Exploiting Genomics for Developing Autogenous Vaccines to Control Campylobacter in Poultry

这名学生是一个多学科小组的成员，该小组专注于比较基因组学和对公共卫生具有重要意义的细菌病原体的进化。他们正在通过解释在人类疾病的主要宿主家禽中产生和保持菌株之间的基因和表型多样性所涉及的因素，来研究弯曲杆菌的遗传基础和生态学。比较基因组学和功能基因组学方法正被用于检查遗传结构，并回答关于遗传变异和基因组可塑性如何影响病原体适应和进化的基本问题。生物信息学正在被用于设计疫苗，以控制农场肉鸡中的弯曲杆菌。这名学生负责培养分离株，提取DNA用于遗传特征分析，分析基因组数据，并在实验室中进行分子和功能特征描述。作为该项目的一部分，学生还将在里奇韦生物有限公司(http://www.ridgewaybiologicals.co.uk/))实习三个月，在农场测试之前，他/她将在那里参与自体疫苗的制造。

This student is working as part of a multidisciplinary group focusing on comparative genomics and evolution of bacterial pathogens of public health importance. They are investigating the genetic basis and ecology of Campylobacter by explaining the factors involved in generating and maintaining genotypic and phenotypic diversity among isolates in the primary reservoir of human disease, poultry. Comparative and functional genomics approaches are being used to examine genetic structuring and answer fundamental questions about how genetic variation and genome plasticity influence adaptation and the evolution of pathogens. Bioinformatics is being exploited for the design of vaccines for the control of Campylobacter in broiler chickens on farm. The student is responsible for culturing isolates, extracting DNA for genetic characterisation, analysing genomic data and carrying molecular and functional characterisation in the lab. As part of this project, the student will also spend a three month placement at Ridgeway Biologicals Ltd (http://www.ridgewaybiologicals.co.uk/) where he/she will be involved in the manufacture of autogenous vaccines prior to testing on farm.