PhD studentship in Molecular Microbiology - Constructing a crystal shell: biogenesis and function of the Clostridium difficile surface layer

Number of awards:
1

Start date and duration:
25 September 2017 for 3.5 years.


Overview:
Interested in a PhD studying antibiotic resistant bacteria and keen to develop your research skills in microbiology as well as understand how proteins work and their intricate structures?

In this PhD, you will use a range of molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and structural techniques to understand Clostridium difficile’s crystal shell. The PhD is part of a collaboration with the University of Sheffield and the University of Glasgow.

C. difficile is the most frequent cause of hospital acquired infections across Europe. This highly antibiotic resistant pathogen relies on antibiotics disrupting the gut microbiota to cause disease. We urgently need to develop species-specific antimicrobials that kill C. difficile without further disruption to the gut microbiota. The C. difficile cell is coated by a crystalline protein surface layer which is a promising but unexploited target for new therapeutics. Our work focusses on the structure, function and biogenesis of this crystal shell.

You will work alongside a postdoctoral scientist at the Newcastle University, with regular collaborative meetings with colleagues from Dr Rob Fagan’s (Sheffield) and Dr Gill Douce’s (Glasgow) groups. You will spend time in the other laboratories to offer a truly exceptional educational support experience, with maximal exposure to different expertise.

Sponsor:
Faculty of Medical Sciences

Name of supervisor(s):
Dr Paula Salgado (http://sbl.ncl.ac.uk/people/paula_research.shtml)

Eligibility Criteria:
You must have, or expect to achieve, a 1st Class or at least a 2:1 Honours degree in biochemistry, microbiology or a related area. A further qualification such as an MSc or MRes is advantageous.

The award is available to UK/EU and international applicants.

How to apply:
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/). To do this please ‘Create a new account’. Only mandatory fields need to be completed. However, you will need to include the following information:

•insert the programme code 8300F in the programme of study section
•select ‘PhD in the Faculty of Medical Sciences – Cell and Molecular Biosciences’ as the programme of study
•insert the studentship code CB130 in the studentship/partnership reference field
•attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote the studentship reference code CB130 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
•attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.