and in vivo skills.

The student will benefit from the established network of international collaborations of the host Labs in this research area. Training will embrace research practice and theory, research integrity, management, communication (to scientific and lay audiences) and technical writing, intellectual property, teamwork. The student will present his/her work at internal seminars and to relevant Microbiology and Glycobiology international meetings, and be encouraged to participate into outreach activities and innovative competitions.

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2026/27 stipend rate: 21,805, and a Research Training Support Grant of 5,000pa for each year of the studentship.

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