Extension of Antibiotic Spectrum of Activity using Nanoparticles

This project is offered as part of the Medical Research Foundation National PhD Training Programme in AMR: https://www.findaphd.com/search/PhDDetails.aspx?CAID=3755

The last two decades have seen the emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogens whilst the development of new antibiotics has progressively slowed down. The situation is dire; without effective antimicrobials our ability to treat common infectious diseases will be severely threatened and even common medical procedures could become high risk. Novel antibacterial strategies are now needed. We propose to help address this by developing metal actives which, when co-administrated topically with existing antibiotics, potentiate their effect and overcome resistant strains found in wounds, for example. This PhD project will focus on a multidisciplinary approach. First, potential for bactericidal synergies between metal actives and traditional antibiotics will be identified. Next, existing metal actives will be physicochemically tailored for co-delivery with antibiotics. Finally, promising strategies will be validated in resistance models. We are looking for a talented and motivated prospective PhD candidate who is keen to work at the chemistry/biology interface. The successful candidate will also be enrolled in the Medical Research Council Doctoral Training Programme at Cambridge which will provide additional training opportunities and local student cohort activities.

Application process
Preliminary Stage: Please send your CV, transcripts and a cover letter to Fiona Roby ([Email Address Removed]). The cover letter should outline your research interests and experience and explain why you think you would be a good fit for this project. Please also include contact details for two referees who may be contacted in the event you are shortlisted. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview in March 2018 (tbc).

Secondary Stage: (only if successful at interview stage): Following interviews the successful candidate will then need to submit a full official application to the University of Cambridge via the Applicant Portal (see here: https://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/how-do-i-apply) - note there is a £50 fee for this application. A full offer will only be made once all conditions required by the University have been met.