Immune cells detect bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through the non-canonical inflammasome (NCI). LPS can be sensed internally, by guanylate-binding proteins, leading to the activation of caspase 4 and 5. This sensing ultimately leads to inflammatory cytokine production and the induction of pyroptosis, an inflammatory form of lytic cell death, protecting the body against infections. The Boucher Lab identified a previously undescribed pathway of LPS sensing, which does not require the NCI. This suggests that alternative LPS sensing mechanisms can also drive programmed cell death, but we do not understand how this works. The successful candidate will investigate the type of cell death induced by this novel LPS sensing pathway using western blotting to detect the activation of caspases and other markers such as cytochrome C and phosphatidylserine (apoptosis), lipid peroxidation (ferroptosis), and inflammatory cytokine production (pyroptosis). The student will receive hands-on training to use plate readers, fluorescent microscopes and flow cytometers. The candidate will also learn principles of experimental design and hone scientific communication skills, by writing up and presenting their work. Students will need to find their own accommodation and be expected to present their findings orally at a research day in York in September 2025.