2022 WWIEM SUMMER RESEARCH PROJECTS
Apply at: WWIEM Summer SP2022
Program Information: Summer Student Programme
Email: cemsummerstudents@qub.ac.uk
Program Coordinator: Dr Effie Kostareli
*the project code is required for the application form. / **LB=laboratory-based
PROJECT CODE* |
SUPERVISOR |
PROJECT TITLE |
PROJECT DESCRIPTION |
LB** |
RESEARCH GROUP/PI WEBSITE |
P01 |
Miguel A. Valvano
|
Exploring mechanisms of resistance to last-resort antibiotics |
Antibiotics are the greatest success story of modern medicine, but the steady global increase of infections caused by multidrug antibiotic resistant (AMR) bacteria has turned into one of the greatest threats to human health. The aim of this project is to investigate the mechanisms of resistance in AMR Enterobacter cloacae complex isolates by: (1) testing the virulence potential of the Enterobacter cloacae complex isolates in the Galleria mellonella moth larvae infection model; (2) conducting qRT-PCR assays comparing the expression of selective colistin resistance associated genes and potential regulators in pre- and post-infection isolates. Enterobacter species can become resistant to Colistin, a last resort antibiotic, either by the horizontal transfer of modifying genes or by the expression of heteroresistance in the bacterial population; and (3) comparing the lipid A profile of colistin-sensitive and colistin-resistant isolates. |
YES |
|
P02 |
Derek Brazil
|
Unravelling the mechanisms of Gremlin1 signaling in colorectal cancer and kidney fibrosis |
We work on Gremlin1, a secreted protein antagonist that inhibits bone morphogenetic protein signaling in a range of cells. Levels of Grem1 are high in many diseases, including fibrosis of the kidney, liver and lungs. High levels of Grem1 are associated with poor patient prognosis. Grem1 therefore represents an attractive novel drug target, and we have developed novel small molecule inhibitors of Grem1 as new drug candidates. |
NO |
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Research/find-a-phd-supervisor/dr-derek-brazil.html;
|
P03 |
Dessi Malinova
d.malinova@qub.ac.uk |
B cell polarity and antigen endocytosis |
We are interested in B cell antigen uptake, a process crucial for B cell proliferation, differentiation and production of high-affinity antibodies. We recently identified Endophilin as a regulator of antigen endocytosis in B cells. Endophilin was shown to specifically localise to the leading edge of adherent cells, and interact with cell polarity regulators during angiogenesis. The process is uncharacterised in B cells and we would like to understand how cell polarity regulators and organelles are organised in the presence or absence of endophilin. In preliminary data, endophilin knockout cells exhibit disrupted alpha-tubulin organisation upon antigen activation implicating a link with the cytoskeleton. We will delete candidate genes in B cells and quantify polarisation of cytoskeleton, integrins and organelles. The research will involve molecular biology, including CRISPR-mediated gene deletion, cell culture, flow cytometry and imaging, giving the candidate experience in a wide range of techniques used in immunology and cell biology. |
YES |
|
P04 |
Guilherme Costa
g.costa@qub.ac.uk |
How do RNA-binding proteins shape blood vessels? |
The vasculature is comprised of a complex network of blood vessels responsible for the vital distribution of supplies to the tissues. Although the vasculature is the first organ to form, the continued changes in supply demands induce growth of the vessel network throughout life. In particular pathological conditions, such as cancer and diabetes, the dysregulation of vessel formation results in dysfunctional vasculature with critical consequences for tissue health. Hence, understanding how new blood vessels form is key to tackle such diseases. This project aims to study RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in vascular cells and how they regulate vessel formation. To do so, the student will use a fascinating toolbox of techniques that allow the subcellular visualisation of RNAs and RBPs. The student will have the opportunity to be directly trained by the PI and will gain state-of-the-art skills in cell culture, molecular and cell biology, microscopy and statistical analysis. |
YES |
|
P05 |
Gunnar Schroeder
|
Identification of virulence factors of intracellular bacterial pathogens |
Bacterial pathogens secrete protein virulence factors to manipulate host cells. Deciphering the function of these is critical to understand pathogenesis and develop new treatments. In this project you will delete new putative virulence factors, which we identified in pathogenic Legionella species, from the bacteria and assess the effect on the competitiveness of the strains in infection assays. You will learn a wide range of molecular biology skills such as cloning, chromosomal deletion as well as handling of non-pathogenic and pathogenic bacteria and infection assays. |
YES |
|
P06 |
Rebecca Coll
|
Evaluation of small molecules as modulators of the NLRP3 inflammasome |
Inflammasomes are intracellular protein complexes that form part of the innate immune response to infection and injury. Inflammasomes trigger the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta) and cell death (pyroptosis). Excessive activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is associated with many diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, atherosclerosis, liver disease, and asthma. Molecules that inhibit or modify NLRP3 can potentially be developed as therapies for these conditions. In this project we will evaluate the effects of various small molecules (e.g. heat shock protein inhibitors and kinase inhibitors) on inflammasome activation. |
YES |
|
P07 |
David Courtney
|
Visualising the RNA of influenza A virus in infected human cells. |
Influenza A virus is an important respiratory pathogen, having caused 6 major pandemics over the last 130 years and results in innumerable deaths every winter. This project aims to develop a method of visualising individual influenza A virus RNA in an infected cell. This method will then be used to determine how alterations in the levels of host proteins can affect viral RNA trafficking. This project will use recently published techniques such as HALO and SNAP protein tags in a novel way, and will generate useful data that will contribute to ongoing research within the group. This exciting project would be perfect for a student interested in virology and molecular biology, and will provide the successful student with skills in molecular biology, virology and fluorescent microscopy. |
YES |
|
P08 |
Eleni Beli
|
Disruption of circadian retina function in diabetes |
We have gathered preliminary data that indicates circadian disruption of photoreceptor function in type 1 diabetes. The disruption was mostly found in the second order neurons of the retina. Thus, in this project the student will perform immunofluorescence for inner nuclear neurons (bipolar, amacrine cells) in retinas collected at different times of the 24hr cycle to identify whether the locations and connections of the inner neurons is affected by diabetes. |
YES |
|
P09 |
Professor Noemi Lois
|
Concordance between eyes of phenotypic features of Diabetic Retinopathy |
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is categorised into stages based on severity of retinal lesions. A variety of features can be observed in people with DR, predominantly due to the development of retinal ischaemia, including microaneurisms, intraretinal haemorrhages, cotton wool spots, hard exudation, venous beading, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities and new vessels. As DR is a systemic disease resulting from long-term hyperglycaemia, it could be hypothesised that it would affect both eyes relatively symmetrically. If this were not to be observed, it would suggest that local eye factors and/or specific individual eye characteristics may modulate the disease. |
NO |
|
P10 |
Bettina Schock
|
Characterization of stimulated iPSc derived fibroblasts |
Fibroblast proliferation into myofibroblasts contributes to the development of fibrotic lung disease. However, to study the contribution fibroblasts play in the development of such diseases is hampered by the lack of accessibility of disease fibroblasts. We have set up a model system using iPSC-derived fibroblasts. In this project we want to characterize these fibroblasts and compare their activation with lung derived fibroblasts. |
YES |
|
P11 |
Denise Fitzgerald and Jessica White
|
How do T cells help repair the brain? |
Oligodendrocytes produce myelin that insulates axons in the central nervous system, providing metabolic support and accelerating nerve signals. In multiple sclerosis, myelin sheaths on axons are damaged (demyelination). In response, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) migrate to the site of damage, proliferate, differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes, and carry out the regenerative process known as remyelination. Unfortunately, this is not always successful, resulting in a lack of functional recovery and subsequent disease progression. Research has shown that immune signalling is important in remyelination, and recently our group has shown that regulatory T cells (Tregs) are required for successful myelin repair (Dombrowski et al. Nature Neuro, 2017). This project aims to investigate mechanisms of how Treg drive OPC differentiation and remyelination. The student will learn molecular biology techniques, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, and possibly bioinformatics and tissue culture. |
YES |
https://www.facebook.com/TheFitzgeraldGroup1
|
P12 |
Judy Bradley
|
Supporting stakeholder Engagement within NI clinical trial infrastructure: IREACH
|
This is an exciting opportunity for a student to work with the IREACH team. IREACH (Institute of Research Excellence for advanced Clinical Healthcare) aims to provide a unified capability for clinical trials within the Belfast region and beyond. Central to delivering this ambition is stakeholder engagement: patients; public; clinicians; industry. The student will join one of these stakeholder workstreams to seeks views on the development of aspects of IREACH e.g. the build; processes for research setup and delivery; creating opportunities and efficiencies.
|
NO |