PhD Studentship: Pulling the Plug on Antimicrobial Resistance – Novel Antimicrobial Compounds from The Roman Baths Hot Spring (Bath, UK)

DoS: Dr Lee Hutt (lee.hutt@plymouth.ac.uk)

2^nd Supervisor: Dr Nathaniel Clark (nathaniel.clark@plymouth.ac.uk)

3^rd Supervisor: Dr Kirsty Nicholass (kirsty.matthewsnicholass@plymouth.ac.uk)

4^th Supervisor: Professor Mat Upton (mathew.upton@plymouth.ac.uk)

5^th Supervisor: Dr Robert Puschendorf (robert.puschendorf@plymouth.ac.uk) 

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1^st October 2024.

Project Description 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacterial, fungal and protozoan pathogens is a globally recognised threat to the treatment of infectious diseases. Bacterial infections resistant to therapy led to an estimated 1.27 million deaths in 2019, emphasising the need for discovery and development of new antibiotics. The major source of current antibiotics are natural products (NPs), which are typically biologically active secondary metabolites derived from bacteria and fungi. However, in currently researched environments, such as soil and some marine environments, high-throughput screening has led to continual re-discovery of known NPs, thereby hampering antimicrobial development and strengthening the case for exploration of new ecological niches. 

Hot springs in Jordan, Italy and Fiji have recently demonstrated to host thermophilic bacterial communities with antimicrobial potential but these niches have typically received little attention compared to marine and soil environments, in terms of NP discovery. The Roman Baths are the UK’s only hot spring and have been the subject of several microbiological studies due to the location’s unique environment. However, we are the first group to explore this site for novel antimicrobials and our findings justify a more extensive examination of the microbial ecology and potential for biodiscovery of new chemical matter.

In this exciting project, the successful applicant will use cutting edge shotgun sequencing and traditional culture-based biodiscovery techniques to isolate prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms that will be screened for antimicrobial activity against important human pathogens. Promising compounds will be identified and applied to down-stream processing and development towards pre-clinical evaluation. This will be the first in-depth study of a UK thermal hot spring focused on antimicrobial discovery. The project will be located in laboratories with excellent facilities and the candidate will join an established community of antimicrobial biodiscovery researchers. 

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Lee Hutt lee.hutt@plymouth.ac.uk. 

Eligibility

Applicants should have a First or Upper Second class honours degree in an appropriate subject or a relevant Masters qualification. Experience in bacteriology, liquid chromatography, DNA sequencing and bioinformatics are desirable. 

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent. 

For further information on Funding, please click on the links below: 

• Funding 

To apply for this position please click the Apply button above. 

Please clearly state the name of the studentship project that you are applying for on you’re the top of your personal statement. 

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application. 

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our How to Apply for a Research Degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College. 

The closing date for applications on 26 April 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly after the deadline.

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