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SGUL/LSHTM MRC London Intercollegiate Doctoral Training Partnership – 2017/18 Potential PhD Projects Title of PhD project Does the BCG vaccine protect infants from severe forms of childhood tuberculosis by trained innate and humoral immune mechanisms? Supervisor Dr Steven Smith LSHTM Co-Supervisor Dr Christine Jones SGUL Brief description of project Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world’s mostly deadly infectious diseases. To develop a better vaccine, we need to understand how the immune system resists infection. The current BCG vaccine, which protects infants against severe forms of childhood TB, was recently shown to induce the surprising phenomenon of innate immune “memory” through the training of monocytes. New evidence suggests antibodies may also be important. Using infant samples from a clinical setting, this project will test the hypothesis that both trained innate and humoral immunity mediate the protective benefits of infant BCG vaccination, also assessing the effect of age and increasing immunological maturity. Generation and analysis of –omics datasets and state-of-the-art assays of cellular immune response will be used to address the research question. Particular prior educational requirements for a student undertaking this project Students undertaking this project should have a background in the biological sciences, ideally in a medically-related subject. An MSc in immunology would be an advantage as would practical training or time spent in a molecular or cellular immunology laboratory. The project will offer training opportunities in these areas so applicants with related experience should also apply. Skills we expect a student to develop/acquire whilst pursuing this project The student will gain expertise in the analysis of human immune responses including multi-parameter flow cytometry, ELISA/Luminex, and functional assays. The collection of large -omics datasets (e.g. epigenetics/proteomics) will allow the acquisition of skills in computational analysis. They will be trained in study design and implementation, including recruitment of research participants and gain an appreciation the high value of research samples in such studies. 1