ProfessorJonathan Iredell

Project Opportunities

Title: Antibiotic resistance genetics in Gram-negative bacteria

Summary of opportunity:

Antibiotic resistance genes in Gram-negative bacteria.

Opportunity synopsis:

The flux of antibiotic resistance genes and their vehicles is the principal determinant of real-time evolution of resistance in the clinical microflora. We have developed an extensive collection which represents the entire microflora of Intensive Care patients and all their infecting pathogens and begun detailed genetic analyses on the mechanisms of resistance to major antibiotics. Potential areas for study within this project range from clinical research on the impact of antibiotics, through bacterial and plasmid population analyses, to the detailed genetics of antibiotic resistance and bacterial gene transfer systems. We have developed rapid diagnostic tools in our laboratory capable of identifying multiple antibiotic resistance genes in a single assay and will be starting to bring these into clinical trails in the next few years.

Project Opportunities

Title: Phage therapy for intracellular pathogens

Summary of opportunity:

The aim of the project is to define phage-antibiotic activities against intracellular enteric pathogens.

Opportunity synopsis:

Shigella infections are becoming untreatable due to the arising of multidrug resistant bacterial strains. Antibiotic efficacy can be achieved with synergistic drug combinations and adjunct phage therapy. For this project we will identify phages against Shigella (pathogen of major public health concern).

The successful candidate will gain skills in the development of phage cocktails, basic phage purification techniques, design of diagnostic tools, microscopy, bacterial mutagenesis, bacterial and phage genomics and epidemiology. Work will involve the use of appropriate cell, tissue and/or animal models. The PhD candidate will also participate in the development of regulatory approvals, when needed.

The suitable candidate will display the following background, skills and experience:

·         Biomedical scientist with a good understanding of both molecular and cell biology, especially bacterial genetics and physiology.

·         Expertise in bacteriophage, desirable.

·         Expertise in classical microbiology techniques (e.g. bacterial growth and identification; sterile technique), preferred

·         Experience in cell culture, preferred.

·         Experience in basic molecular biology (DNA extraction; PCR; qPCR etc.), preferred

·         Experience in bioinformatics or microbial genomics, desirable

----------Current Research Projects----------

Graduate student places are limited at present but research training opportunities exist and new ideas are welcomed in the following areas:

1. Epidemiology of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic resistance plasmids in key members of the Enterobacteriaceae

2. Determinants of host range in plasmids of the Enterobacteriaceae, particularly with regard to the distribution and genetics of conjugation and addiction systems.

3. The influence of selection pressure on the microflora

4. Development of rapid typing systems and rapid diagnostics, particularly in the area of transmissible antibiotic resistance in bacterial agents of severe sepsis and shock

5. Clinical and biological predictors of outcome in sepsis and septic shock

6. Novel/ alternative approaches to bacterial infection and antibiotic resistance, including

a. plasmid interference therapy

b. bacteriophage therapy