As part of the 42nd cycle of PhD programmes, the Department of Life Sciences of the University of Trieste is funding, through Area Science Park (Quantum Project), one PhD scholarship dedicated to the project “Molecular and immunological strategies for Flavivirus intervention” to be carried out at the Virology Unit of Area Science Park, located in Padriciano (Trieste).
This PhD project aims to increase our knowledge on the immunoprofile of flavivirus proteins and develop the next generation of neutralizing antibodies, vaccines, and antiviral peptides against these arboviruses.
The research will focus on one or more of the following areas:
- Immune mapping and discovery: identifying and characterizing high-potency neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to define the “blueprints” of protection.
- Structural dynamics: investigating how amino acid substitutions trigger “viral breathing,” affecting stability and how the virus hides from or reveals itself to the immune system.
- Rational design: utilizing Artificial Intelligence and computational modeling to design synthetic antigens and antiviral peptides with enhanced stability and broader cross-reactivity.
- Biotechnological interventions: Developing innovating delivery systems to express therapeutic molecules, providing a novel avenue for controlling virus transmission at the vector and host level.
For more information on requirements, application procedures, and details of the PhD programme, please refer to the official call available in the dedicated section of the University of Trieste website.
To apply for PhD programmes at the University of Trieste, follow this link → How to enrol to a PhD Programme | University of Trieste (units.it)