Systems immunology and multi-omics approaches to understand protective immunity to human malaria

Systems immunology and multi-omics approaches to understand protective immunity to human malaria

Advisor/s

Professor Denise Doolan

College or Research Centre

Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine

Summary of Project

We invite applications for a PhD position focused on identifying human host factors that predict immune control of malaria. The project will utilise systems-based immunology and multi-omics approaches to profile the host immune response in controlled infection models of malaria at molecular, cellular, transcriptome and proteome-wide scale. The overall aim will be to develop and apply computational/biostatistical approaches, including network theory and machine learning, which integrate genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and molecular immunology to improve our understanding of the host-parasite relationship and predict immune responsiveness and parasite control. Molecular signatures of immunity to malaria will inform the develop¬ment of vaccines, immunotherapies or diagnostic biomarkers. This project will provide an opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge advances integrating diverse fields of high dimensional -omic datasets. It will complement ongoing systems-based and therapeutic development efforts at AITHM directed at malaria and other tropical pathogens. The successful candidate will learn from, and be supported by, a team of researchers in bioinformatics, immunology, molecular sciences and biostatis¬tics. This project is supported by a AITHM funded Stipend Scholarship: $28,000 per annum for three years (full-time study). Further information about this scholarship can be found at https://www.aithm.jcu.edu.au/phd-stipend-scholarship/

Key Words

Malaria; bioinformatics; immunology; vaccine; multi-omics; host-pathogen interaction; R; statistics; sequencing technology

Would suit an applicant who

PhD candidate interested in combining immunology and bioinformatics for advancing malaria therapeutic development.

Updated: 11 Apr 2020