PhD Study : Effects of microbial-derived glycolipid biosurfactants on the human gut and skin microbiomes

Summary

Biosurfactants are secondary metabolites produced by a wide verity of microbial species that effect surface chemistry of phases. The most widely studies class of microbial biosurfactant are the glycolipids; compounds that consist of a hydrophilic sugar moiety bound to a hydrophobic lipid chain [7].

The Microbial Biotechnology Research Group at Ulster University has over 30 years’ experience investigating biosurfactant and is widely considered a global leader in the field [2]. There is preliminary evidence that biosurfactants can modulate the human microbiome [5]. Naturally derived bioactive compounds that have positive effects on both gut and skin microflora would be of significant interest as both populations have considerable effects on nutrient uptake, prevention of inflammatory bowl conditions antimicrobial activities and control of skin born infection [1,3].

Potential applications for this research are in cosmeceutical and nutraceutical formulations [1,4,6]. Although the effects of biosurfactants on the body has been investigated previously, much of this research narrowly focuses on one class of biosurfactant and uses a mixture of different congeners.

This project will be the first to broadly investigate the effects of specifically characterised congeners of the different glycolipid varieties on these microbial populations. The aims of the project will be:

To investigate what effects various specific glycolipids have on skin and gut microbiomes.

To gain a thorough understanding of how chemical composition of the biosurfactant relates to it effect on the microbiome popultions.

To determine at what concentration(s) the different specific glycolipids elicit these effects.

To achieve these project aims the student will utilise several different experimental models and as such will gain valuable technical skills in a variety of scientific techniques. These will include utilisation of in vitro cell culture models; basic microbiology and the culture of biofilm models; analytical chemistry techniques such as HPLC-MS to purify and characterise different glycolipids preparation; and next generation sequencing platforms to fully illude microbial populations.

As part of this project, we also plan to set up ex vivo skin and gut models to test the effects of these biosurfactants without having to utilise an animal model. The student will be involved with developing and validating these models.

Please note: Applications for more than one PhD studentships are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living