Understanding how host-fungal interactions drive gut fibrosis in Crohn’s disease
About the Project
We are seeking a graduate with strong interest in inflammatory diseases, prior experience in a relevant field (Immunology / Microbiology / Bioengineering), and at least a 2:1 honours degree, to join the lab of Dr Neil McCarthy at The Blizard Institute. This multidisciplinary research group includes both laboratory scientists and clinical researchers focused on host-microbe interactions in the human intestine, and how these dynamics can promote the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis).
Chronic gut inflammation can disrupt the tissue healing process and cause serious complications of IBD such as fibrosis, for which surgery is often the only treatment option. While the host immune response to gut bacteria is known to play a critical role in fibrostenotic IBD, it remains poorly understood how intestinal fungi influence this process. The current project will therefore adapt a novel 3D-printed gut model to study how invasive fungi interact with the human mucosal barrier, tissue fibroblasts, and resident immune cells to drive fibrosis. Initial work will focus on in vitro profiling of fibroblast and monocyte fibrogenic responses to human gut-derived strains of C. albicans, while also performing material characterisation of the 3D models to determine tissue stiffness and matrix deposition. Multiplex imaging will then be used to spatially map fibrotic pathways within the 3D human intestine models. Once validated, these systems will provide powerful new tools for anti-fibrotic drug development and testing.
This project will be based in The Blizard Institute which provides a highly stimulating scientific environment and state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities.
Candidates should be available to start in September 2026 or shortly thereafter.
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