PhD student mycetoma drug target discovery

Eumycetoma is a tropical neglected infectious disease characterised by massive tumourlike lesions on the foot. In may 2016 it was recognized by the WHO as a neglected tropical disease. Within these lesions the fungal causative agent will form grains which act as a shield for antimicrobial agents. This makes the disease difficult to treat, with a poor therapeutic outcome and 25% of the patients undergoing amputation. In order to improve the treatment of mycetoma, we need to identify novel drug targets.

In this project we are therefore looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate who use a combination of transcriptomic and proteomic approaches to identify fungal genes and proteins involved in mycetoma development. To determine which of these genes are essential for mycetoma development knock-outs will be created. This project is part of a large international consortium and international exchange visits can be part of the project.

During your PhD trajectory you will combine computional analysis and wet-lab experiments. You will be supervised by a supervisor and co-supervisor and have weekly meetings to monitor your progress. You will have the opportunity to present your results internationally within the consortium as well as during international conferences.