Understanding pneumococcal pathogenesis

Summary Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia and a leading killer of children world-wide. However, it is also commonly found as an asymptomatic coloniser of the upper respiratory tract (carriage). Pneumococcal carriage is an important reservoir for transmission and a precursor to disease.Your research will provide new insights into how pneumococci colonise and cause disease.

Project Details

Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia and a leading killer of children world-wide. However, it is also commonly found as an asymptomatic coloniser of the upper respiratory tract (carriage). Pneumococcal carriage is an important reservoir for transmission and a precursor to disease.

In this project, you will identify novel genes and characterise their role in pneumococcal carriage and/or disease. Key approaches to this project include: genetic manipulation of pneumococcal isolates, working with in vitro and/or in vivo models such respiratory cells from patients grown as air-liquid interface and mouse models, as well as microbiological and immunological analysis of local and systemic samples. Your research will provide new insights into how pneumococci colonise and cause disease.