Research Opportunities

Repetition priming (RP) is a basic form of memory, whereby prior exposure to a stimulus facilitates or biases subsequent responses to that stimulus. From a neuropsychological perspective, RP is interesting because it can occur without awareness, and despite the damage to the medial temporal lobe (MTL) system that produces amnesia. Many functional neuroimaging studies using fMRI and MEG/EEG have investigated the brain regions and neuronal dynamics associated with RP. However, the results are complex, depending on several important variables, and suggesting multiple underlying neural mechanisms. Recent computational models provide some insight, and the proposed project will extend these models to a broader range of neuroimaging data, including existing data from intracranial recording in human and non-human primates.

Population genomic approaches across diverse species have traditionally used short read sequence data to investigate population structure and signatures of selection. In the recent past, long reads are more traditionally used to build reference genomes to which the short read data can be aligned and evaluated. However, the cost of long read sequencing as well as the DNA input required to generate high quality long read data is dropping rapidly. We foresee a future where population genomics transitions to long read data.

Using these emerging technologies, this project will begin to evaluate what new insights are gained for the Anopheles gambiae species complex, a set of mosquito species famous as the vector of malaria and known to exhibit porous species boundaries and abundant structural variation.  We anticipate that long-read approaches for haplotype phasing and structural variant discovery will enable much clearer resolution of gene flow within species, introgression between species, and alleles under directional or balancing selection.  Insights gained from this project are likely to influence approaches taken for other species that are known to have similar complexities (e.g., Heliconius butterflies, African cichlid fishes).

This project will involve developing and applying new computational methods for analysing long-read sequencing data in an Anopheles population genomics context. The collaborating laboratories at the Sanger Institute and NHGRI are experts in these respective areas and well-suited to provide the appropriate mentorship.

The opportunistic human pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a commonly-found inhabitant in the airways of patients with chronic respiratory ailments such as COPD and cystic fibrosis (CF). Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate and propionate accumulate to high levels in the airways of these patients. In mutants of P. aeruginosa that are unable to catabolise SCFAs, these compounds are toxic and lead to cessation of growth. In this project, we aim to use fragment-based drug discovery to identify inhibitors of the key enzymes involved in propionate catabolism (PrpB and PrpC) and acetate assimilation (AceA). We have recently solved the x-ray crystal structure of each enzyme, and are supported by the Diamond Light Source to initiate a FBDD programme. Challenges will be to identify high affinity binders with specificity for the intended targets. Cell permeability and efflux of the “hits” will need to be investigated, as will “off target” effects, cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, and likely resistance mechanisms. Species specificity of inhibition will be examined in an in vitro polymicrobial system recently developed in the lab.   

We have an interdisciplinary program with biomaterials, clinicians, surgeons, electrical engineers and chemical engineers to 3D fabricate cochleas with microanatomy similar to living cochleas, embedded with sensors that can sense current spread from cochlear implants, or ion gradients from various inner ear cell types that can generate them. Our goal is to develop these types of constructs, seed them with 3D cultures of various  inner ear cell types and examine how cochlear implants can activate auditory neurones, or how regeneration or pharmacologic support for hearing loss can be developed.  his is in order to develop the next generation of inner ear hearing loss therapies.

We are interested in the transmission of bacterial pathogens and AMR determinants at multiple scales from the within-hospital level to global networks. Projects are possible on many large-scale datasets, primarily using population genomic and phylogenetic approaches to investigate these processes.

We have several lines of research that accommodate excellent PhD candidates. These revolve around the theme of RNA viral pathogens, antibodies/B-cell responses and immunodeficiencies.

The first involves understanding Immune Correlates of protective immunity, specifically which types of B-cell response and their fine specificities are important for protection against specific RNA viral pathogens (RNA viruses from HIV, HCV to Ebola) how B-cell responses to correlate with protection by vaccines to specific pathogens. The 2nd project involves using broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to develop improved and novel vaccines against notoriously variable viruses. The 3rd project involves understanding how the resident virome in primary, acquired or induced immunodeficiencies leads to chronic immune activation and poor prognosis, with an emphasis on mucosal immunity.

We have the largest world-wide collection of patients suffering from rare-inherited immunodeficiency that have been whole-genome sequenced (1500+ cases). Using established analytical expertise the candidate will use novel methods to interrogate and filter potential genetic mutations, we will identify novel candidate genetic loci in patients grouped by disease phenotype or familial relationship. Candidate genetic loci will be investigated using CRISPR-editing of patient derived material (lymphoblastoid, fibroblast and iPS cell lines). Confirmatory studies at mRNA, protein and functional level will be carried out to validate the link between variant and disease.

1. Models of ion channel regulation in single cells and small circuits
2. Modelling robust neuromodulation
3. Regulation and control of neural activity and circuit dynamics

The project aims to develop and exploit high transconductance organic electrochemical transistor-based bio-sensors and ultra-low power thin-film electronics as emerging ICT tools with perfect fit to the targeted application domain. The proposed sensors and interfaces will provide unprecedented ability to detect and monitor small metabolites both in vitro and in vivo, to map immunometabolism of organs and tissues, and to test new drugs in situ.

In this project, we will investigate how different stimuli including IgG-immune complexes and TLR ligands affect the ability of DCs to influence T cell autocrine complement regulation. This is of relevance to our understanding of how inflammation is propagated in autoimmunity and for vaccination boost strategies.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have emerged a major cause of neurological disease and may also contribute to the ageing process – but their origin is not well understood. Remarkably, we have shown that most humans harbour a mixture of mutant and wild-type mtDNA (heteroplasmy) at very low levels. Our aims is to understand how mtDNA mutations arise, how they are inherited, and how they accumulate in specific tissues, particularly in the nervous system. Harnessing this knowledge, we will develop new treatments targeting the mitochondrion.

Invent and implement new radioactive probes for imaging specific molecular targets in animal and human brain with positron emission tomography

The cerebellum is a fascinating brain structure. While it has traditionally been regarded solely as a regulator of motor function, recent studies have demonstrated additional roles for the cerebellum in higher-order cognitive functions such as language, emotion, reward, social behaviour and working memory. Accordingly, cerebellar dysfunction is linked to motor diseases such as ataxia, dystonia and tremor, as well as cognitive affective disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and language disorders.

We understand surprisingly little about the molecular processes that underlie the formation of the cerebellum and that, when disrupted, lead to disease. The goal of our research is to provide fundamental insights into the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern the development and different diseases of the cerebellum with the  ultimate desire to develop novel treatment options for these disorders.

The project will focus on the functional characterization of novel gene mutations causing cerebellar disorders, with particular emphasis on the effects of disease genes on the dendritic arborisation of developing Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. The approach will be multi-disciplinary and employs a variety of methods including functional experiments in cell lines and primary neurons, as well as modelling of identified patient mutations and their effects using stem cells combined with genome engineering. The project is supervised by two experienced investigators with complementary expertise. Research in the Hammer group at NIH will focus on introducing mutations of interest into primary Purkinje cells and to investigate dendritic phenotypes. Research in the Becker group at Oxford will include further functional analyses in Purkinje cells from mutant mouse models, as well as in human induced pluripotent stem cells.

Becker Group website:
https://www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk/research/cerebellar-disease-group

Hammer Group website:
https://irp.nih.gov/pi/john-hammer

The inflammasome consists of a cytosolic NOD-like receptor, an adaptor molecule (ASC) and an effector molecules caspase 1.  Once activated the inflammasome processes inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 beta (IL1B) and IL18 as well as driving an aggressive form of cell death (pyroptosis).  Inflammasomme protein complexes are central to sustaining inflammation in acute diseases (like COVID-19 associated ARDS) or chronic conditions (such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s, diabetes, arthritis).  Patients with rare autoactivating mutations in the NLR proteins have basally active inflammasomes leading to severe autoinflammatory syndromes. How inflammasome complexes form within the cell, particularly in patients with autoactivating mutations in NLRs are poorly understood.  

The aims of this project are as follows:
1.      Identify the molecular mechanisms by which the gain of function mutations causes constitutive activation of the NLRs
2.      Determine why gain of function mutations in different NLRs (NLRP3 and NLRC4) result in differences in inflammasome cytokine production with NLRP3 biased towards IL1B and NLRC4 towards IL18
3.      Visualise how gain of function mutations alter inflammasome formation by visualising the protein complexes at super resolution and atomic resolution

This project will study how the inflammasome forms using state of the art microscopy techniques including live super resolution imaging and cyroelectron microscopy tomography.  The consequences of the gain of function mutations on inflammasome formation will be studied using these techniques in cell lines where the key proteins are tagged and the gain of function mutations introduced by CRISPR/Cas9 (many of which are already available within the laboratory).  This work will be extended to consider cells from patients with these diseases to map back the biology and the imaging onto the cell line models.