2013-12-23

Post Type: PhD Studentship (Funded) | Faculty/PSG: Natural & Environmental Sciences | Division/Prof Service: Centre for Biological Sciences | Section: Biological Sciences Research | Location: Highfield Campus | Post Type: Full Time | Closing Date: 31 Jan 2014 |
PhD Supervisor: Jeremy S Webb

Co supervisors: Saul Faust (Faculty of Medicine), Jimmy Walker (PHE)

Application Deadline: 31st Jan 2014

Waterborne Pseudomonas aeruginosa may account for up to 3% of all Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). Recent neonatal deaths in Northern Ireland and Bristol have been linked to P. aeruginosa in contaminated water supplies. Microbial biofilms - sessile populations of bacterial cells encased within a self-produced exopolymeric matrix -  can influence the survival and long term persistence of pathogens in water systems and may play an important role in  P. aeruginosa healthcare-associated infection.

This project will investigate the colonization, survival and genetic adaptation of hospital isolates of P. aeruginosa in biofilms and within an experimental water system.  A model hospital tap rig system designed and commissioned by Public Health England’s (PHE) Biosafety Unit) will be used to investigate (using WGS and VNTR) samples in the experimental tap rig over time. The relevance of findings will be assessed by comparing WGS of hospital isolates (water and biofilm components from plumbing materials) to those in our tap rig isolates.

A range of laboratory techniques will be used to enumerate and characterise viable and non-viable biofilm and planktonic P. aeruginosa, including: conventional culture, metabolic quantification of bacterial communities, matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectroscopy, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and next-generation sequencing. In addition, characterisation of fluid flow dynamics, and its impact on biofilm development within the experimental rig will be carried out.

The student will receive full training in all required areas, including bioinformatics and statistical analysis.

Other members of of the collaborative team: Paul Stoodley (University of Southampton, UoS, and University of Ohio), Julian Wharton (UoS), C. William Keevil (UoS), Ginny Moore (PHE) and Katy-Anne Thompson (PHE).

The project is funded for 3 years and welcomes applicants from the UK and EU who have or expect to obtain at least an upper second class degree in  Biological Sciences or allied subjects. Funding will cover fees and a stipend at current research council rates of £ 13,726 per annum.

 Due to funding restrictions this position is only open to UK/EU applicants

Appliications for an MPhil/PhD in Biological Sciences should be submitted online at http://www.soton.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgstudy/howdoiapplypg.htm. General enquiries should be made J.S.Webb@soton.ac.uk

 Any queries on the application process should be made to pgafnes@soton.ac.uk

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