The University of Brighton is offering 19 fully funded PhD studentships for 2015 entry.

The project

Antibiotic-resistant infections now account for 25,000 deaths in Europe and 23,000 deaths and over 2 million illnesses in the US, annually. Attention is now focused towards alternative approaches to infection control; bacteriophage therapy, well-established in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union (FSU), is increasingly being considered as one option.

Lytic bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that can infect and kill bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant ones. They do not infect human cells. Phages enter and then multiply within their host bacterium before bursting from the cell which is killed in the process. Phage particles are thus released to continue to infect and kill any remaining bacterial cells. Much expertise has been amassed in the use of phages to kill bacteria in vitro.

One area that has received limited attention, but that will gain in importance as phage use becomes further established, is the incorporation of phages into medical materials to provide an antibacterial effect on contact of that material with the target bacterium. Such biomaterials could respond to an emergent infection before the clinical signs are evident, with potential to greatly improve patient prognosis. Phage-impregnated materials could be used as medical implants and in applications relevant to hospital hygiene. However, there are also clear industrial and biotechnological applications for materials that are loaded with biological agents that can quickly prevent deleterious microbial action following contamination events. It is intended that a technology platform for future exploitation will be established by the end of the project.

We intend to incorporate phages with efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other pathogenic bacteria (including antibiotic resistant forms) into a range of biomaterials. Such materials will include biodegradable and biocompatible films and highly porous cryogels which the successful applicant will synthesise in the laboratory. This project is intended to establish the stability and infective capacity of the immobilised phage using a range of microbiological techniques. Through judicious molecular design, the release characteristics of the phage from the material will be modified to achieve optimal infective capability and therefore enhanced antibacterial control. Material structure and phage distribution and integrity will be viewed using a range of image analysis techniques, including CLSM, SEM, cryoSEM and TEM.

The successful applicant will be offered a placement of up to 2 months at the leading Blond McIndoe Research Foundation in East Grinstead in order to appreciate the clinical perspective, and to underpin the relevance of the proposed research. 

Supervisors

Lead: Dr Iain Allan

Second: Prof Stephen Denyer

Third: Dr Cressida Bowyer

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree and desirably hold or expect to achieve excellent grades in a masters degree, in a relevant subject.

Applicants are also required to submit a 1,000-word research proposal.

Funding

For UK and EU students this studentship comprises £4,620 per year to cover annual tuition fees and a contribution towards living expenses of £15,480 per year.

For students from outside of the UK/EU the funding will comprise £14,130 per year to cover annual international tuition fees and a contribution towards living expenses of £6,170 per year.

How to apply

Find out more and apply online

Deadline for applications: 26 February 2015, 4pm

+44 (0)1273 761148
brighton-doctoral-college<στο>brighton.ac.uk