Applications for this project are now closed.
The increased prevalence of multi antibiotic-resistant pathogens has been listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the biggest threats to modern day healthcare, food security and development. Short antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are attracting attention as an alternative to conventional antibiotics, and can be used to target a range of microbes including viruses, fungus, bacteria and parasites. Moreover, short antimicrobial peptides that can self-assemble into ordered larger structures may have improved half-life in vivo and may be able to self-deliver.
In this project, the successful student will aim to characterise the properties of two charged antimicrobial peptides using Small Angle-X Ray Scattering (SAXS). They will also prepare lipid bilayers based on different bacteria species and human cells, to determine how the membrane is restructured which may lead to the antimicrobial activity, and effect toxicity to human cells. The student will participate in beamtime at B21 high-throughput SAXS beamline and use this acquired data to determine how the peptides are interacting with the bacteria cell membrane. This research will contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms antimicrobial peptides take when causing bacteria cell death, providing greater understanding to design better antimicrobial agents.
Please apply via our online application portal. The vacancy that you are applying for is the "Summer Placements 2022" listing, you will then have the opportunity to select up to three projects to apply for. This project's reference is 22007SP.
Applications are now closed with interviews scheduled for 7, 8, 9 and 10 February 2022.
If you are disabled and would like to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please let us know via the online application process.
Please note that this role does not meet the required skill level for a Skilled Worker visa and therefore we would be unable to sponsor individuals due to the current UK Home Office immigration rules. To be appointed to the role, candidates will need to have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship from us.
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