The dynamics of acquisition and persistence of antimicrobial resistance

Applications are invited for a prestigious and distinctive full time PhD Studentship jointly funded and awarded by University of Birmingham and University of Maastricht. The PhD studentship is a collaborative project between: Dr Alan McNally and Prof Willem van Schaik from the Institute of Microbiology and Infection (IMI; https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/microbiology-infection/index.aspx) at the University of Birmingham, UK; and Prof John Penders and Dr Petra Wolffs from the department of medical microbiology at University of Maastricht (https://www.labmaastricht.nl/research-3). The student will spend an equal amount of time at each institution, and will be awarded a joint PhD degree.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents one of the greatest and most immediate threats to global public health. AMR threatens the effective prevention and treatment of a vast number of common infections and serious health-care associated infections. AMR also threatens the future use and success of major surgery and cancer chemotherapy, which rely on antibiotics as prophylactic treatments.
Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are the most common pathogenic members of the Enterobacteriaceae. In both species multi-drug resistance (MDR) is common due to the acquisition and stable maintenance of plasmids conferring resistance to front line drugs such as 3rd generation cephalosporins (resistance mediated by ESBL enzymes) and to last line drugs such as carbapenems (resistance mediated by CPE).

Our consortium of researchers have shown that during travel to endemic regions, European travelers quickly become colonized with an MDR strain of E. coli or K. pneumoniae, and that this colonization can last for 6-12 months. We have shown that the gut microbiome serves as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes, which can potentially be transferred to opportunistic pathogens, and that there is continued inter-continental spread of AMR pathogenic E. coli. As a consortium we believe we are now ideally placed to determine exactly the role of strain acquisition, plasmid spread, and host microbiome in the AMR infection process. Unravelling these processes is of crucial importance in order to find new leads to tackle AMR.

This project will utilise thousands of longitudinal faecal samples, and bacteria isolated from samples, from hundreds of recruited volunteer travelers. We will use these samples to address three hypotheses:

1) AMR pathogens initially outcompete the resident microbiome to colonise the intestine, but over time a slightly reduced fitness sees them being replaced by the resident microbiome.
2) The invading AMR pathogen only outcompetes members of the same species, but inter-species interactions lead to the recovery of the original microbiome members
3) During gut colonization by AMR pathogens the MDR plasmids are transferred to other members of the microbiome, leading to long term persistence of AMR but not the AMR pathogen

Person Specification
Applicants should have a strong background in microbiology. They should have a commitment to research in microbial genomics and metagenomics and antimicrobial resistance research. They should hold, or realistically expect to obtain, at least an Upper Second Class Honours Degree, or equivalent, in a relevant biological subject.

How to apply
Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Alan McNally ([Email Address Removed]) and Dr Petra Wolffs ([Email Address Removed])

Applications should be made to……….

To apply, please send:
• A detailed CV, including your nationality and country of birth;
• Names and addresses of two referees;
• A covering letter highlighting your research experience/capabilities;
• Copies of your degree certificates with transcripts