Don't miss our weekly PhD newsletter | Sign up now Don't miss our weekly PhD newsletter | Sign up now

  Breaking the resistance: alternative approaches to antibiotics discovery


   School of Pharmacy

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 Gerd Wagner  Applications accepted all year round  Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top 10 global threats to human health (http://www.who.int/). A recent analysis of the burden from AMR estimates that globally, 1.27 million deaths in 2019 could be directly attributed to AMR, and a further 4.95 million deaths were associated with AMR (Murray et al. 2022). The development of novel approaches to combat AMR is therefore of great urgency.

In this project, the student will investigate alternative approaches to classical antibiotics discovery. He/she will focus on one or more molecular targets currently under investigation in the Wagner research group, including e.g., bacterial toxins and mechanisms of nutrient uptake and membrane remodelling. The project offers an exciting opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of experimental techniques, from cell culture and protein biochemistry to in-vitro bioassays, computer-assisted design of bespoke chemical probes, and mass-spectrometry-based proteomics, while tackling an urgent real-world problem.

This highly interdisciplinary project is ideally suited for a student of chemistry, chemical biology or biochemistry with experience in chemical synthesis or protein biochemistry, who wants to expand their skill set into microbiology and infectious disease research. The Wagner research group is a small team of currently 10 members that provides a friendly and supportive environment, with weekly group meetings, a journal club, and regular social activities. The project also offers an ideal opportunity to collaborate with partner laboratories both at Queen’s and beyond, and to experience different research environments.

Applicants should have a 1st or 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Relevant subjects include Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, or a closely related discipline. Students who have a 2.2 honours degree and a Master’s degree may also be considered, but the School reserves the right to shortlist for interview only those applicants who have demonstrated high academic attainment to date.

Postgraduate Research applicants must have applied to Queen’s, via the Direct Applications Portal.

https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/user/u_login.php

Informal enquiries should be directed to [Email Address Removed]

The title of the studentship should be referenced in all correspondence.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofPharmacy/Research/PostgraduatePositions/

http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofPharmacy/Research/

https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofPharmacy/Research/find-a-phd-supervisor/dr-gerd-wagner.html

The project is highly interdisciplinary and ideally suited for a student who wants to pursue a career in biotech or the pharmaceutical sector. The student will receive in-depth training in a broad range of experimental techniques, including computer-assisted design of chemical probes, protein biochemistry, in-vitro bioassays, and protein mass spectrometry. The Wagner research group is a small team of currently 10 members that provides a friendly and supportive environment, with weekly group meetings, a journal club, and regular social activities. The project also offers the opportunity to collaborate with partner laboratories both at Queen’s and beyond. It is an ideal opportunity to experience different research environments, including placement opportunities at an external partner, and to acquire transferable and generic skills in time and project management, science outreach, and knowledge transfer and commercialisation.

Results from this project will create opportunities for knowledge transfer, translation, and commercialisation in the area of drug development. The project will also offer an opportunity for the student to contribute to a range of outreach activities such as the regular delivery of science workshops for school children and lay audiences.

Biological Sciences (4) Chemistry (6) Medicine (26)

References

chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biochemistry

 About the Project