Decoding the molecular switches that control fungal growth and infection (BIDULA_U27DTP)
Key details
- Application Deadline
- 30 November 2026 23:59 UK Time
- Location
- UEA
- Funding Type
- Competition Funded (Home and International)
- Start Date
- 1 October 2027
- Mode of Study
- Full-time
- Programme Type
- PhD
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Project Description
"Fungal infections are responsible for over 1.5 million deaths each year, cause substantial agricultural losses, and are becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to rising antifungal resistance. To develop the next generation of antifungal therapies, we need a better understanding of the fundamental biological processes that enable fungi to grow and cause disease.
This PhD project will investigate the role of unusual DNA and RNA structures known as G-quadruplexes (G4s) in regulating the metabolic changes that occur when fungal spores germinate. Germination is a critical stage in the fungal life cycle, allowing dormant spores to develop into invasive hyphae capable of causing infection and forming drug-resistant biofilms. Using the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus as a model, the project will test the hypothesis that G4s act as molecular switches controlling the metabolic pathways required for successful germination.
The successful candidate will receive multidisciplinary training in molecular microbiology, fungal genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, metabolomics, microscopy and structural biology. They will generate genome-wide maps of G4 formation, engineer targeted mutants, investigate metabolic changes using NMR spectroscopy, and study how these processes influence fungal cell-wall remodelling and antifungal susceptibility.
This project offers the opportunity to work within a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment alongside experts in fungal biology, nucleic acid biology and NMR spectroscopy. The student will be encouraged to present their work at national and international conferences, publish in leading journals, engage in public outreach activities and develop a broad range of transferable research skills.
Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences or a related discipline. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive research environment where everyone can thrive.
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Entry Requirements
At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).
Funding
This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2026/27 stipend rate: £21,805, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.
References
Almeida F, Rodrigues ML, Coelho C. The Still Underestimated Problem of Fungal Diseases Worldwide. Front Microbiol. 2019 Feb 12;10:214. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00214. Fisher MC, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Berman J, Bicanic T, Bignell EM, Bowyer P, Bromley M, Brüggemann R, Garber G, Cornely OA, Gurr SJ, Harrison TS, Kuijper E, Rhodes J, Sheppard DC, Warris A, White PL, Xu J, Zwaan B, Verweij PE. Tackling the emerging threat of antifungal resistance to human health. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2022 Sep;20(9):557-571. doi: 10.1038/s41579-022-00720-1. Warner EF, Bohálová N, Brázda V, Waller ZAE, Bidula S. Analysis of putative quadruplex-forming sequences in fungal genomes: novel antifungal targets? Microb Genom. 2021 May;7(5):000570. doi: 10.1099/mgen.0.000570. Middleton G, Mahamud FO, Storer ISR, Williams-Gunn A, Wostear F, Abdolrasouli A, Barclay E, Bradford A, Steward O, Schelenz S, McColl J, Lézé B, van Rhijn N, da Silva Dantas A, Furukawa T, Warren D, Waller ZAE, Bidula S. Evidence that G-quadruplexes form in pathogenic fungi and represent promising antifungal targets. EMBO Mol Med. 2025 Dec;17(12):3636-3656. doi: 10.1038/s44321-025-00340-1. Subroto E, van Neer J, Valdes I, de Cock H. Growth of Aspergillus fumigatus in Biofilms in Comparison to Candida albicans. J Fungi (Basel). 2022 Jan 4;8(1):48. doi: 10.3390/jof8010048.