About the Project

This PhD project explores the development and mechanistic evaluation of advanced disinfection technologies targeting bacterial spores and biofilm-forming pathogens on hard surfaces and medical devices. Building on recent insights into spore resistance mechanisms and the limitations of current high-level disinfectants, the research will focus on novel strategies to produce user-friendly disinfectant technologies to prevent cross-contamination of surfaces within healthcare facilities

• Investigating novel photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) formulations to overcome spore and biofilm resilience.
• Discovery of novel synergistic combinations (PACT and non-PACT-based) to fully eradicate biofouling of surfaces such as high-value medical devices (e.g. endoscopes), as well as general fomites (e.g. hospital furniture, surgical instruments).
• Translational assessment of candidate disinfectants on representative hospital surfaces and semi-critical devices, with a view toward regulatory and practical implementation.

The project is ideal for candidates with a background in microbiology, pharmaceutical sciences, or biomedical engineering, and offers opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with infection control specialists and materials scientists.

Training that will be provided through the research project

The candidate will benefit from broad training in materials science, organic chemistry, microscopic techniques (SEM, fluorescence microscopy), and surface fouling assay techniques e.g. microbiology, tissue culture, and protein adsorption studies. Presentation, writing and interpersonal skills will be developed. The student will also have access to a wide range of training opportunities provided by the university's graduate school programme.

Expected impact activities

Our research has attracted interest from several leading healthcare companies with several ongoing industrial collaborations related to prevention of medical device-associated infection. This project will further this research and it is envisaged findings from the project may lead to further opportunities to engage with our industrial partners. The successful candidate will present the findings at local, national and international conferences and in scientific papers in peer reviewed journals.

Funding Notes

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

References

high-level disinfectant; antimicrobial resistance; photodynamic; biofilm; disinfection