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 development 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 biostatistics. 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