MSc by Research: Effect of Intermicrobial interactions on swarming in pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa

About the Project

The ability of bacteria to spread within the organs and tissues of their host underlies their ability to establish successful infection. Certain bacteria such as Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa are exceptional at displaying various forms of motility. Under specific conditions, a group of P. aeruginosa cells can move together under the influence of quorum sensing and biosurfactant, using a process called swarming. Swarming bacteria have been shown to be resistant to antibiotics. We aim to understand the environmental triggers of swarming so that the spread of bacteria could be controlled. In our previous work, we have shown that ethanol produced by microbes is a trigger for swarming (Badal et al. mBio 2021) and iron limitation promotes rhamnolipid production (Pradhan et al. BiorXiv 2022). To identify components of the core machinery that regulates swarming in P. aeruginosa, we screened 5800 mutants of the bacterium and identified 271 genes to be essential for swarming. The Master's project is focused on finding if other neighbors of P. aeruginosa inhibit or promote swarming. We will utilize other lung resident pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii and Cryptococcus neoformans. The student will learn to study these pathogens safely. They will utilize a GFP reporter for rhamnolipid, surfactant quantification assays as well as qRT-PCR for ascertaining the effect of neighbours on Rhamnolipid production and plate based assays to quantify swarming itself. The ability of neighbours on swimming and quorum sensing in P. aeruginosa will be assessed using reporters for flagella and for autoinducer production.

During the course of the project, you will learn some molecular biology techniques and various assays for P. aeruginosa including swarming and swimming, molecular biology and imaging of bacterial cells. You will be mentored on various components of research including hypothesis generation, execution, analysis of data and interpretation, manuscript writing etc.

 Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.

Please see our website for further details on the programme and how to apply:

Life Sciences MSc by Research MSc by Research (Postgraduate) : Study : University of Dundee

Please note before submitting your application that you must list your top three project choices in the Research Proposal section of the application form.

When you complete your application form, you should include your top 3 project choices, 2 letters of reference, uploaded under "Other Information" > "Supporting documents" and a personal statement. Failure to do so will delay your application.

Please note when submitting an application, please note our intake deadlines on the ‘how to apply’ section of our website.