About the Project
Virus infections are responsible for more infectious diseases than any other type of microorganism including bacteria and fungi. However, whereas broad-spectrum antibiotics are available to treat a wide variety of bacterial diseases, there are only a small number of effective antiviral drugs. In addition, infection control of many viruses has proved difficult since viruses offer greater resistance to conventional disinfectants than do most bacterial or fungal pathogens. With the help of a BBSRC ‘Sparking Impact’ award the Microbiology and Virology Unit at the UoM recently established a dedicated facility to allow the testing of compounds for both virucidal and virostatic effect. This project will investigate the virucidal effect of novel biocides and novel formulations of existing biocides.
The use of biocides, in disinfectants and antiseptics, is a key component for many effective programmes in the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections. However, the majority of current biocides (99.5%) are chemically derived and contain halogen, metallic and/or phenolic compounds. As a result, the biocides industry has been severely challenged on lack of sustainability and levels of toxicity. These concerns have led to the introduction of European Biocide Regulations, which has seen the number of available biocides reduce from over 900 to less than 300. Those that have remained on the market are now facing increased scrutiny and are generally not deployed due to concerns and criticisms regarding side effects.
The aim of the proposed project is to explore a range of natural biocides produced by the industrial partner Byotrol plc to understand the mechanisms of action of effective versus ineffective compounds against different viral families and species. The main part of the project will be undertaken within the university labs to research and elucidate the effect of the compounds on the viruses, in addition the student will spend 3 months of each year of the project in the industrial setting to understand the production of the compounds, it is anticipated that the knowledge gained within the University will inform the industrial production methods allowing the production of more efficacious antivirals as the project progresses.
The Virology unit at the University of Manchester has extensive experience and active links into healthcare across the primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare sectors as well as collaborators within Europe and Internationally. Our recently established specialised antiviral testing unit provides an exceptional opportunity for training in antiviral testing applied to the healthcare sector. The unit has an internationally renowned MSc course in Medical Virology and is engaged in active research across the spectrum of Clinical Virology with 8 current PhD students in virology. This project provides research training in cell culture, virus culture and virus quantitation. It will also afford opportunity for the development of a variety of assays in addition to those utilised within the current European and British Standard test methodology for evaluation of virucidal activity (BS EN 14476:2013). This will extend the range of virucidal testing in anticipation of new European and EPA standard tests of virucidal activity (e.g. for influenza viruses).
Byotrol Plc, based at the Daresbury Innovation Centre, Warrington, is an antimicrobial technology company that develops products for customers within the food, pet and consumer markets. Byotrol have proven capability in developing and launching antimicrobial formulations and with their American partner, Advanced Hygienics (Spartenburg, USA) provide global impact within the biocide industry. The training opportunities at Byotrol provide a unique opportunity to follow and understand the development of novel biocides from initial discovery through to manufacture and product commercialisation, licence and supply with large FMCG and retailers.
This is a potential CASE studentship to be funded via the BBSRC Doctoral Training Programme. Projects under this scheme are competitively funded; i.e. there are more projects advertised than available.
Funding Notes
Please make direct contact with the Principal Supervisor to arrange to discuss the project and submit an online application form as soon as possible. There is no set closing date; projects will be removed as soon as they are filled.
Applications are invited from UK/EU nationals. Candidates from outside of the UK must have resided in the UK for 3 years prior to commencing the PhD in order to be eligible to apply. Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, at least an upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
References
BS EN 14476:2013 Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics – Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of virucidal activity in the medical area – Test method and requirements (Phase 2/Step 1) British Standard Institute, London, United Kingdom