Dissecting the molecular events during Jumbophage antibacterial virus infection

Details

Bacteriophage are potentially the most numerous biological entities on planet earth. Their diversity and ability to reveal novel biology as well as their potential to be developed as novel antimicrobials is of great interest currently. Among the bacteriophage a class of large, widespread, antibacterial viruses known as Jumbophage are receiving much attention due to the novel mechanisms they employ in host cell takeover. One type of jumbophage with only limited molecular level knowledge are the Asteriusviruses. These are large (head >130nm) phage with over 500 genes encoded on an ~350kb genome. Our lab discovered the jumbophage SHEFM2K which we showed is a flagellotrophic phage that assembles new viral particles in a cleared cytoplasmic area of host E.coli strains (DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2025.128082 ).

This project aims to dissect the biology of this novel group of jumbophage using a combination of genetics, molecular biology, proteomics, epifluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy. Building on an unpublished RNASeq dataset we have selected a list of candidate phage-host-takeover proteins what we will investigate for effects during overexpression in the host, while also expressing with GFP to examine cellular localisation. We will also generate Resistant mutants to reveal host cell determinants of infection and examine their effect on infection and AMR profiles using Short-read sequencing and SNP detection.

The student will join a vibrant microbiology group in Sheffield and receive a broad training in molecular and microbiology as well as imaging and bioinformatics.

Academically excellent (MSc, BSc 2:1 or above) students in a relevant subject, alongside an enthusiasm for phage biology should informally contact Prof G Stafford.

We welcome enquiries from self and government funded overseas students as we are proud that the group is a multinational team.

For further information contact Professor Graham Stafford for details.

How to apply:

Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form available here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/phd/apply/applying.

Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select ‘School of Clinical Dentistry’ as the department.

Proposed start date - 1st October 2025