Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance in Community- and Hospital-Associated E. coli Infections.

Antibiotic resistance remains a global public health problem. Research on antibiotic resistant infections has largely focused on risks arising in hospitals. However, there is increasing recognition that resistant infections spread and evolve in a range of community-settings (1,2). Strategies to control antibiotic resistant infections require better understanding of which populations and individuals are most at risk, and which are the most important risk factors in both hospital and community.

Deprivation is linked to risk of acquiring many infectious diseases, yet there is little and discordant evidence on relationships between socio-economic factors and antibiotic resistance. (3)

This project will focus on clonal characterization of resistant E.coli infections to explore associations between measures of socio- economic status and risk of colonization/infection with clonal and non-clonal genotypes of resistant E.coli. The study will include unique ‘multi-level’ types of analysis to explore the interactions between different risk factors and resistance E. coli at both individual and population levels.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and non-ESBL producing E. coli isolates collected from community and hospital settings over a period of 5 years will be genotypically characterised by whole genome sequencing which, in addition to identifying the clonal types of our isolates, will also provide a more detailed understanding of evolution of resistance. The candidate will combine genotypic data with risk factor data to provide new insights into the development and transmission of resistance within populations.
Whole genome sequencing analysis may also identify novel resistance mechanisms to both antibiotics and biocides, with the latter receiving increasing attention in the context of hospital-acquired multidrug resistant infections (4,5).

It is hoped that findings of this important project will inform policies aimed at tackling health inequality issues arising in the area of antimicrobial resistance. In any event, the enhanced understanding of the genetic determinants underpinning resistance to antibiotics and biocides in hospital- and community-acquired hospital infections will be critical for enhancement of infection control strategies at preventative and therapeutic level.

Breadth of training - The programme will provide training in a range of transferable skills and experience that can be taken forward into several career paths. The candidate will receive exposure to medical microbiology diagnostic laboratories. They will receive training in relevant aspects of bacteriology, molecular microbiology, genetics of bacterial resistance as well as next-generation sequencing/bioinformatics and multi-level statistical modelling.

This PhD studentship will be undertaken within the recently established Centre for Bacteria in Health and Disease (https://www.abdn.ac.uk/cbhd) which will provide the successful applicant with excellent training and support in all aspects of bacterial infections and the importance of bacteria in our health.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
This project is advertised in relation to the research areas of MEDICAL SCIENCES. Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php. You should apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Sciences, to ensure that your application is passed to the correct person for processing.

NOTE CLEARLY THE NAME OF THE SUPERVISOR AND EXACT PROJECT TITLE ON THE APPLICATION FORM.

Candidates should contact the lead supervisor to discuss the project in advance of submitting an application, as supervisors will be expected to provide a letter of support for suitable applicants. Candidates will be informed after the application deadline if they have been shortlisted for interview.

Interviews are expected to take place on 23rd or 24th July 2019.