Beyond Immunity: Uncovering the Hidden Diversity of Bacterial NLRs (SCHLIMPERT_J26DTP)

Join us in exploring the hidden functions of ancient immune proteins in bacteria.

Bacteria, like plants and animals, have evolved sophisticated systems to detect and respond to threats. Among them is a fascinating family of proteins known as NLRs (nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain-like receptors). While well-studied in plants and animals for their roles in immunity, the full scope of NLR function in bacteria remains largely unknown.

This PhD project will investigate NLRs in Streptomyces, which are multicellular, antibiotic-producing bacteria that encode an unusually rich set of these proteins. Recent findings from our lab show that these NLRs are linked to diverse cellular processes, some of which appear to have little to do with immunity at all.

You will explore how these proteins work to shape bacterial behaviour, development, or antibiotic production, what signals they respond to, and how they may have evolved from or contributed to immune systems across different domains of life.

The project will suit a motivated student with an interest in molecular microbiology and computational biology. You will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment with access to cutting-edge tools in genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics.

Informal enquiries to susan.schlimpert@jic.ac.uk are welcome.