PhD Studentship: Hepatitis E virus in pigs

The main objective of the project is to study the infection cycle of HEV in pigs with a focus on the interaction of HEV replication and the composition of the microbiome and the effect of both on the pig liver. The hypothesis of the project is that the microbiome influences the outcome of HEV infections in pigs. To that extend the approaches to investigate the above concept are as follows:

1. Establish a porcine HEV liver slice model to assess viral replication cycles
2. Analyse and compare the microbiome from HEV positive and negative pigs. The project has access to pig samples from previous and ongoing experimental and field studies. We can accordingly carry out a direct comparison of the microbiome composition.
3. Analysis of the impact of probiotics and specific probiotic metabolites on HEV replication. The project will make use of gut and liver slice models established. In a first part, the infection of these with HEV will be studied. Subsequently selected probiotic bacteria will be used in co-culture with these tissue models to study the impact of probiotics on HEV replication. In an extension of the above we will use probiotic metabolites that have been demonstrated to modulate host physiology to study their impact on HEV replication. The project can here extend the studies to also using liver cell lines.

Supervisors: Professor Falko Steinbach

Entry requirements

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.

Starting in April 2025. Later start dates may be possible please contact Professor Falko Steinbach once the deadline passes.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme.

In addition, you will have to be resident in the UK for at least two, ideally 3 years (at the time of application) to meet the requirement for additional security clearances required to carry out work as part of this project.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD programme page, by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

In place of a research proposal, you should upload a document stating the title of the project that you wish to apply for and the name of the relevant supervisor.

Funding

Directly and fully funded for this project only.

Funding is for 3 years. UKRI standard stipend – i.e. £19,237 for 2024-25.

Application deadline: 9 February 2025

Enquiries: Contact Professor Falko Steinbach

Ref: PGR-2425-018

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