Applications are invited for a post-doctoral position to work with Dr Matthias Trost on a project aimed at studying cell signalling events affecting phagosome maturation. Phagosomes are organelles formed by the uptake of particulate material by specialised phagocytic cells such as macrophages. After internalisation, newly formed phagosomes engage in a maturation process leading to the formation of phagolysosomes within which the foreign matter is degraded. Microbe degradation in the phagosome produces antigens which are presented at the cell surface to activate specific lymphocytes and to elicit appropriate immune responses, linking innate to adaptive immunity. Our understanding of phagosome biology is of great importance as several pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis are able to inhibit phagosome maturation.

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