DEAD-box helicases play a crucial role in RNA metabolism and implicated in various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions. They function in gene expression, immune response and genome stability and their dysregulation can disrupt normal cellular processes. It is now emerging they also play an important role in virus infection. This is reinforced by our exciting data showing that multiple DEAD-box helicases are sequestered into a virus-induced nuclear condensate during Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection. This condensate, termed a virus-modified paraspeckle is essential for virus replication and functions as a hub for viral and cellular RNA processing. Understanding the intricate interplay between DEAD-box helicases and viruses will therefore provide novel insights into DEAD-box helicase multifunctionality, opening opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
Aims: We will examine how DEAD-box helicase function is hijacked by a virus, and how this relates to disease, addressing the following key aims:
1: Which DEAD-box helicases are essential for efficient virus replication
2: What role do they play in viral and cellular RNA processing
3: Assess DEAD-box helicase inhibitors as novel antiviral reagents.
This will reveal the mechanistic and functional concepts that underpin virus-mediated manipulation of multiple DEAD-box helicases It will transform our understanding of how dysregulation of this family of RNA-binding proteins relates to disease. It will also lay the foundations for new therapeutic targets and strategies for an oncogenic virus.
This project is highly interdisciplinary. DEAD-box helicase function is not fully understood, but they have suggested roles in a wide range of physiological processes. Therefore, to understand the intricate interplay between viruses and DEAD-box helicases requires a diverse interdisciplinary approach incorporating virology, RNA biology, cell biology and a wide range of cutting-edge interdisciplinary techniques such as super-resolution microscopy, CLIP-seq and CRISPR-Cas9 approaches, as well as more standard cell biology and virology approaches.
Research group websites and links:
For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Professor Adrian Whitehouse[a.whitehouse@leeds.ac.uk]
The YBDTP brings together world-class bioscience research and innovation, as well as excellence in doctoral supervision, across the Yorkshire and Teesside region. The YBDTP will fund postgraduate researchers at the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam and Teesside forming a strong regional training partnership. In YBDTP you'll benefit from a regional doctoral training programme that has interdisciplinary collaboration at its core. The aim is to enable you to develop a range of research skills in biological, biotechnology and biochemical areas as well as equip you with core data analysis and professional skills that are necessary for bioscience research and related non-academic careers.
https://www.yorkshirebiosciencedtp.ac.uk
Eligibility:
Open to International (including EU) and UK (home) students.
You can apply if you have, or are expecting to gain, at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this programme, we welcome applications if your background is in any biological, chemical or physical science or mathematics and are interested in using your skills in addressing biological questions. International students should check if they meet the entry requirements for the host university.
We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK and are able to offer a very limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international (EU and non-EU) applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the highly competitive nature of this scheme.
The YBDTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.
Not all projects will be funded; a limited number of candidates will be appointed via a competitive process.
English language: If English isn't your first language, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. Please see the English language requirements for the host university
Entry requirements | University of Leeds.
How to apply:
Application deadline: 5pm (UK time), Wednesday 7th January 2026
To submit your application, click on the link to the Expression of Interest form in the Funding Notes section of any of your chosen projects. You can apply for up to two YBDTP projects (which can be at different universities).
If you have any questions about the application process, email [YBDTP@leeds.ac.uk].
If you have any questions about the project you are interested in, email the project supervisor.
How we allocate:
Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and successful applicants will be notified promptly. If you're shortlisted, you'll be invited for an interview on a date to be confirmed in February 2025. You'll be notified as soon as possible after the interview dates whether your application has been successful, placed on a reserve list or unsuccessful. If you are successful, you'll be required to confirm your intention to accept the studentship within 10 days.
Terms and conditions:
The studentships are fully funded for four years, and you must complete your PhD in four years.
You'll receive the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stipend is tax free and does not need to be paid back.
International students will need to have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their student visa, NHS health surcharge, travel insurance and travel to the UK as these are excluded from UKRI funding.