Co-evolution of bacteriophage within bacterial microbiomes and development of phage therapies

Project Code

MRCIIAR26Ba Jones

Project Type

Wet lab

Research Theme

Infection, Immunity, Antimicrobial Resistance and Repair

Project Summary Download

Summary

Viruses that infect and kill bacteria (bacteriophage) are promising alternatives to antibiotics and could contribute to controlling antibiotic resistant pathogens. Working with the United Kingdom Health Security Agency, you will employ molecular, genomic, bioinformatic, and directed evolution techniques, in conjunction with models of polymicrobial infection, to answer fundamental questions about the co-evolution of bacteriophage within bacterial microbiomes. These studies are essential to understand how we could apply bacteriophage to treat problematic infections, including those which are antibiotic resistant. They also open up opportunities to use phage for microbiome modulation as a new way of preventing infections.

Lead Supervisor

Dr Brian Jones

Lead Supervisor Email

bvj20@bath.ac.uk

University Affiliation

Bath