PhD Study : Towards new topical therapies for antibiotic-resistant inflammatory acne​

Summary

​The skin microbiome is complex, comprising a multiplicity of species that colonise distinct areas with different ecological properties. While these organisms normally promote skin health, they can also cause opportunistic infection. The chronic, inflammatory and recurrent skin condition acne vulgaris, commonly referred to as acne, is a disease of the pilosebaceous unit (hair, hair follicle, erector pili muscle and sebaceous gland) and, strikingly, the eighth most prevalent disease globally, affecting approximately 10% of the world’s population [1]. In many patients, acne progresses into a severe and devastating condition that leads to permanent scarring of the skin. The anaerobic skin bacterium Cutibacterium acnes is believed to play a pivotal role in the inflammatory phase of acne lesion development and, as a consequence, topical and oral antibiotics have been widely used, often for months at a time, to treat the condition [2]. This has now led to the development of C. acnes strains that are resistant to first line antibiotic therapies [3].

The emergence of such ‘super-bug’ strains is extremely alarming, raising the possibility that in the near-future patients will not respond to conventional antibiotics currently used to manage the condition. Indeed, patients with severe and recalcitrant forms of the condition due to multi-drug resistant strains are already being referred to secondary and tertiary care settings for specialised treatment. Even more worrisome is that some of these patients are also non-responsive to oral retinoids, possibly due to the enhanced capacity of these resistant strains to form biofilms and/ or survive intracellularly. As a consequence, new treatment strategies for acne that can eliminate, or increase the effectiveness of antibiotics at lower doses, especially as topical formulations, are urgently required. Microbial biosurfactants, which are complex amphiphilic surface-active agents, have many bioactivities, including anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and possibly anti-inflammatory properties, which sets them apart from many of the purely chemical surfactants [4-7].

At Ulster University, microbial biosurfactant research has a long history and, consequently, we are well placed to investigate microbial biosurfactants as novel, topical treatments for inflammatory acne. As a consequence, the major aims of this project are:

To investigate antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of microbial biosurfactants against a unique and large Biobank of highly characterized multi-drug resistant strains of C. acnes isolated from patients with severe recalcitrant papulopustular and nodular acne, as well as strains associated with skin health.

To determine if microbial biosurfactants can be used synergistically with common acne antibiotics to reduce the effective topical dose of the latter against antibiotic sensitive ‘acnegenic’ strains.

To ascertain the effects of microbial biosurfactants on skin microbiota within complex 3D skin models, as well as skin-derived cells. ​

The PhD researcher will gain valuable skills in the areas of biochemistry, medical microbiology and cell biology.

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