Why does the B cell antibody response wane with ageing?

• Funding – BBSRC funded 4year studentship, providing tuition fees, training/research costs and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate, currently £21,805
• Start Date – September 2027
• Applicants are expected to have a degree (equivalent of Honours or Masters) in a relevant discipline. 

B lymphocytes (B cells) are key cells of the adaptive immune system producing antibodies which bind to pathogens such as viruses and bacteria and targeting them for destruction. Short-lived and long-lived antibody producing B cells provide rapid and durable protection against infection and B cells play a vital role in providing an          effective vaccine response. B cell dysfunction is linked to a range of diseases and there is intense interest in understanding the core activities of B cells and how these are   impacted in disease settings and in response to ageing. B cells are protein production factories, with each cell capable of producing up to 10,000 antibodies every second. This is equivalent to each cell producing its own mass in antibodies every day. However, ageing is associated with reduced antibody production, a weaker       vaccine response and increased susceptibility to infection. This project aims to understand the mechanistic basis for ageing associated B cell dysfunction.

Using quantitative mass spectrometry we will map the B cell protein landscape during ageing, identifying the key features that define an ageing B cell. Single cell assays will be employed to monitor B cell signalling pathways and protein synthesis capacity in response to ageing and pharmacological modulation. This project will identify the key regulators of protein synthesis in B cells and map how these change in response to ageing. Ultimately, targets identified in this study may lead to the development of novel strategies for modulating B cell antibody production. This project will provide the ideal opportunity for a PhD student to master a range of molecular and cell biology skills at the forefront of the field including biochemistry, quantitative proteomics, big data, flow cytometry and immune phenotyping. 

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.