About the Project
The Department of Pathology has an excellent reputation in pure biological and biomedical research and is offering fully funded* studentships from October 2027 to work with one of the Research Group Leaders in this large and vibrant Department.
All applications should be made online via the University's Applicant Portal for a PhD in Pathology (BLPA22). A completed application must be submitted by the closing date below. 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 of the studentship.
Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) the equivalent of a UK upper 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. Additionally, the Department requires that by the time of interview all potential students must have fulfilled the language requirements for admission. (http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blpapdpth/requirements)
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.
Applications from ineligible candidates will not be considered.
Further information about the course can be found here.
Cross-species transmission is a major driver of emerging viral diseases, yet the molecular factors that determine the severity of disease in a new host remain poorly understood. This PhD project will investigate how pattern recognition receptor (PRR) signalling shapes cross-species host/virus interactions, with a particular focus on viruses that infect both mammalian and avian hosts.
The project will examine how differences in nucleic acid sensing PRRs drives differential outcomes to infection. We will analyse how pathogen sensing and downstream signalling pathways influence the outcome of infection across species. In parallel, there will be a focus on understanding how viruses evade or manipulate innate immune responses, and whether viral immune-evasion mechanisms have different effects depending on the host species and its specific immune architecture.
Using comparative virology and immunology approaches, with techniques including proteomics, RNAseq, flow cytometry and molecular virology, we will investigate host and viral determinants of infection, including PRR activation, downstream inflammatory and antiviral signalling, and viral antagonism of these pathways. Comparative studies across mammalian and avian systems will help identify conserved versus species-specific mechanisms of innate immune recognition and viral immune evasion.
The overall aim is to understand how variation in host PRR signalling and viral immune evasion strategies contributes to host range, viral adaptation and successful cross-species transmission. The findings could provide new mechanistic insights into the factors that determine zoonotic potential and help inform approaches for predicting and mitigating the emergence of novel viral pathogens.
Funding Notes
The studentships are available to students who qualify for UK HOME FEES ONLY
Please check for eligibility details using this website: View Website
*Funding will cover the student's stipend at the current Research Council rate and Home University Fees. The studentship will be funded for 4 years from October 2027.
