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From listmasteranimalgenome.org  Fri Jan 25 07:37:07 2019
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From: "Michal Vinkler" <michal.vinklernatur.cuni.cz>
Postmaster: submission approved by list moderator
To: Members of AnGenMap <angenmapanimalgenome.org>
Subject: PhD position: avian evolutionary immunology at Charles
       University, Prague
Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2019 07:37:07 -0600

PhD project topic: “Variation in immune-related genes and their
microbiota-associated evolution in parrots”

Animal immune systems tightly co-evolve with microbiota colonising host
tissues. Our previous research has shown that receptor systems involved
in avian inflammation exhibit high levels of putatively functional
genetic polymorphism. In humans host genetic variation has been shown
to influence gut microbiota and its interactions with immunity. Parrots
represent the most common bird pets kept by humans. Compared to
mammals, strikingly little attention has been paid to parrot
microbiological and immunological research. Understanding the
relationships between immune-related genotypes and co-evolving
microbial community structures is crucial for identification of general
mechanisms forming interspecific and intraspecific variation in
microbial effects on host health. In practical terms, this insight is
needed for targeted therapy in parrots.

The aim of this PhD project is to investigate genetic variation in
candidate immune-related genes essential for microbial detection and
signalling (e.g. MHC class II, bacterial-sensing TLRs, cytokines) in
parrots. Using sequences obtained by transcriptomic analysis and
targeted sequencing a selection analysis and structural modelling will
be performed to identify positions candidate for functional effects on
host-microbiota interactions. Finally, an association study linking
this predicted functional variation to microbial data obtained from
captive parrots will be performed. The topic is ambitious, novel and
relevant in international context.

Requirements: Candidates should have a strong interest in avian
evolutionary biology, immunology and molecular genetics. MSc degree in
biology (immunology, zoology, genetics or related fields) and good
English language skills required. For the formal requirement please
check the STRAS web page (http://www.stars-natur.cz/).

Offers: We offer a fully funded PhD position for four years starting
from 1st October 2019. The total monthly scholarship will be 20.500 CZK
(10.500 state-guaranteed scholarship + 10 000 CZK STARS allowance). The
PhD student will be part of a young and enthusiastic interdisciplinary
team (http://web.natur.cuni.cz/...diversity/eei/people).
Despite close collaboration with several co-workers, the project allows
independent intellectual input. We expect at least three articles being
published in the course of the study in international peer-review
journals. Active participation at international scientific conferences
will be encouraged and supported.

Application: Applications are submitted through the STARS application
system (http://www.stars-natur.cz/application). Applications via postal
service or e-mail will not be considered.

Links: For further information see the EEI group web page
(http://web.natur.cuni.cz/...gie/biodiversity/eei), STARS web page
(http://www.stars-natur.cz/) and the web of the Faculty of Science,
Charles University (https://www.natur.cuni.cz/eng?set_language=en) or
contact Dr. Michal Vinkler at michal.vinklernatur.cuni.cz (no
applications).

About: Charles University was founded in 1348, making it one of the
oldest universities in the world. Yet it is also renowned as a modern,
dynamic, cosmopolitan and prestigious institution of higher education.
It is the largest and most renowned Czech university, and it is also
the best-rated Czech university according to international rankings.
There are 17 faculties at the University, plus 3 institutes and 6 other
centres. The Faculty of Science was established in 1920 as the fifth
faculty of Charles University. It currently has 29 departments, 3
museums and a Botanical Garden. The Laboratory for Evolutionary and
Ecological Immunology (team leader Dr. Michal Vinkler) at the
Department of Zoology is oriented at research in animal defence against
infectious diseases, animal immunology, immunogenetics (e.g., innate
immunity receptors, antimicrobial peptides, to lesser extent acquired
immunity molecules such as MHC) and investigation of functionally
relevant variability in the ecological context. Our strength is in
application of the evolutionary medicine theory and methodological
approaches of evolutionary biology (including tests of natural
selection acting on individual genetic variants involving predictions
of protein functional changes in response to pathogen-mediated
selective pressures). We use non-model avian species and traditional
poultry breeds for our investigation. This project is a collaborative
project with Laboratory of Sensory and Evolutionary Neurobiology (team
leader Dr. Pavel Němec) that performs research in the fields of
comparative vertebrate neuroanatomy and neurobiology. The research
facility is located at the very centre of Prague being ideally situated
for interaction with several other internationally recognised
institutions.

We look forward to receiving your on-line application until 15th March
2019.

Kind regards,

Michal Vinkler

--
RNDr. Michal Vinkler, PhD
______________________________________________________
Laboratory for Evolutionary and Ecological Immunology
Division of Animal Evolutionary Biology
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science
Charles University
Vinicna 7, CZ 128 44 Praha 2
Czech Republic, EU
e-mail: michal.vinklernatur.cuni.cz
tel: +420221951845
fax: +420221951841
http://web.natur.cuni.cz/...ie/biodiversity/eei/


 
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