Details
During the twentieth century antibiotics were responsible for a revolution in medical care: previously very serious or fatal bacterial diseases and infections became treatable, frequently with just a course of tablets. But, factors such as climate change, population growth, urbanization, agricultural industrialization, and the overuse of antibiotics has meant that bacteria, including disease-causing pathogens, are becoming increasingly resistant to current antibiotic treatments. With the emergence of multidrug- or even pan-resistant strains, conditions such as urinary tract and lower lung infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat. The World Health Organization have declared this rise in antimicrobial resistance, AMR, a Global Emergency. Unless this situation is addressed, the threat that many diseases will become once again untreatable will become increasingly likely. If new antimicrobial treatments are not discovered the risk that even a minor cut could become fatal will return. The fact that no new class of antibiotics has been identified for >40 years makes the situation all the more concerning.
The Thomas group has identified several luminescent metal complex “theragnostics” that simultaneously act as bacterial imaging agents and therapeutics. These compounds are broad-spectrum antimicrobials that are active against a wide range of AMR pathogens. Using a combination of chemical synthesis and live cell studies this project will seek to optimize the properties of the main lead compound that is being commercially developed by the SME, MetalloBio Ltd.
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the project supervisors to discuss your interest in and suitability for the project prior to submitting your application.
Please refer to the EPSRC DTP webpage for detailed information about the EPSRC DTP and how to apply.
Project ID: CHM-01-Thomas
Funding Notes
The award will fund the full (UK or Overseas) tuition fee and UKRI stipend (currently £18,622 per annum) for 3.5 years, as well as a research grant to support costs associated with the project.
