Developing new vaccines against trichomonad parasites of livestock (Liverpool)
Finding solutions to veterinary diseases that increase agricultural productivity and prevent the suffering of animals is crucial to how we feed the global population in the coming century. In this project we are seeking a new vaccine to bovine trichomoniasis, an important parasitic disease of cattle worldwide. We will use the latest technologies for DNA and protein sequencing in combination with sophisticated evolutionary analyses to produce a cohort of vaccine candidates, that is, parasite proteins that could provide long-lasting protection against bovine trichomoniasis when used to vaccinate cattle. This reverse genetics approach begins by understanding the parasite genome to capture all possible antigens, before testing these computationally and experimentally to select the most plausible candidates. This project will improve our understanding of how parasites cause disease, while laying the basis for an effective, commercial vaccine. It is an opportunity to make a real impact on veterinary disease and the well-being of farmed animals, while obtaining the skills for a career at the forefront of biomedical or biotechnological research.