PhD Studentship: Multifunctional agents for ultrasound-mediated treatment of biofilms in chronic in
- Employer
- Global Academy Jobs
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Closing date
- Jun 30, 2017
View more
- Sector
- Science, Life Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biology, Physical Sciences and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry
- Hours
- Full Time
- Organization Type
- University and College
- Jobseeker Type
- Academic (e.g. 'Lecturer')
Job Details
The potential of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) to act as a signal for the dispersal of bacterial biofilms has attracted considerable interest. Notably, exposure of biofilms to NO may reduce their resistance to antibiotics, and treatments combining NO and antimicrobial compounds may effectively control the progression of biofilm-related infections.
In this study, we will develop ultrasound-responsive agents designed to act as carriers for both nitric oxide and antibiotics. Agents will be engineered to synergistically deliver NO and antimicrobial compounds upon ultrasound stimulation, in a spatially- and temporally-controlled fashion. Their response to ultrasound waves will also impart local mechanical stress, which is expected to significantly increase penetration efficiency of bioactive compounds across the biofilm matrix. We anticipate that these multifunctional agents will provide a powerful treatment modality for biofilm-related MDR chronic infections.
To this end, the PhD candidate will utilise both experimental and computational techniques to (i) engineer ultrasound-responsive agents capable of co-transporting nitric oxide and antimicrobial compounds; (ii) identify ultrasound exposure regimes to deliver the therapeutic payload at desired time-points for treatment, and enhance its penetration across the biofilm matrix; and (iii) validate agents’ therapeutic potential against conventional treatments, using complex models of chronic infections.
This PhD programme offers a unique opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary environment based at a world-class research centre, with shared support from the Faculties of Engineering and the Environment and Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton. The PhD candidate will work closely with partners at Public Health England, and will have the unique opportunity to develop expertise in cutting-edge technologies for the production of ultrasound-responsive agents, ultrasound-based therapies, and microbiological modelling of infections.
The ideal candidate will have a solid background in bio-physics or biomedical, acoustical or mechanical engineering.
This PhD project will be funded as part of the UK governments new Industrial Strategy. The scholarship will cover full UK fees and a stipend of between £16k and £18k per year depending on academic qualifications.
If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Dario Carugo (Bioengineering Science research group, Email: D.Carugo@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 3242) or Prof Jeremy Webb (Environmental Biosciences research group, Email: J.S.Webb@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 4390).
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