Project Code
MRCIIAR26Ca Parmeggiani
Project Type
The project combines dry- and wet-lab elements but aligns more closely with a wet-lab based project considering the costs needed to deliver the work.
Research Theme
Infection, Immunity, Antimicrobial Resistance and Repair
Project Summary Download
Summary
Microorganisms grow as biofilms on surfaces, from teeth to surgical implants to the lining of lungs. Biofilms are dense cell aggregates embedded in a complex matrix of molecules that surrounds and protects the cells and provides resistance to antimicrobials. This project will hijack this protection to design specific matrix-binding proteins that deliver agents to trigger biofilm degradation and improve the delivery of antimicrobials. The student will develop and apply computational methods to design novel proteins able to recognise specific biofilm matrix polysaccharides, and then exploit microbiology and microscopy techniques to test their efficacy in the lab using bacterial biofilm models.
Lead Supervisor
Dr Fabio Parmeggiani
Lead Supervisor Email
University Affiliation
Cardiff