PhD Studentship: Investigating the Molecular Mechanisms behind Iron and Siderophore Uptake in Pathogenic Bacteria

Award Summary

100% of home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend (living expenses) of £18,622. 

Overview

Iron is essential for bacterial cells to grow and replicate. Bacteria rely on iron scavenged from their environment for survival and its availability is particularly critical during infection, where the host sequesters iron to hamper pathogen proliferation. Under such iron-limiting conditions bacteria secrete small molecules called siderophores that can capture ionic forms of iron and subsequently transport the iron loaded siderophores inside the cells. Siderophores also function as bacterial virulence factors and influence microbial communities and ecological dynamics. Due to their essential nature as scavengers of iron, siderophores are very attractive vehicles for the transport of antimicrobial compounds. Chemical fusion of antibiotics to siderophores allows for targeted delivery into cell using the bacterium's own transport machinery. By understanding the molecular details of siderophore transport my group aims to devise novel antimicrobial compounds.

Our understanding of the proteins and processes which influence the fate of iron-loaded siderophores once inside the bacterial cell is very limited.

This PhD studentship will focus on the siderophore transport pathways of the clinically important human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The project will use a multidisciplinary approach, including microbiology, biochemistry and structural biology, to investigate the molecular basis for siderophore translocation across bacterial membranes and characterise enzymes involved in siderophore processing and iron assimilation. 

Number Of Awards: 1

Start Date: 16th September 2024

Award Duration: 3 years

Application Closing Date: 16th May 2024

Sponsor: Newcastle University, Faculty Medical Sciences

Supervisors

Dr Kesha Josts 

Prof Bert Van Den Berg

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, in a subject relating to biomedical sciences, including biochemistry and microbiology. Further qualification such as an MRes is advantageous. This studentship is only available to applicants with a Home fee status (UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status and meet the residency criteria).

How To Apply

To apply for a studentship, you must register and apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

• you can search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8420F
• select ‘PhD Biosciences (FT)' as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form
• The studentship code BI075 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• When prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’, then type in the title of the research project from this advert - you do not need to upload a research proposal.

 In addition, before you submit your application you will need to upload the following supporting documentation:

• covering letter and CV. Covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code BI075, state how your interests and experience relate to the project 
• degree transcripts, certificates. If English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification if already completed. 

Contact Details

For more information contact: kesha.josts@newcastle.ac.uk

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