Download PhD Fellowship Opportunity Project title Molecular prediction of

PHD FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Project title
Molecular prediction of immunocompetence development in dairy and beef calves divergent in
passive immunity.
Background
Achieving a high health status in calves is central to sustainable beef and dairy farming. In this
respect, more information is needed on how development of immunocompetence or cell mediated
immunity within dairy or beef calves is related to their passive immune status, vis-a-vis its efficacy or
the time interval involved. Furthermore, there is evidence that, in addition to the humoral immune
response, colostrum (first milk) also has a key role in the cell-mediated segment of the neonatal
immune system, but this needs to be clarified. In recent years, major advances have occurred in the
technologies used to study the molecular mechanisms underpinning biology and immunology in the
bovine. The research activities of this 4-year Ph.D. project will focus on the application of molecular
techniques including next generation sequencing technologies to provide a greater understanding of
the effect of divergence in passive immunity on the development of an adaptive immune response
and, the effect of colostrum per se on the development of immunity in beef and dairy calves. The
project aims to characterize the transcriptome and immune components of colostrum from beef and
dairy cows and following administration of varying levels of colostrum the transcriptome and immune
variables will be determined in leukocytes of beef and dairy calves. Data will be integrated with
immune, physiological and production data using bioinformatics and network analysis which will
identify the critical molecular mechanisms regulating immunity in beef and dairy calves. This data will
ultimately elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulating immunity in beef and dairy cows leading to
the discovery and validation of molecular predictors of immunity in cattle.
Requirements
Applicants should have a primary degree (First or upper Second Class Honours) or M.Sc. in an
appropriate discipline (Animal science, biological sciences, molecular biology etc.). The successful
candidate should be highly self-motivated and be prepared for laboratory work and extended periods
of field work with modern analytical equipment. A full EU driving licence is also required.
Award
The PhD Fellowship is part of a joint research project between UCD, Teagasc, and Agri-Food and
Biosciences Institute, Northern Ireland (AFBINI) and is funded by the Department of Agriculture Food
and the Marine (DAFM) Stimulus funded project (11/S/131). The student will be registered at
University College Dublin, but primarily based at the Teagasc Research Centre, Grange Co. Meath.
Periods of laboratory work will be undertaken at AFBINI. The student will be working under the joint
supervision of Dr. Ingrid Lorenz (UCD), Dr. Sinéad Waters, Dr. Mark McGee and Dr. Bernadette
Earley (Teagasc) and Dr. Michael Welsh (AFBINI). The Fellowship will start as soon as possible after
20th of January 2014. The 4-year fellowship provides an annual stipend of €22,000 from which,
university fees are paid.
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Further Information/Applications
Dr. Sinead Waters, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange,
Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland.
Phone +353 (0)91845232
email: [email protected]
Dr. Ingrid Lorenz, UCD, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Science Centre, Belfield, Dublin 4,
Ireland.
Phone +353 (1)7166083
email: [email protected]
Application Procedure
Submit an electronic copy of Curriculum Vitae, and a letter of interest simultaneously to:
Dr. Sinéad Waters
Dr. Ingrid Lorenz
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
Closing date
10th of January, 2014
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