- Fully funded Wellcome Trust Integrative Infection Biology PhD programme
Immunology research includes cytokine and chemokine biology, immune cell signalling, advanced imaging technologies, and cellular & gut immunology. Our translational efforts are focused on rheumatoid arthritis, dermatology, respiratory & central nervous system immune & inflammatory diseases.
- PhD: 3-4 years full-time; 5 years part-time;
- MSc (Research): 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time;
- MD (Doctor of Medicine): 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time;
- IPhD: 5 years full-time;
Apply now
Research projects
Research projects
Investigating Immune Pathways in Cardiovascular Diseases
Supervisor: Dr Pasquale Maffia
Project outline: Immune responses play key roles in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. By using a broad range of vascular, immunological and omics techniques we aim to study the net contribution of specific immune pathways to CVD in humans and experimental models.
Techniques to be used: The project will provide training in both vascular biology and immunology, including flow cytometry, microscopy and single-cell omics.
References
School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA
Investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the cellular decision to initiate inflammation
Supervisors: Thimo Kurz , Ruaidhri Carmody
Project outline: The ability of the innate immune system to discriminate between stimuli that pose little danger and those that threaten the host is a key determinant of human health. The concentration of microbial-associated molecules that activates an innate inflammatory response is determined by the activation threshold of key signalling pathways. This is an important mechanism used by innate immune cells to distinguish between threats that should be tolerated and those that require a strong inflammatory response.
This project is based on our recent findings that the stability of TPL-2 (MAP3K8), a key activator of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, controls the cellular decision to respond to inflammatory stimuli. Our studies so far have identified the nucleus as the key site regulating the stability of TPL-2.
This project will investigate the regulation MAPKs in the nucleus during innate immune cell responses; explore novel functions of MAPKs in the nucleus; and investigate the impact of altering MAPK activation on cellular responses to inflammatory stimuli. The findings will provide fundamental insights into the regulation of the cellular response to inflammatory stimuli and contribute to the development of novel strategies for the therapeutic control of inflammation.
Summary aim: This project will investigate regulation and function of MAPKs in the nucleus during innate immune cell activation.
Techniques: CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, molecular biology (including site directed mutagenesis), chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, cell culture, real-time PCR
References
T cell/APC interactions and immunological decisions
Supervisors: Prof James Brewer , Prof Paul Garside
Project outline: It is becoming clear that the duration, frequency, and intensity of T cell/APC interactions, determines the induction of immunological tolerance versus priming. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms regulating cellular interactions in vivo remain unclear. We contend that spatiotemporal context has a critical influence on T/APC interactions and consequently the induction, maintenance and/or control of immune responses. For example, we have recently shown that the duration and magnitude antigen presentation and the subsequent T cell/APC interaction can influence differentiation of T cells to the Tfh phenotype responsible for driving B cell antibody production. Consequently, cellular and molecular interactions must be carefully choreographed in space and time to provide normal immune function giving protection against infection while avoiding autoimmunity. On the other hand, dysregulated spatiotemporal expression of molecules involved in T cell/APC interactions may result in pathology.
Summary aim:
Techniques to be used: High content (INCELL) imaging, Live in vitro microscope, Intravital multiphoton microscopy
References
The NF-ĸB transcription factor
Supervisor: Ruaidhri Carmody
Project outline: The NF-ĸB transcription factor is a master regulator of the immune response and plays a critical role in inflammatory disease by mediating the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. The NF-ĸB-directed transcription of genes that promote cell survival and proliferation also implicates it as an important factor in cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. The key roles for NF-ĸB in the pathogenesis of these and other diseases have established it as an important therapeutic target, which to date remains unharnessed. Previous strategies focussed on inhibiting the IKK kinases, critical activators of NF-ĸB, have failed to make clinical impact due to severe side-effects, and so new approaches to targeting NF-ĸB for therapeutic benefit are required. This project aims to exploit the regulation of NF-ĸB by the ubiquitin proteasome system in order to inhibit NF-ĸB mediated inflammatory responses. The ubiquitin-triggered proteasomal degradation of NF-ĸB is a major limiting factor in the expression of pro-inflammatory genes. We have previously identified the deubiquitinase USP7 as a key regulator of NF-ĸB transcriptional activity by reversing NF-ĸB ubiquitination and preventing its proteasomal degradation. We have extended these initial findings to identify a distinct NF-ĸB binding site in USP7 that selectively mediates the interaction of USP7 with NF-ĸB. We hypothesise that this binding site could be targeted to selectively inhibit NF-ĸB-directed inflammatory responses by promoting its ubiquitination and degradation. This project is a structure-function based study of the USP7 and NF-ĸB interface that will define the NF-ĸB binding site and the functional impact of its disruption. The results will facilitate the rational structure-led design of substrate-selective inhibitors of USP7 to inhibit NF-kB mediated inflammatory responses.
Summary aim: This project will investigate the potential to inhibit inflammation by inhibiting the deubiquitination of NF-κB by USP7.
Techniques to be used: CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, molecular biology (including site directed mutagenesis), protein purification and X- ray crystallography, proteomics and transcriptomics.
Contact: [email protected] , Sir Graeme Davies Building, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Room B/316, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA Tel: 0141 330 5945
Also see www.carmodylab.org
Understanding the regulation of inflammation by the ubiquitin system
Supervisors: Thimo Kurz , Ruaidhri Carmody
Project outline: Inflammatory responses rely on an intricate network of signalling events, which ensure that cells respond appropriately to insults, such as infections, toxic compounds, or cell damage. These responses need to be tightly controlled to prevent over- or under activation that could lead to disease. The ubiquitin pathway, which is a versatile post-translational protein modification system, is a major regulator of inflammatory signalling and this project is aimed at understanding the molecular details of how the ubiquitin system regulates inflammation.
We have identified a number of components of the ubiquitin system that are directly involved in the inflammatory response. With this project we will investigate where in the pathways this regulation occurs and how it is mediated on a molecular level, with the ultimate aim to identify new nodes of intervention to treat inflammatory disease.
The successful candidate will be trained in state-of-the-art technology, including CRISPR gene editing, protein mass spectrometry and primary human cell culture under the joint supervision of two experts in the field of inflammation and ubiquitin signalling, respectively.
References
Overview
Overview
The immune system provides vital protection against infection, and can be manipulated by vaccination to provide life-long resistance to pathogens. However, immune and inflammatory responses also make a major contribution to a spectrum of human pathologies, from chronic inflammatory disease, allergy and autoimmunity, neuroinflammatory disorders and brain immune interactions, to heart disease and cancer.
Research in the Centre for Immunobiology within the School of Infection and Immunity is focused on generating a molecular and cellular understanding of the immune system in health and disease, and applying this knowledge to the development of novel therapeutics. This is built on close interactions between an excellent cohort of scientists and clinicians within the Centre, and on the networks of collaborators they have established with researchers in the rest of the School, elsewhere in the university, and further afield.
Our staff and students benefit from access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities in the Sir Graeme Davis building at the heart of the university and in clinical units in hospitals across Glasgow. We have expertise in a broad range of techniques, including molecular biology, ‘Omics, cell biology, multiparameter flow cytometry, intravital imaging, and in vivo models of disease, and these approaches allow us to explore the immune system at the molecular, cellular and whole organism level.
The PhD programme in immunobiology is based on individual research projects covering an exciting range of topics, with specific areas of interest including (in alphabetical order):
- atherosclerosis
- bioinformatics
- cancer and leukaemia
- chemokines and cell migration
- cytokine biology
- dendritic cell biology
- imaging the immune response
- infectious disease
- intestinal immunity
- intracellular signalling and transcriptional regulation
- lymphocyte biology
- neuroimmunology, including repair strategies forbrain repair following immunologically mediated injury (Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome) and spinal cord injury using glial/stem cell transplantation and antibody profiling
- osteoimmunology
- rheumatology
- tissue injury and repair; focus on regenerative medicine
Study options
Study options
PhD
- Duration: 3/4 years full-time; 5 years part-time
Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators.
Integrated PhD programmes (5 years)
Our Integrated PhD allows you to combine masters level teaching with your chosen research direction in a 1+3+1 format.
International students with MSc and PhD scholarships/funding do not have to apply for 2 visas or exit and re-enter the country between programmes. International and UK/EU students may apply.
Year 1
Taught masters level modules are taken alongside students on our masters programmes. Our research-led teaching supports you to fine tune your research ideas and discuss these with potential PhD supervisors. You will gain a valuable introduction to academic topics, research methods, laboratory skills and the critical evaluation of research data. Your grades must meet our requirements in order to gain entry on to your pre-selected PhD research project. If not, you will have the options to pay outstanding MSc fees and complete with masters degree only.
Years 2, 3 and 4
PhD programme with research/lab work, completing an examinable piece of independent research in year 4.
Year 5
Thesis write up.
MSc (Research)
- Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
MD (Doctor of Medicine)
- Duration: 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time (for medically-qualified graduates only)
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:
TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)
- 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18;Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- Oxford ELLT 7
- R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
- W&S: OIDI level no less than 6
Trinity College Tests
Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
Fees and funding
Fees and funding
Fees
2024/25
- UK: £4,786
- International & EU: £30,240
Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.
Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.
- Fee status and policies
Alumni discount
We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed Junior Year Abroad, Exchange programme or International Summer School with us. The discount is applied at registration for students who are not in receipt of another discount or scholarship funded by the University. No additional application is required.
Possible additional fees
- Re-submission by a research student £540
- Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
- Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790
Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.
Funding
The iPhD is not supported by University of Glasgow Scholarship/Funding
- BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnerships
- External funding information
- Three-year funded full time PhD programme within the Arthritis Research UK Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis Centre of Excellence
Support
Support
The College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences Graduate School provides a vibrant, supportive and stimulating environment for all our postgraduate students. We aim to provide excellent support for our postgraduates through dedicated postgraduate convenors, highly trained supervisors and pastoral support for each student.
Our overarching aim is to provide a research training environment that includes:
- provision of excellent facilities and cutting edge techniques
- training in essential research and generic skills
- excellence in supervision and mentoring
- interactive discussion groups and seminars
- an atmosphere that fosters critical cultural policy and research analysis
- synergy between research groups and areas
- extensive multidisciplinary and collaborative research
- extensive external collaborations both within and beyond the UK
- a robust generic skills programme including opportunities in social and commercial training
Research environment
If you study with us, you will join a community of 26 postgraduate taught and 150 postgraduate research students. Our School of Infection and Immunity brings together world-leading basic, applied, clinical and translational researchers to study infection with a focus on the viral, parasitic and bacterial pathogens of both humans and animals, and immunology and inflammation with a focus on chronic inflammatory diseases.
Despite the continual development of new therapies, antibiotics and vaccines, chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases still pose persistent health threats. We aim to:
- understand the basic science of the immune systems and how the immune system can inturn affect disease outcome understand the biology of parasites, viruse and bacteria and the interactions with their hosts, that in turn leads to high levels of infectious diseases worldwide
- develop therapies (drugs and vaccines) targeted on these processes
- explore new treatments and strategies in clinical and translational medicine
Research centres
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology
- ARUK Centre for Experimental Arthritis Research
We offer a wide range of cutting-edge research facilities, including:
- core facilities in fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis
- histology and state-of-the-art imaging
- IVIS imaging system
- high content screening microscopy
- mass spectrometry
- an X-ray capable FX Pro bioluminescence imaging system
- a protein purification service
- a wide range of molecular, immunological and biochemical analysis tools
These excellent facilities underpin a bench to bedside approach that will equip you with training complementary to a range of career options, and you can tailor your study pathway to the precise aspects of infection and immunology that suit your objectives. Through their research interests in drug development, vaccines and diagnostics, many of our project supervisors have strong links with industry.
How to apply
How to apply
Identify potential supervisors
All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.
You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search .
IPhD applicants do not need to contact a supervisor, as you will choose from a list of IPhD projects. Each project has named supervisors.
Gather your documents
Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:
Notes for iPhD applicants
- add 'I wish to study the MSc in (select MSc from IPhD project choices) as the masters taught component of the IPhD' in the research proposal box
- For supervisor name, please ensure you write the named supervisors from your chosen IPhD project.
Apply now
Contact us
Before you apply
PhD/MSc/MD: email [email protected]
iPhD: email [email protected]
After you have submitted your application
PhD/MSc/MD/iPhD: contact our Admissions team
Any references may be submitted by email to: [email protected]
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