PhD in Biosciences And Medicine

Start date: 1 October 2026/nDuration: 3 years/nFunding source: British Skin Foundation/nThis studentship focuses on how innate antiviral responses can block herpes simplex virus infection of human skin by studying infection of keratinocytes and using differentiated stratified 3D-skin models. Techniques mentioned include quantitative real-time PCR, siRNA depletion, and advanced bioimaging (confocal, high throughput and live-cell). The project aims to investigate how keratinocytes sense HSV infection to initiate an antiviral response, how antiviral proteins limit infection in the 3D differentiated skin model, and to delineate host response pathways with a view to harnessing these pathways for future treatment development. The successful applicant will join the Section of Virology at the University of Surrey.