Version 2
Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
PhD Project Template



Use one form per project
Please complete & submit to international@nuigalway.ie as soon as possible, and by 27/11/2012
In your email, begin the subject line with [SWB] (be sure to use square brackets) to ensure that
your email is filed correctly. Emails will be automatically filed
PI name & contact details:
Dr Aoife Boyd and Prof Afshin Samali
Aoife.Boyd@nuigalway.ie; Afshin.Samali@nuigalway.ie
School:
Natural Sciences
Has project been agreed with head (or
nominee) of proposed registration school?
Yes
Research Centre / group affiliation:
Microbiology , National Centre for Biomedical Engineering
Science
www.nuigalway.ie/microbiology
http://ncbes.nuigalway.ie
Research group / centre website:
PI website / link to CV:
www.nuigalway.ie/microbiology/ab.html
http://ncbes.eurhost.net/bio/afshin-samali.aspx
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
Dr Boyd leads the Pathogenic Mechanisms group which characterises the molecular virulence
mechanisms of pathogenic bacteria.
Prof Samali leads the Cell Stress group in the Apoptosis Research Centre (ARC).
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Title: Host cell responses to pathogenic bacteria – the role of the cellular stress pathways.
Description: The cellular responses to stress can range from adaptive responses to cell death. It has
recently been shown that pathogenic bacteria can manipulate human cell activities by controlling
cellular stress responses. It is now important to understand the mechanisms by which the bacteria
manipulate the host cells’ stress response pathways, and the consequences for the bacteria and for
the cell. The PhD researcher will investigate this topic and thereby advance knowledge of both
bacterial virulence and cellular stress.
Version 2
Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway:
NUI, Galway provides the unique integration of the host-pathogen expertise of Dr Boyd with the cell
stress expertise of Prof Samali. This will provide the PhD researcher with a stimulating research
project, during which they will acquire excellent skills and experience for their future career. The
candidate will interact closely with both Apoptosis Research Centre and with Infectious Disease
research cluster.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Biology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)/Physical Sciences (Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences)
Health and Biomedical Sciences / Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences
√
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Computing
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Sustainable Agricultural Production
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals, Minerals Technology
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters
Bioprospecting and Biodiversity
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders
arrangements):
Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): _ ____
Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): _____
Suitable for either/Don’t know: __Y___