PhD Study : Superbugs in the water - Sources of multiple antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments

Summary

Superbugs as bacteria with resistance against multiple antibiotics have become a frequent phenomenon in health care, often endangering successful outcomes of once routine medical interventions. For decades Enterococci were considered harmless intestinal bacteria.  However, multi-drug resistant enterococcal infections are now a leading cause of medical device-associated infections, e.g. for urinary drainage catheters. While processes of resistance proliferation in care settings are well documented, investigation of potential sources in other technical and natural environments has only just begun (Berendonk et al., 2015). Interactions between these bacteria, aquatic organisms and abiotic particles can promote resistance transfer between bacteria and other forms of resistance acquisition. Within and post water treatment such processes can result in the emergence of new pathogens.

This research will involve interdisciplinary collaboration with our group of researchers from environmental sciences, biomedical sciences and engineering. We have characterised resistance transfer in environmental Enterococcus isolates (Conwell et al., 2017) and have established that zooplankton filter feeders can facilitate resistance transfer by conjugation (Olanrewaju et al. 2019). The PhD research will extend the group’s work on facilitation of resistance transfer through aquatic filter feeders and will explore subsequent effects on the benthic environment. It will study bacterial interactions with solid matrices and monitor the impact of biofilm disruption on transfer and acquisition of antibiotic resistance.

This PhD project will suit students from a quantitative science background, including microbiology, chemistry and environmental sciences. Experience with aquatic environments is an advantage. Students should be able to demonstrate aptitude for designing laboratory and field experiments with microbes and other aquatic organisms and share our enthusiasm to address real-world problems of great environmental and health significance.

References:

Berendonk, T.U., C.M. Manaia, C. Merlin, D. Fatta-Kassinos, E. Cytryn, F. Walsh, H. Bürgmann, H. Sørum, M. Norström, M-N Pons, N. Kreuzinger, P. Huovinen, S. Stefani, T. Schwartz, V. Kisand, F. Baquero & J.L. Martinez 2015. Tackling antibiotic resistance: the environmental framework. Nature Reviews Microbiology 13: 310-317

Conwell, M., V. Daniels, P.J. Naughton, & J.S.G. Dooley 2017. Interspecies transfer of vancomycin, erythromycin and tetracycline resistance among Enterococcus species recovered from agrarian sources. BMC Microbiology 17: 19

Olanrewaju, T.O., M. MacCarron, M., J.S.G. Dooley & J. Arnscheidt (2019) Transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between Enterococcus faecalis strains in filter feeding zooplankton Daphnia magna and Daphnia pulex. Science of the Total Environment 659: 1168-1175

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.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

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
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

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