Published: 06 Jun 2022 1,112 views
The assembly of membraneless organelles is emerging as a fundamental paradigm for many cellular functions. Among these, stress granules (SGs) play a central role in health and disease by concentrating proteins and RNAs, driving adaption to stressful conditions, including viral infection. SGs can be either cytoprotective or pro-death, anti-viral or pro-viral. SGs are proposed to act as part of larger coordinated waves of biocondensates assembly in the nucleus – paraspeckles which impact on splicing, and interact with cytoplasmic P-bodies involved in RNA decay. Despite this, the role of biocondensates in infection remains poorly understood. Because SGs and paraspeckles can have anti-viral functions, or promote replication, viruses provide a unique model to elucidate biocondensate functions. At Surrey, Professor Locker has already made fundamental advances in understanding SG function. With its nuclear replication and Professor West’s work at Sussex showing it repurposes cellular RNA binding proteins to regulate gene expression, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) provides an excellent to dissect the role of biocondensates during viral infection.
| Application Deadline | 20 Jun 2022 |
| Country to study | United Kingdom |
| School to study | University of Surrey |
| Type | PhD |
| Sponsor | University of Surrey |
| Gender | Men and Women |
The PhD candidates selected by the University of Surrey will be provided with the following benefits:
Applications should be submitted via the Biosciences and Medicine PhD programme page on the "Apply" tab. Please clearly state the studentship title and supervisor on your application.