Surfaces for the elimination of Clostridiodes difficile spores

Production of antimicrobial resistant spores by C. difficile and their dispersal in the environment  facilitates the transmission of Clostridiodes difficile associated disease, especially in healthcare environments. The spores are resistant to common disinfectants and biocides, thus allowing them to withstand hospital cleaning regimes. If instead, a spore can be induced to germinate, it will be  more sensitive to common antimicrobials and it may be readily eliminated by common disinfectants and biocides. Certain bile acids and co-germinants are known to initiate spore germination. It is hypothesised that a suitable surface-anchored bile acid derivative might be able to initiate germination in C. difficile spores. If this could be combined with an antimicrobial component, then there would be the possibility for a spore germination-extermination dual-action material that could potentially be deployed as antimicrobial surfaces in the clinical environment. Therefore, the aim of this  project is to produce surfaces with attached bioactive entities that are able to initiate germination of C. difficile spores, and which also have general wide-spectrum antimicrobial properties. The Aston team has experience in the synthesis and screening of bile acid related germinants of the general type required. The chemistry is amenable to analogue synthesis for the optimisation of the material properties and the associated desired C. difficile germinant and antimicrobial activities. Such spore germination-extermination dual-action materials could be a useful weapon in the fight against microbial infection in the clinical setting. The major component of the project is synthetic organic chemistry, and this will be complemented by biological screening of the material produced.

References
•    A Revised Understanding of Clostridioides difficile Spore Germination. Lawler, A., Lambert, P. & Worthington, T., 1 Sep 2020, In: Trends in Microbiology. 28, 9, p. 744-752 9
•    Physical and chemical factors influencing the germination of Clostridium difficile spores, Wheeldon, L. J., Worthington, T., Hilton, A., Elliott, T. S. J. & Lambert, P. A., Dec 2008, In: Journal of Applied Microbiology. 105, 6, p. 2223-2230
 

PhD programmes are for those who are seeking to develop greater in-depth knowledge in a specific area. Completing this level of study is about making an original contribution to knowledge, making new discoveries and developing lifelong skills. 

At Aston University, our Engineering and Physical Sciences PhD programmes will provide all the support and facilities you will need to develop into a leading researcher in your chosen field.  You will be welcomed into a supportive community with a shared enthusiasm for original research, where diversity and multidisciplinary is championed.

For formal enquiries about this project contact:

Dr Dan Rathbone, Dr Tony Worthington, Dr Amelia Lawler

Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:
•    A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1. 
OR 
•    A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1, and a Masters degree in a relevant subject with an award of Merit or higher.
Qualifications from other countries which are considered by Aston University to be equivalent to that described above will be eligible to apply.

Essential criteria:
•    Good Coding Skill and willing to evolve them along the journey. 
•    Basics on IP networking
 

We can only consider applications that are complete and have all supporting documents. Applications that do not provide all the relevant documents will be automatically rejected. Your application must include: 

1. English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.
    
2. A Research Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count. 
    
3. A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience. 
    
4. Two academic referees who can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary. 
    
5. Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage. 
    
6. A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.

Interviews

Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted directly with details of the interview.  

Contact information

For formal enquiries about this project, contact Dr David Benton

Studying a PhD is great route into academia and industries that are centred on research and innovation. Areas with a demand for very high level and specialised research skills often demand PhDs.

In addition to this specialist knowledge, PhD education will help you to develop a set of valuable transferrable skills. The very nature of studying an intensive research degree will enable you to become a team player, develop problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and advanced presentation and communication skills.

The variety of PhD project topics at Aston means that the destinations of our graduates vary substantially. Some choose to continue into academia, at either Aston or other leading institutions, while others go onto use their newly acquired skills in a range of research, healthcare, industry or charitable fields. When selecting your chosen PhD path at Aston, your supervisor will be able to provide you with relevant career opportunities that could be available to you in your specialist area.