Determining the role of bacteriophages in the biology of emerging human pathogen Elizabethkingia meningoseptica as suitable therapeutics or cause for concern.

This project provides an annual stipend of £19,237. 

Project advert

This project investigates the role of bacteriophages on the biology of the MDR emerging human bacterial pathogen Elizabethkingia meningoseptica. Bacteriophages are viruses which specifically infect bacterial cells, and impact the bacterial biology in varied and wide-ranging ways depending on the type of phage and bacteria. For instance, virulent phages can infect in a lytic manner, ultimately killing the cell through lysis, and temperate phages can establish a maintained infection in the cell, undergoing replication alongside the bacterial cell. In either infection mode, phages can introduce novel genes to the bacterial cell as well as differentially regulate the cells’ own genes thus altering both genotype and phenotype of the cell in multiple and diverse ways.

This project specifically aims to determine the impacts of phages infecting this pathogenic bacterial species with a focus on phage infection dynamics to assess how phages contribute to its increasing pathogenic success.

The student will use classical microbiological techniques to culture both bacteria and phage, in addition to cutting edge microscopy approaches, establish models to study infection dynamics, and use bioinformatic tools to reveal phage-host interactions for this species.

Project aims and objectives

Research aim: The aim of this work is to investigate the role of E. meningoseptica phages in its biology as opportunistic human pathogen.This project combines approaches based on classical phage microbiology as well as developing those in the study for this system.

Specific requirements of the candidate

This represents an opportunity to join the Faculty of Science and Engineering’s growing doctoral research community, committed to excellent research with impact. Successful applicants will be active researchers in our new state-of-the-art £117M labs and Dalton Building facilities, and will be supported to develop their skills as independent researchers.

The requirements follow the standard entry requirements.

Qualifications:

• Essential: BSc in Biology with a 2.1 degree minimum, preferably in a field related to Microbiology.
• Desirable: MSc / MRes in Biology or Microbiology field.

Skills:

• Essential: ability to undertake research by design of and conducting experiments and/or field work.
• Essential: highly motivated individual to establish and validate approaches suitable for novel systems and applications to fulfil experimental objectives and research aims.
• Desirable: previous experience of working with novel microbiological systems.
• Desirable: previous experience with advanced microscopy.
• Desirable: previous experience with bioinformatic analysis.

Knowledge:

• Essential: knowledge in microbiology and/or bacteriophages.
• Desirable: knowledge in both above fields.

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Dr Kathrine Hargreaves (K.Hargreaves@mmu.ac.uk) for an informal discussion.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Microbiology (or download the PGR application form which includes your academic CV and personal statement). In the personal statement section of the form and Narrative CV, please explain why you would like this opportunity, detail any relevant experience, and demonstrate how the skills you have map to the area of research.

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk.

Closing date: 14 October 2024. Expected start date: January 2025 for Home students and April 2025 for International students. 

Please note that Home fees are covered. Eligible International students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding. 

Please quote the reference: SciEng-2024-Bacteriophages