Nome da entidade: University of Minho; ICVS – Life and Health Sciences Research Institute; Team: Pathogen Evolutionary Genomics and Experimental Genetics
Morada: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Área de atuação: Pathogen Evolutionary Genomics and Experimental Genetics –
Tipo de estágio: Presencial
Ajuda de custos (Alimentação, deslocação…): Não
Número de estagiários: 3
Breve descrição da entidade: https://icvs.uminho.pt/pathogen-evolutionary-genomics-and-experimental-genetics/
High adaptability to the microenvironment of the human host is an absolute requirement of all microbes that cause human diseases. Successful pathogens such as, Plasmodium falciparum, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, HIV-1 or SARS-CoV-2, while very different in complexity, share the capacity to acquire resistance, avoid elimination by the immune system, replicate or persist within the host and transmit.
The evolutionary and adaptive mechanisms that potentiate their capacity to thrive in the hostile environment of the human host are also involved in the response to antimicrobial treatment expediting the emerge of resistance. These processes are tightly regulated at the level of the genome and epigenome of the pathogens following fundamental molecular biology principals. Understanding the evolution of human pathogens and the use of computation systems biology approaches based on ‘OMICS’ technologies and bioinformatics allows staying ahead of the curve regarding emerging and re-emerging threats posed by infectious disease with emphasis on the challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
Also, applying functional and experimental genetics, that includes the technological breakthroughs of genome editing and modulation of gene expression at the RNA level, the team focus on understanding how pathogen genetic variations impact biological function leading to a functional validation of relevant molecular targets and biomarkers. Most importantly, the seamless integration between evolutionary genomics and experimental genetics has the potential to provide comprehensive novel insights into microbial mechanisms of pathogenicity that might open new avenues toward the design of novel, specific and more effective diagnostic applications, and therapeutics interventions.
Breve descrição do projeto e funções do candidato: The project is focused on functional and experimental genetics, that includes the technological breakthroughs of genome editing tools such as the CRISPR system aiming on understanding how pathogen genetic variations impact biological function leading to a functional validation of relevant molecular targets and biomarkers. Also, project can include the use of computation systems biology approaches based on ‘OMICS’ technologies and bioinformatics to understand the evolution of human pathogens and stay ahead of the curve regarding emerging and re-emerging threats posed by infectious disease with emphasis on the challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
The candidate will be able to choose a more wet lab based experimental genetic approach and/or a more computational based approach. Experimental genetics will involve the standard molecular cloning techniques to construct plasmids with the desirable genetic tool and gene of interest followed by the use of the plasmid through transfection and in vitro cell culture focused on the human malaria parasite. Allying fundamental with clinical research, the candidate will also be able to choose a project focused on the malaria parasite and host genetics across malaria endemic countries, the mutations temporal changes and putative functional implications in drug response, providing evidence base to inform decision-making on optimal treatment programs.
Período de estágio: Minimo 6 semanas
Carga horária: 35 horas semanais flexiveis