MSc by Research: Role and mechanism of the bacterial Type VI secretion system

About the Project

Many species of bacteria use a contractile nanomachine known as the Type VI secretion system (T6SS) to deliver a wide range of toxic proteins, known as ‘effectors’, directly into neighbouring cells. The T6SS plays a key role in the virulence and competitiveness of diverse Gram-negative bacteria, including important human, animal and plant pathogens. In some cases the T6SS can be used to directly attack host cells, as a classical virulence factor. However the primary role of the T6SS is believed to be during inter-bacterial competition, when bacteria use the T6SS to deliver anti-bacterial effectors into other bacterial cells, efficiently killing or disabling competitors. Additionally, we have recently discovered that bacteria can also use T6SS-delivered effectors against microbial fungi, including important fungal pathogens. Anti-microbial T6SSs thus provide a competitive mechanism to allow pathogens to proliferate in polymicrobial infection sites or environmental reservoirs and ultimately cause disease. Understanding T6SS-mediated effector delivery and the lethal consequences of these effectors on targeted cells therefore offers the potential to uncover new ways to kill or inhibit bacterial and fungal pathogens, as well as fundamental insights into the dynamics of polymicrobial communities more broadly.

In the Coulthurst group, we study the roles and regulation of the T6SS, the mechanisms of effector delivery, the nature and mode-of-action of T6SS-dependent effector proteins, and the distribution and evolution of effectors and self-protecting immunity proteins. We utilise a wide range of molecular, cellular, genetic, genomic and structural biology approaches and focus on representative examples of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens.

The MSc project will fall within this area and the specific project undertaken will be developed around a current question or line of research in the group and, where possible, the interests of the student. The student will gain a experience in a variety of molecular, cellular, structural, ‘omics’ and/or bioinformatics approaches as appropriate, in addition to a strong grounding in molecular microbiology. We work with a broad set of collaborators who can provide further access to cutting-edge imaging, analytical and computational approaches.

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.

Please see our website for further details on the programme and how to apply:

Life Sciences MSc by Research MSc by Research (Postgraduate) : Study : University of Dundee

Please note before submitting your application that you must list your top three project choices in the Research Proposal section of the application form.

When you complete your application form, you should include your top 3 project choices, 2 letters of reference, uploaded under "Other Information" > "Supporting documents" and a personal statement. Failure to do so will delay your application.

Please note when submitting an application, please note our intake deadlines on the ‘how to apply’ section of our website.