The University of Sheffield
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health
Department of Infection & Immunity
Using in vivo imaging in transparent zebrafish to understand the fate of inflammatory cells
Supervisor: Professor Stephen Renshaw & Dr Philip Elks
Project:
Being able to see every inflammatory cell as inflammation proceeds is a uniquely
powerful way to understand this fundamentally important biological process. Using
transparent zebrafish expressing fluorescent proteins in various immune cells, we
have pioneered new ways to see and understand immunity where it counts – in
living systems. Using these systems we have shown how neutrophils are recruited
as the body’s first line of defence against injury and invading pathogens. Once the
infectious challenge has been neutralised, however, it is critical that inflammation
resolves and neutrophils are removed, since chronic inflammation leads to tissue
damage and scarring – important in many diseases. Previously, highly successful
PhD students in the lab have shown that resolution of neutrophilic inflammation
can be brought about by a new drug treatment they identified (Robertson, Science
Translational Medicine in press), which causes neutrophils to migrate away from the
inflammatory site, a process known as reverse migration (Elks et al., 2011). The two
most interesting questions however remain unanswered. In this PhD studentship,
the successful candidate will use our unique approaches to investigate (1) how
neutrophil removal from wounds is controlled at a molecular level and (2) what
happens to neutrophils that have reverse migrated away from wounds. Are reverse
migrated neutrophils fully functional? Do they carry with them some memory of
their inflammatory encounter? This is likely to reveal exciting information of
relevance to our understanding and treatment of inflammatory diseases. Students
in our labs are well looked after and get fantastic training in cutting-edge
microscopy techniques, molecular biology and in vivo modelling.
Entry Requirements:
Candidates must have a first or upper second class honors degree or significant
research experience.
Enquiries:
Interested candidates should in the first instance contact Professor Stephen Renshaw
(s.a.renshaw@sheffield.ac.uk).
How to apply:
Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form and attach at
least two references to your application. To complete the application form please
visit: www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply.
Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select
‘Infection & Immunity’ as the department.
Website: http://www.shef.ac.uk/infectionandimmunity
Closing date: 11th April