Synthetic Biology Pipeline for Discovery and Diversification of Novel, Bioactive Natural Products from Marine Cyanobacteria

An IBIOIC/MASTS funded PhD studentship is available for an exceptional candidate with a strong background in micro/molecular biology. A background in natural product chemistry and organic compound analysis would also be beneficial. Candidates must have, or be expected to obtain, a degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology or an appropriate related subject.

Summary: The quest for new antibiotics, especially those with activity against Gram negative and recalcitrant bacteria, is urgent. Over 13 million lives world-wide are currently claimed each year due to infectious diseases. Over the last decade this figure has doubled due to the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains. Conversely very few new antibiotics have been introduced to the market in the last 40 years, with this limited number falling into only four new structural classes.1, 2 The Global cost of antimicrobial resistance to GDP is calculated as between $2.1 trillion-$124.5 trillion dollars. (RAND report) We propose to a marine microbial pipeline for the discovery of novel antibiotics with which to address AMR.