Characterising biofilm-forming microbes in endotracheal tubes to direct a new strategy for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill adults

Endotracheal tubes (ETTs) are employed for invasive mechanical ventilation of critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure. In these patients the cough reflex is suppressed providing the opportunity for microbes from the upper airways to gain direct access to the lower airways via, for example, microaspiration. Furthermore, microbes can attach to the inner and outer surface of ETTs after only a few hours of mechanical ventilation and often become embedded in a matrix of exopolymeric substances such as DNA, protein and exopolysaccharide known as a biofilm. Biofilm fragments are a source of lung infection and can lead to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), a serious condition occurring in up to a quarter of endotracheally-intubated patients.  

Prevention of VAP is an important area of unmet need due to the impact of this hospital-acquired infection on patient morbidity, the financial burden to healthcare services and increased mortality rates. There are no efficacious strategies to prevent biofilm formation on ETTs.  

The major aim of this PhD research project is to characterise microbes that formed ETT biofilms in vivo to inform the development of advanced ETT materials to prevent biofilm formation. The study may include development of in vitro biofilm formation assays; testing the susceptibility of ETT microbes to currently employed antimicrobials and to novel ETT surface-modifying compounds; investigating the potential of inducing microbial resistance to the novel compounds and cross-resistance to currently used antimicrobial agents. 

Applicants should have a 1st or 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Relevant subjects include Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biological/Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, 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

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

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

The project will provide extensive training and skills development for the student including in basic microbiological laboratory skills, in vitro biofilm development assays, susceptibility testing, evolution assays and oral and written presentation skills. 

This PhD research project will integrate microbiology with material science to address a recognised and highly significant clinical problem in intensive care and therefore, merge fundamental research to obtain translational outcomes in healthcare. The successful candidate will present the findings at local, national, and international conferences and in scientific papers in peer reviewed journals.