PhD Study : Potential beneficial effects of microbial biosurfactants on the human skin microbiome.

Summary

The human skin microbiome is highly complex and is composed of a multiplicity of different species from a somewhat restricted range of genera. The skin microbiome is made more complex by the fact that different areas of the body have a different flora dependent on the different conditions. Thus there are dry areas, such as the arm and leg surfaces, there are moist areas created in folded areas of skin and sebaceous areas where lipophilic bacteria predominate. Although the skin microbiome does contain some potentially pathogenic bacteria most of the members of the microbiome are neutral or beneficial in that they interact with the skin immune system and help to prevent infection.

Many of the companies involved in manufacturing personal care products, such as cosmetics, shampoos, toothpaste, mouthwashes and skin care creams are actively investigating the replacement of chemical surfactants in their products with biosurfactants produced from renewable resources. Surfactants are critical ingredients in many product formulations as they provide emulsification activity to allow aqueous and oily phases to be mixed.

This project will focus on the potential use of microbial biosurfactants such as rhamnolipids and sophorolipids in skin care products. One key feature of microbial biosurfactants is that they have additional bioactivities, such as antibacterial, anticancer and possibly anti-inflammatory which sets them apart from many of the purely chemical surfactants.

In this project the objective will be to determine whether prolonged use of a skin care product containing microbial biosurfactants could produce significant shifts in the composition of the skin microbiome that may be detrimental to health. The approach will involve the use of individual and mixed biosurfactants against skin microbial populations.

The project will concentrate on the flora of dry skin areas and will involve organisms such as Propionibacterium acnes, Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum and various species of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. The experimental approaches will include the use of molecular methods together with conventional culture methods using the Leeds Skin Model (Labskin) (Bojar RA, 2015 Applied In Vitro Toxicology 1, 165-171 doi:10.1089/aivt.2015.0002).

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

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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%
• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• 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