Antibiotic resistance by gram-negative bacteria is a significant challenge, with pathogens of this class comprising 9 of the 12 bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health, as identified by the World Health Organisation. The outer membrane (OM) of gram-negative bacteria is crowded with OM proteins (OMPs) that are vital for bacterial survival. New OMPs are made by the bacteria in the cytoplasm, and must then undertake a long journey to the OM. Machinery has evolved to assist this process; including, periplasmic chaperone proteins (Skp and SurA), that escort OMPs to the OM, and BAM (beta-barrel assembly machinery), which inserts them into the OM. Perturbing this pathway leads to a loss of bacterial viability, and is a potential new avenue for controlling gram-negative pathogens responsible for infections, including those that are multi-drug resistant.
This project will exploit state-of-the-art structural proteomics, single molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and EPR spectroscopy to elucidate the molecular mechanism of OMP recognition by the BAM complex, and gain an understanding of the conformational dynamics of BAM which are key to its function. This will aid in the design of much-needed new antibiotics against gram-negative bacteria that cause disease to humans, plants and animals.
Funding Note
This studentship is part of the BBSRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership in Mechanistic Biology. (https://www.whiterose-mechanisticbiology-dtp.ac.uk/). Appointed candidates will be fully-funded for 4 years. The funding includes:
Tax-free annual UKRI stipend (£15,609 for 2021/22 starts. Awards increase every year, typically with inflation).
UK tuition fees (Around £4,500 per year)
Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG)
Conference and Professional Internships for PhD Students (PIPS) allowances
We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from inside and outside the UK. We are able to offer a limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the competitive nature of this scheme.
Not all projects will be funded; the DTP will appoint a limited number of candidates via a competitive process.
How to apply
Applicants should complete an online application form and attach the following documentation to support their application.
- a full academic CV
- degree certificate and transcripts of marks
- Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable).
To help us identify that you are applying for this studentship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;
- Select PhD in Biological Sciences as your programme of study
- Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert
- For source of funding please state you are applying for a White Rose BBSRC DTP funded studentship
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