Executive Dean’s PhD Studentship in Caesarean Section Infections: Targeting an Unmet Need with Novel Antimicrobials

The Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine is offering a fully funded PhD studentship to investigate novel therapeutic interventions to tackle caesarean section (C-section) infections. 15% of women globally who undergo a C-section delivery will experience an infection of the wound. Subsequently, mothers will experience severe pain, compromised mobility or even death. This PhD will develop novel strategies to prevent and/or treat C-section infections.

Based in and funded by the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (CHMLS), this studentship offers a full-time annual London rate stipend estimated at £20,551 plus Home/EU tuition fees, for a maximum of 36 months. The successful candidate will benefit from the support of Brunel Medical School which has established connections with local NHS Trusts and clinicians.

 

The Department of Life Sciences holds a Silver Athena SWAN Award and is committed to the advancement of gender equality in Academia.

 

The start date will be 1 October 2023.

Overview

Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to modern medicine and there is an urgent need to develop novel antimicrobial therapeutic strategies. In recent work in the McCarthy and Rudolph Labs published in EMBO Molecular Medicine (and featured in BBC Science Focus Magazine), we have demonstrated that the artificial sweetener acesulfame-K (ace-K) can be used to treat wound infections. Specifically, we show that it can inhibit the growth of a broad range of pathogens including common antibiotic resistant wound pathogens Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Remarkably, ace-K can also increase the sensitivity of A. baumannii to antibiotics. In this proposal, we aim to harness the newly identified therapeutic potential of ace-K and combine it with cutting-edge wound models, transcriptomics, genome sequencing, live cell imaging and 3D printing to develop a first-of-its kind bespoke therapeutic solution to tackle the underrepresented clinical need of mothers following a C-sections.

The successful candidate will be supervised by an expert interdisciplinary team of researchers who will provide full training for the research.

For informal discussions, please contact Ronan McCarthy ronan.mccarthy@brunel.ac.uk

Eligibility

Candidates should have an undergraduate degree (first or upper second class) or equivalent qualification in biosciences or a related field. A Masters qualification in a relevant area would be desirable. Applicants who have not been awarded a degree by a University in the UK will be expected to demonstrate English language skills to IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in any section).

How to apply

If you wish to apply, please e-mail the following to chmls-pgr-officestaff@brunel.ac.uk by 7 June 2023.

  • A current CV.
  • A single-page A4 single-spaced personal statement describing why you are a suitable candidate (i.e. outlining your qualifications and skills).
  • One example of your academic writing (e.g. an essay, a section from a dissertation).
  • A summary of your teaching experience or your willingness to support teaching activities.
  • Names and contact details for two academic referees.
  • A copy of your highest degree certificate and transcript.
  • A copy of your English language qualification, where applicable.

Shortlisted applicants are expected to attend an interview week commencing 3rd July 2023.

For further information about how to apply, please contact the CHMLS Postgraduate Programmes Office on chmls-pgr-officestaff@brunel.ac.uk.

Meet the Supervisor(s)

Christian Rudolph - Dr. Rudolph is a world-renowned expert in bacterial DNA replication and repair, bacterial chromosome dynamics and bacterial chromosome structure. DNA replication is the fundamental process by which cells copy their genetic material to pass on to the next generation. His current research focuses on several key areas. First, he studies the final stage of DNA replication called termination and how this stage can threaten genomic stability. Second, he investigates how CRISPR-Cas systems (the molecular "scissors" made famous for gene editing) are connected to DNA replication and repair processes. Third, he examines how transcription can interfere with DNA replication, and how these interactions may have shaped bacterial chromosome organisation over evolutionary time. Finally, he explores how antibiotics and antibiotic-like substances, including artificial sweeteners, impact DNA replication and chromosome behaviour. Dr. Rudolph's ultimate goal is to understand in great detail how cells duplicate their genomes with high accuracy and what happens when these critical pathways fail. This research has important applications in both antibiotic development and understanding diseases triggered by genomic instability, such as cancer.

Related Research Group(s)

Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine

Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine - Driving scientific innovation and discovery for diagnosis, treatment, and management of cardiovascular disease, inflammatory and immune disorders, microbial resistance, and cancer.