PhD Studentship: Boosting Immunity Through Diet: Exploring How Low-Protein Diets Reshape Blood Stem Cell and Natural Killer Cell Responses to Pathogens

Primary Supervisor - Dr Edyta Wojtowicz 

Background: 

Western diets rich in fats and sugars are linked to obesity and more frequent infections. In contrast, plant-based diets have been associated with increased longevity and decreased infections in the elderly. Transitioning to a plant-based diet typically involves decreased protein intake through reduced meat consumption. However, the impact of low-protein diet on human health, particularly immune function, remains poorly understood. My group in collaboration with the Beraza group has recently shown that a low protein diet improves the immune response to bacterial infection[1]. 

Aim: 

This project will investigate the mechanisms through which Natural Killer (NK)[2,3] cells enhance the immune response in low protein diets. To achieve this the student will employ cutting-edge FACS cell isolation, single-cell RNA sequencing, lineage tracing[4], metabolomic[5], and bioinformatic[6,7] techniques established in the Wojtowicz, Beraza, and Haerty groups. 

Objectives: 

1. Characterise the functional changes to NK cells during low-protein diets.
2. Identify the molecular and ancestry changes to NK cells upon infection during low-protein diets.
3. Either the identification and validation of genes that enhance NK cell production in vitro using CRISPR-Cas9 or utilising metabolomics to study the cause of enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity during low-protein diets. 

Supervisory team, collaborations and the environment: 

The student will be primarily based in the Wojtowicz lab but will collaborate closely with the Beraza and Haerty groups. This will give them a strong and experienced supervisory team with expertise in metabolomic, single cell and computational methods. Established collaborations with pharmaceutical companies will allow the student to translate their findings into industry. The student will have access to extensive training and career development opportunities at EI, QIB, and as part of the Norwich Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership.  

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2025 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP CASE students undertake a three to 18-month placement with the non-academic partner during their study. The placement offers experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. 

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 28, 29 or 30 January 2025.  

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.

Funding Details

Additional Funding Information

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2024/5 stipend rate: £19,237), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship. 

Closing Date: 25 November 2024 (at 11.59 pm) 

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