Characterising the Dissemination of Antimicrobial Resistance in Bioaerosols

The emergence of drug-resistant infections was inevitable given the careless use of antibiotics since its mass production in the 1940’s. Among the most problematic aspects of drug resistance is their ability to be horizontally transferred from one microbe to another. It has been assumed that the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to and from environmental microorganisms occurs in wastewater and manure-amended soils. However, there is no research on ARG transmission and dissemination in the aerosol phase despite it being potentially a ubiquitous pathway and thus of great importance to human and veterinary health.

The Bristol supervisor has developed a ground-breaking instrument that allows for the creation and manipulation of bioaerosols in controlled laboratory conditions, thereby allowing for the assessment of microbial processes, such as ARG transmission, in aerosols. The student will work with a collaborating SME, Biral Industrial & Research Associates, to further improve the instrument for more broad applications relating to bioaerosol research and risk characterisation.

The specific aims of this project will be to: (1) Determine the environmental parameters needed to sustain the viability of microorganisms in the aerosol phase, allowing for the transfer and dissemination of mobile genes, such as antibiotic resistance; (2) Assess the risk of AMR transfer and dissemination from a range of natural and engineered environments.

Specific chemical, physical and biological factors will be systematically explored for their impact on ARG transfer and dissemination using empirical measures of bacterial survival and gene transfer within the bioaerosol. An exposure hazard model will be developed based on the outcome of the chemical-, physical- and biological-derived factors to generate an evidence base for more targeted risk assessments that can be conducted empirically in selected locations (e.g., beach, wastewater). The experimental component of the PhD will coincide with further refinement of the instrumentation in collaboration with the CASE partner.

The postgraduate student will receive training in aerosol science within the Bristol Aerosol Research Centre (BARC), School of Chemistry. Training in molecular microbiology will be provided by NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) in Wallingford, approximately 1 hour from Bristol by train. Comprehensive training on personal and professional development will be included as a component of the studentship. The student would be encouraged to participate in workshops, conferences, elective training courses from CEH’s learning and development (e.g., academic writing, networking, data management, modelling/statistics, endnote), formally assessed courses and informal opportunities.

Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a 2.1 degree or higher. If you have a 2.2 degree, but have also obtained a masters qualification, you are also eligible. Substantial relevant post-graduate experience may also be sufficient; please contact the supervisors for more information.

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter stating your motivation to work on this project to the main project supervisor Dr A. Singer ([Email Address Removed]) by midnight 07/01/2018