The consequences of influenza a virus infection on macrophage host defence functions again bacterial infection

About the Project

Uncovering How Influenza Turns Bacterial Infections Deadly

Why do influenza pandemics claim so many lives? The answer often isn’t the virus alone, but the lethal synergy between Influenza A Virus (IAV) and secondary bacterial pneumonia. With antibiotic resistance on the rise and IAV constantly mutating, understanding this deadly combination is a global health priority.

Macrophages are critical for phagocytosing and killing microorganisms and regulating inflammation, but IAV can directly infect them and prime them for subsequent bacterial exposure. This PhD project explores the role macrophages in host defense and how infection with IAV can sabotage this important function, making the body more vulnerable to super-infecting bacteria.

The project aims to establish in vitro IAV infection of macrophages and measure the effect on macrophage cell death, and cytokine production, and how IAV infection alters macrophage antibacterial host defence in vitro and in vivo, using a murine IAV infection model, and a subsequent bacterial superinfection. Experiments will involve tissue culture and microbiology techniques and use technologies such as flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and qRT-PCR, and work with murine models of respiratory infection.

Proposed start date: 1st October 2026

Entry Requirements: Candidates must have a first or upper second class honours degree or significant research experience.