Postdoctoral Research Associate

Fixed term - July 2024 – July 2026

We are looking for a driven and enthusiastic post-doctoral researcher interested in understanding how DNA-and RNA-binding activities of Helix-Turn-Helix transcription factors in an important bacterial pathogen (MRSA) contribute to virulence and host infection.

The Opportunity:

We recently found that many Helix-Turn-Helix domain transcription factors (HTH-TFs) from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus also globally bind RNA in vivo. Some HTH-TFs have well-established transcriptional roles in regulating MRSA infectivity and antibiotic resistance. Moreover, the transcription activity of numerous HTH-TFs can be controlled by small molecules, making them promising targets for developing novel antimicrobials. 

Our data indicate that the regulatory impact of HTH-TFs is much more profound than anticipated, underscoring the need for a thorough characterisation of these proteins. We hypothesise that HTH-TFs post-transcriptionally control a substantial fraction of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors by altering the stability/translation of RNA substrates. RNA may also compete with HTH-TF transcriptional activities. 

By integrating state-of-the-art biochemical and phenotypic approaches, you will obtain detailed mechanistic insights into how these RNA-binding activities impact gene expression, and pathogenicity during host infection. A detailed understanding of MRSA HTH-TF function and how its nucleic acid binding is regulated may underpin future therapeutic approaches.

Your skills and attributes for success: 

• Experience in studying host-pathogen interactions.
• Experience in working with animal infection models.
• Demonstrated background in infection biology.
• Understanding of gene expression regulatory mechanisms.

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