Department of Zoology, University of Oxford
D.Phil studentship: 'Do Endogenous Retroviruses cause disease in
Humans?'
Supervisors: Dr Robert Belshaw and Prof Martin Maiden
Project start: October 2009
Application closing date: 16 February 2009
Project
The human genome sequence contains the remains of 100,000 endogenous
retroviruses (ERVs), which are retroviruses that have been
transmitted from parent to offspring via the germline. The medical
significance of ERVs has been controversial for many years, with
interest now focusing on whether or not the human population today
contains infectious ERV loci [1,2]. This project will determine
definitively if this is the case. This BBSRC studentship links
informally into a new Wellcome Trust-funded project headed by Dr
Robert Belshaw (http://www.zoo.ox.ac.uk/staff/academics/
belshaw_r.htm), which will examine ERV proliferation across all known
genomes. Other scientists involved in this project include Dr Aris
Katzourakis, who recently discovered the first endogenous lentivirus
[3], and Dr Mike Tristem at Imperial College, who pioneered the
evolutionary study of ERVs. We also have a network of collaborators
in place ready to investigate experimentally those loci that we find
to be potentially infective. The studentship project will be jointly
supervised by Professor Martin Maiden, who heads a large established
group within the Zoology Department that specialises in the sequence-
based characterisation and analysis of human pathogens (http://
www.medawar.ox.ac.uk/maiden). The research will include population
genetic analysis of ERV loci in host populations, mining genome
sequences, automated characterisation of ERV loci, and modelling ERV
proliferation and transmission.
1. Moyes et al. (2007) Insertional polymorphisms: a new lease of life
for endogenous retroviruses in human disease. Trends Genetics 23:
326-333.
2. Belshaw et al. (2004) Long-term reinfection of the human genome by
endogenous retroviruses. PNAS 101: 4894-4899.
3. Katzourakis et al. (2007) Discovery and analysis of the first
endogenous lentivirus. PNAS 104: 6261-6265.
Studentship and Application Procedure
Please contact Robert Belshaw initially at
[log in to unmask] or +44 (0)1865 281997. The studentship is
fully funded by the BBSRC and restricted to European Union
applicants. To apply please complete the University application form
(available from: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gsp/) and include two references
from academic referees (follow Notes of Guidance for Applicants to
Graduate Study 2009-2010). Please submit two copies of the
application forms and all supporting material to the Graduate
Administrator, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South
Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS (and NOT the address detailed on the
application form) or apply online. Please quote reference DTG10.
Closing date for applications is 16th February 2009.
______________________________
Dr Robert Belshaw
Lecturer, Department of Zoology
University of Oxford
South Parks Road
Oxford OX1 3PS
Tel.: +44 (0)1865 281997
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