MSc by Research: Harnessing Transposon Mutagenesis to Dissect Antifungal Drug Resistance in the Fungal “Superbug” Candidozyma auris

About the Project

The MSc by Research programme at the University of Aberdeen is for students interested in a research-intensive master's degree. It is designed specifically to enhance your skills for a PhD or research career. You can find further information about our academic requirements and MSc by Research programme structurehere.

In 2009 Candidozyma auris (previously Candida auris)emerged in Japan as a human fungal pathogen. C. auris is the most drug-resistant yeast pathogen and has spread quickly across all continents causing outbreaks in hospitals. Mortality rates in systemic infection are high even when antifungal therapy was applied. C. auris isolates are commonly (multi)drug-resistant, environmentally persistent, and spread from person to person. C. auris is a skin colonizer, and patients are therefore in danger of becoming infected from contaminated medical equipment. Many clinical C. auris isolates are resistant to at least one, often more, antifungal drugs; this is problematic as only four classes of antifungals are currently available for combatting systemic fungal infections. For these reasons C. auris has been categorized as a critical priority pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Due to the recent emergence of C. auris as a pathogen, we are largely ignorant about its general biological traits and lack experimental tools. This incomplete fundamental understanding of the pathogenic potential of C. auris impedes our capacity to explain its sudden emergence, rapid global spread, and unique phenotypic characteristics. My team is interested in developing new toolkits to genetically manipulate C. auris, which will allow us to probe the biology of C. auris as a pathogen.

Transposon-based screens are incredibly powerful tools to elucidate the biology of any organism. The widely used piggyBac-transposon will serve as a mutagenesis tool to dissect genes important for susceptibility to antifungal drugs. My team has constructed a first version of a programmable piggyBac-transposon mutagenesis system for use in C. auris. During this MSc by Research project this system will be further adapted and employed to screen for mutants showing altered susceptibility to antifungal drugs. This approach will identify novel genes important for antifungal drug resistance. Phenotyping of mutants will include a broad range of microbiological, genetic, molecular, and bioinformatic techniques which will enable the candidate to develop a number of laboratory and analytical skills. The candidate will also benefit from being part of a large research team studying fungal pathogens and will be able to draw on a wide range of expertise in a supportive environment.

Ultimately, this project will establish a novel toolkit to genetically manipulate C. auris that will be tremendously powerful for discovering new antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in this critical-priority fungal pathogen.

Informal enquiries are encouraged and can be directed to Dr Alexander Lorenz (a.lorenz@abdn.ac.uk).

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Candidate Background:

We actively encourage applications from diverse career paths and backgrounds and across all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status, amongst other protected characteristics.

We also invite applications from those returning from a career break, industry or other roles. We typically require a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or equivalent), but exceptions can be made where applicants can demonstrate excellence in alternative ways, including, but not limited to, performance in masters courses, professional placements, internships or employment.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

• Please note: This is a self-funded opportunity only.
• Prospective students should contact the lead supervisor (via the email address listed above) to discuss the research project and complete a proposal form prior to / or shortly after applying.
• Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
• You should apply for Medical Sciences (MSc) to ensure your application is passed to the correct team.
• Please clearly note the name of the supervisor and the project title on the application form.
• Your application must include: a personal statement, an up-to-date copy of your academic CV, and clear copies of your educational certificates and transcripts.
• If you are still undertaking your undergraduate degree, it is helpful to the selection panel if you could provide documentation showing your grades to date (this can be a screenshot from an online portal).
• Please note: Project supervisors will not respond to requests for funding assistance.
• If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don't hesitate to contact us at pgrs-admissions@abdn.ac.uk

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Funding Notes

This is a self-funding project open to students worldwide. Our typical start dates for this programme are October/ February, however we may be able to accommodate start dates in other months if this is preferred.

Fees for this programme are currently £5,006 for home/UK students, and £27,300 for international students.

Additional research costs/bench fees of £3,000 will also apply to the MSc by Research programme.