Exploring aspects of bacterial dormancy in the environment

Project Description:

The research group of Dr Sariqa Wagley (NERC Independent Research Fellow) based in the Biosciences department at the University of Exeter, focuses on understanding bacterial dormancy with an overarching aim of finding new ways to predict and prevent infections from arising. They are leading research on how bacterial species that lay dormant in the environment (in aquaculture settings) can resuscitate to actively growing cells when conditions are fortuitous for their growth and thus go on to cause disease. They have expertise in molecular microbiology, field sampling, fluorescently activated cell sorting, imaging flow cytometry, proteomics and sequencing. The student will be part of a lively inclusive and dynamic group that care about the benefits of work life balance and research integrity. The student will also benefit from being part of the Microbes and Disease Group and Exeter Microfluidics networks within Biosciences and will further extend the community of interdisciplinary experts the student can work with.

When bacteria encounter extreme or unfavourable environmental conditions they enter a state of dormancy to protect themselves, however, they can re-awaken when favourable environmental conditions return. These re-emergent blooms can be hazardous to the environment and in some cases to human health. A major problem in the prevention of bacterial diseases is that dormant cells are not detectable by routine tests making them difficult to study. In this project, we will exploit new approaches to understand the ways (mechanisms) by which dormant bacterial Vibrio cells (our study organism) emerge as active disease-causing pathogens in the environment to provide a springboard for future projects for predicting and preventing Vibrio disease establishment in wild shellfisheries and farmed shellfish, and the protection of human health. The student will detect and quantify Vibrio species in their various functional states (active and non-active) from water, sediment, and shellfish sites from a coastal site in Devon, England and will require a background in molecular microbiology or microbiology. There will be opportunities to carry out field work and gain expertise in a broad range cutting-edge techniques including flow cytometry, cell sorting, and preparing samples analysis of whole bacterial communities. This project will be flexible and will be developed together with Dr Sariqa Wagley depending on the strength and interests of the PhD student.

The project involves collaboration with Dr Craig Baker- Austin and Mr Andy Powell, research scientists based at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas). Cefas are the National Reference Laboratory for bacteriological contamination of live bivalve shellfish and are concerned about bacterial pathogens associated with this important food commodity. Cefas are collaborators of the lead supervisor (Dr Sariqa Wagley) as part of her NERC Independent Research Fellowship and will provide their expertise and knowledge on UK shellfisheries including access to

local sites that will be used for sampling during this project. Cefas also hold the world’s largest Vibrio species culture collection. They will allow us access to a wide range of strains from this culture collection if we need them. The student will present data and findings to Cefas which will inform future policy and risk mitigation strategies against pathogenic Vibrio species

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit for 3.5 years of full-time study to commence on 1st May 2025. This award provides annual funding to cover Home tuition fees and a tax-free stipend. For students who pay Home tuition fees the award will cover the tuition fees in full, plus at least £19,237 per year tax-free stipend. The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Entry requirements:

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology. Applicants with a Lower Second-Class degree will be considered if they also have Master’s degree or relevant lab experience.  Previous lab experience is desirable. The student should be motivated by microbiology, the environment and public health. They should be enthusiastic and committed to the project as well as collaborative and team orientated. If English is not your first language you will need to meet the required level as per our guidance at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/apply/english/

How to apply

In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents.

· CV

• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).

• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)

• Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to [email protected] quoting the studentship reference number.

• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 8th November 2024. Interviews will be held virtually or in person at the University of Exeter (Streatham campus) in the week commencing 25th November 2024.

If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email [email protected] or phone 0300 555 60 60 (UK callers) +44 (0) 1392 723044 (EU/International callers) Project-specific queries should be directed to the main supervisor.