Mechanism and evolution of divergent molecular motors in trypanosome parasites – Dr Aakash G. Mukhopadhyay
About the Project
Applications are invited for a 4-year fully funded PhD studentship starting January 2027 in the laboratory of Dr Aakash Mukhopadhyay.
Eukaryotic flagella (aka cilia) are remarkable cellular organelles that enable cells to move, sense their environment, and communicate with surrounding tissues. In humans, defects in these structures cause a wide range of diseases, including retinal degeneration, developmental disorders and obesity. Many microbial pathogens also rely on flagella for survival, transmission and host adaptation.
Among the most fascinating examples are the trypanosomatid parasites, a group that includes the causative agents of leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness. These parasites possess a specialised flagellum that is essential for motility, environmental sensing and successful progression through multiple hosts including humans.
This project will investigate the mechanism of the trypanosome intraflagellar transport (IFT) motors and determine how their architecture supports flagellum assembly and function. You will apply multi-disciplinary approaches from cell biology, parasite genetics, biochemistry and structural biology to uncover fundamental principles governing the function and evolution of these molecular motors.
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