Modulating the Gut Microbiome to Reduce Infection Risk

About the Project

Infection development, including surgical site infections (SSI) and urinary tract infections (UTI), remains a major cause of morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, and antimicrobial use. Many of the causative organisms of these infections originate in the gut, and growing evidence suggests the gut microbiome may be a modifiable driver of infection risk.

This project will investigate microbiome modulating strategies to reduce infection risk, including those caused by common uropathogens and carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO). Strategies under investigation will include antibiotics, bacteriophage, and probiotics, both alone and in combination. Project aims will be achieved through a combination of in vitro gut simulation models, basic aerobic and anaerobic microbiology, quantitative PCR, and microbial bioinformatics techniques.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic and collegial research group focused on investigating the impacts of different microbiomes on human health. This project offers an exciting balance of molecular and microbiology wet lab experiments, alongside DNA extraction, sequencing, and gut microbiome bioinformatic analysis. As such, candidates should have a keen interest in learning new skills and techniques, such as microbial bioinformatics, molecular biology, and data analysis. All required training will be provided.

The successful candidate will be trained in basic microbiology, including both culture-dependent and independent approaches, and molecular biology techniques, as well as project management and data analysis training. The candidate will also be trained in microbial bioinformatics for analysis of DNA datasets and comparison to metadata. Training received during this studentship will ensure the successful candidate possesses a comprehensive skillset, of high relevance to a career in a clinical microbiology setting, industry, or in academia.

Attendance at international conferences, including the opportunity for conference presentations. Publication in international, peer-reviewed journals. Important clinical collaboration opportunities and potential application of novel discoveries.

Funding Notes

This project is not funded; applications are welcome from self-funding candidates.

References

Microbiome, gut, bacteriophage, antibiotics, infection, bioinformatics.