Download Does the BCG vaccine protect infants from severe forms of

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.
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