PhD Project in Bacteriophage Synthetic Biology
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The Jaschke Lab is seeking an innovative and highly motivated PhD student candidate to work within a multidisciplinary team on a cutting-edge NHMRC-funded project at the intersection of synthetic biology and phage therapy: engineering new phage to address antibiotic resistant uropathogenic E. coli infections. |
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Background
Antimicrobial resistance is increasing at an alarming rate globally and there is an urgent need to develop alternative, and potentially complementary, therapeutics to combat pathogenic microbes. Recently, uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) in urinary tract infections has emerged as a difficult to treat and increasingly antibiotic-resistant pathogen. Bacteriophage, or phage for short, are viruses which infect bacteria and are increasingly being seen as a viable complementary therapy to antibiotics. Unfortunately, before bacteriophage can be used widely several key roadblocks must be addressed, including host-range that is too narrow, and rapid bacterial resistance. In this project we aim to create new synthetic phage to address uropathogenic E. coli while addressing the shortcomings of standard phage therapy. Successful outcomes of this project will be peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, intellectual property generation, and the chance to make a positive difference in the lives of people chronically infected by UPEC pathogens.
Candidate
To be eligible to apply the candidate must:
1. Be considered a Domestic student (Australian citizen or permanent resident)
2. Completed either a:
(a). Master of Research (MRes) with a grade of at least a Distinction level (75% or greater in second year; or
(b). Master of Philosophy; or
(c) Two-year Masters degree with a major research component at Distinction level (75% or greater).
We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
Project Information
The project will be hosted at Macquarie University in a brand new synthetic biology lab with Dr. Paul Jaschke as primary supervisor. Dr. Karen Weynberg at the University of Queensland will serve as a secondary supervisor.
To discuss an application to this project, please send a CV, copies of publications (if applicable) and information on your current situation and desired timeline of application to: [email protected]
Antimicrobial resistance is increasing at an alarming rate globally and there is an urgent need to develop alternative, and potentially complementary, therapeutics to combat pathogenic microbes. Recently, uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) in urinary tract infections has emerged as a difficult to treat and increasingly antibiotic-resistant pathogen. Bacteriophage, or phage for short, are viruses which infect bacteria and are increasingly being seen as a viable complementary therapy to antibiotics. Unfortunately, before bacteriophage can be used widely several key roadblocks must be addressed, including host-range that is too narrow, and rapid bacterial resistance. In this project we aim to create new synthetic phage to address uropathogenic E. coli while addressing the shortcomings of standard phage therapy. Successful outcomes of this project will be peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, intellectual property generation, and the chance to make a positive difference in the lives of people chronically infected by UPEC pathogens.
Candidate
To be eligible to apply the candidate must:
1. Be considered a Domestic student (Australian citizen or permanent resident)
2. Completed either a:
(a). Master of Research (MRes) with a grade of at least a Distinction level (75% or greater in second year; or
(b). Master of Philosophy; or
(c) Two-year Masters degree with a major research component at Distinction level (75% or greater).
We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
Project Information
The project will be hosted at Macquarie University in a brand new synthetic biology lab with Dr. Paul Jaschke as primary supervisor. Dr. Karen Weynberg at the University of Queensland will serve as a secondary supervisor.
To discuss an application to this project, please send a CV, copies of publications (if applicable) and information on your current situation and desired timeline of application to: [email protected]
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