Bornean plants as a source of as Anti-Plasmid Agents (GIBBONSS_U21SCIPVC) at University of East Anglia on FindAPhD.com

This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.

Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunities

Prof Simon Gibbons, Dr S E Matthews No more applications being accepted Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

About the Project

Natural products are a superb source of antibiotic molecules and offer a significant opportunity to overcome antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as either new antibacterials or modulators of resistance. One of the main ways in which bacteria can become resistant to antimicrobial agents is through acquisition of exogenous DNA, principally plasmids, containing AMR and virulence genes. Inhibition of plasmid conjugation therefore has significant potential to prevent the propagation of AMR within microbial populations. Research for conjugation inhibitors could also reduce pathogenicity by reducing the spread of virulence factors.

We have identified extracts from plants from Borneo that have antiplasmid activities. In this project, we will isolate the compounds that are responsible for this activity using bioassay-guided isolation, determine their structure by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and test them against clinically-relevant bacteria.

During this project you will gain skills in natural product chemistry, microbiology, and bioassay-guided isolation. You will work in a dedicated group of scientists interested in exploring natural products as potential antimicrobials, especially as anti-plasmid transfer agents.

Candidates should have a degree in Chemistry or Pharmacy with a high interest in natural product and analytical chemistry.

For more information on the supervisor for this project, please go here https://people.uea.ac.uk/s_gibbons.

This is a PhD programme. The start date is 1st October 2021. The mode of study is full time. The studentship length is 3 years.

Entry requirements: Acceptable first degree 2:1 Chemistry or Pharmacy.

Funding Notes

This PhD studentship is funded by the University of East Anglia. Funding is available to and applications are welcomed from UK candidates only. Funding comprises home tuition fees and an annual stipend of £15,609 (for a maximum of 36 months).

References

i) Kwapong, A.A., Stapleton, P. and Gibbons, S. (2019). Inhibiting plasmid mobility: the effect of isothiocyanates on bacterial conjugation. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 53, 629-36.
ii) Oyedemi, B.O., Kotsia, E.M., Stapleton, P.D., Gibbons, S. (2019). Capsaicin and gingerol analogues inhibit the growth of efflux-multidrug resistant bacteria and R-plasmids conjugal transfer, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 245, 111871.
iii) Kwapong, A.A., Stapleton, P., Gibbons, S. (2018). A new dimeric imidazole alkaloid plasmid conjugation inhibitor from Lepidium sativum. 59, 1952-1954.
iv) Sibandze, G.F., Stapleton, P. and Gibbons, S. (2020). Constituents of Two Dioscorea Species that Potentiate Antibiotic Activity against MRSA. Journal of Natural Products 83, 1696–1700.
v) Xiao, C-Y et al., (2021) Neolignans from Piper betle Have Synergistic Activity against Antibiotic-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus J. Org Chem doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.0c02682.

Where will I study?

University of East Anglia

We’re one of the UK’s leading research institutions, ranked 10th in the UK for the quality of our research outputs and with more than 1,500 research students.

Bornean plants as a source of as Anti-Plasmid Agents (GIBBONSS_U21SCIPVC)

University of East Anglia School of Pharmacy