ILRI Msc Graduate Fellowship: Identification of virulence factors as novel vaccine targets at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit an MSc student to perform random genome-wide mutagenesis using transposons to generate a library of bacterial mutants and then utilize already established in vitro cell culture protocols to screen for mutants that fail to phenocopy the wildtype Mmm to identify bacterial factors involved in the initial host-pathogen interaction and dysregulation of the host immune response. We aim towards identifying vaccine candidates that can disrupt the bacteria-induced dysregulation of the host’s immune response

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices in East, South and Southern Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

Animal and Human Health program seeks to effectively manage or eliminate livestock, zoonotic and food-borne diseases that matter to the poor through the generation and use of knowledge, technologies and products, leading to higher farmer incomes and better health and nutrition for consumers and livestock. - https://www.ilri.org/research/programs/animal-and-human-health

About The Position

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, CBPP, caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm), is one of the major infectious diseases affecting cattle in Africa. Available vaccines are suboptimal with low efficacy, short duration of protection, and a limited compliance by cattle owners due to sporadic severe reactions at the site of injection. Protective host immune responses and the pathogen factors that induce them are largely unknown, which is a great impediment to the development of more efficient vaccines. Also, the bacterial virulence factors are not well understood, with very few virulence factors described. What is known is that CBPP is characterized by immunopathology, with a massive infiltration of neutrophils at the site of infection, the lungs. In this project we will identify bacterial factors that induce immunopathology or host protective immune responses.

The MSc student will perform random genome-wide mutagenesis using transposons to generate a library of bacterial mutants and then utilize already established in vitro cell culture protocols to screen for mutants that fail to phenocopy the wildtype Mmm to identify bacterial factors involved in the initial host-pathogen interaction and dysregulation of the host immune response. We aim towards identifying vaccine candidates that can disrupt the bacteria-induced dysregulation of the host’s immune response

Project title: Identification of virulence factors as novel vaccine targets for CBPP, by whole genome saturated mutagenesis

Key Responsibilities

• Generation of a transposon library of Mmm mutants
• Testing the quality of the library
• Setting up cell culture assays at ILRI
• Sequencing and analyzing selected mutants
• Writing a first draft of the manuscript to published

Position Requirements

• Master’s student in molecular biology or similar
• Experience and strong interest in molecular biology work.
• Problem solving skills
• Data collection and data analysis skills
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Team player

Duration: 12 months
Terms Of Appointment And Stipend

This is an appointment for 12 months. Start date will be agreed with the selected candidate, but ideally from April onwards.

Benefits: ILRI will offer a stipend to cover living expenses in the project location, medical insurance and cover research expenses.