Introduction
PhD Graduate Student Position -
Flavivirus Vaccine Development
Position
Start Date: The position will remain
open until filled.
Experimental increase of CpG dinucleotides in an RNA virus genome impairs infection providing a promising approach for vaccine development. While CpG recoding is an emerging and promising vaccine approach, little is known about infection phenotypes caused by recoded viruses in vivo. In our recent study (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2019.03077/full), we generated several Zika virus variants with the increasing CpG content and compared infection in neonatal and adult mice. Increasing the CpG content caused host-age-dependent attenuation of infection with considerable attenuation in neonates and high attenuation in adults. Zika virus variants with the increased CpG content evoked robust cellular and humoral immune responses and protection against lethal challenge.
The candidate will use Zika virus to fine-tune CpG recoding approach and develop optimal vaccine candidates that will not cause brain infection in neonatal mice but retain immunogenicity and protective efficacy in adult mice. Subsequently, the candidate will test whether this recoding technology can be used to generate vaccine candidates against other flaviviruses—e.g., dengue virus, West Nile virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus. The candidate will use a multidisciplinary approach which includes advanced animal models, molecular virology, bioinformatics, and immunological methods. This project will provide excellent training for a candidate who desires to pursue a career in scientific research.
Financial Support: The project is fully funded and the candidate will be provided a stipend, but will also be expected to apply for internal and external scholarships.
Research Advisor: Uladzimir Karniychuk. For more information, visit:
https://www.vido.org/team/project-leaders-veterinarians/uladzimir-karniychuk
Experimental increase of CpG dinucleotides in an RNA virus genome impairs infection providing a promising approach for vaccine development. While CpG recoding is an emerging and promising vaccine approach, little is known about infection phenotypes caused by recoded viruses in vivo. In our recent study (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2019.03077/full), we generated several Zika virus variants with the increasing CpG content and compared infection in neonatal and adult mice. Increasing the CpG content caused host-age-dependent attenuation of infection with considerable attenuation in neonates and high attenuation in adults. Zika virus variants with the increased CpG content evoked robust cellular and humoral immune responses and protection against lethal challenge.
The candidate will use Zika virus to fine-tune CpG recoding approach and develop optimal vaccine candidates that will not cause brain infection in neonatal mice but retain immunogenicity and protective efficacy in adult mice. Subsequently, the candidate will test whether this recoding technology can be used to generate vaccine candidates against other flaviviruses—e.g., dengue virus, West Nile virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus. The candidate will use a multidisciplinary approach which includes advanced animal models, molecular virology, bioinformatics, and immunological methods. This project will provide excellent training for a candidate who desires to pursue a career in scientific research.
Financial Support: The project is fully funded and the candidate will be provided a stipend, but will also be expected to apply for internal and external scholarships.
Research Advisor: Uladzimir Karniychuk. For more information, visit:
https://www.vido.org/team/project-leaders-veterinarians/uladzimir-karniychuk
Required
Skills
A Master’s degree in biomedical or
other relevant sciences with strong proven experience with virology methods.
The candidate must be 1) highly motivated and creative, 2) diligent, including a willingness to support research experiments on weekends when required and 3) excellent in verbal and written English skills. The candidate may be required to work under high-security biocontainment level-3 conditions after extensive training. The successful candidate will be required to undergo and clear a reliability status screening assessment, background check, and a criminal record check.
The candidate must be 1) highly motivated and creative, 2) diligent, including a willingness to support research experiments on weekends when required and 3) excellent in verbal and written English skills. The candidate may be required to work under high-security biocontainment level-3 conditions after extensive training. The successful candidate will be required to undergo and clear a reliability status screening assessment, background check, and a criminal record check.
Company
Interested candidates must submit
electronically, one single application document (pdf file) that includes 1) a
letter of motivation, 2) a complete curriculum vitae (CV), 3) a copy of
graduate transcripts, and 4) contact information for individuals willing to
provide references, to u.karniychuk@usask.ca
VIDO-InterVac and the University of Saskatchewan is strongly committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As such, applications from those who will contribute to the diversity of our community are welcome and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
VIDO-InterVac and the University of Saskatchewan is strongly committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As such, applications from those who will contribute to the diversity of our community are welcome and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
For more information,
visit: https://vido-intervac.humi.ca/job-board/uncategorized/1481
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