PhD Studentship: Mechanisms of Action of Sodium Bicarbonate on Oral Biofilms

BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership, Researcher Academy

Research Title: Mechanisms of Action of Sodium Bicarbonate on Oral Biofilms

Research Description: Mechanisms of Action of Sodium Bicarbonate on Oral Biofilms

Supervisors: A/Prof Gleb Yakubov, Dr Stephan Heeb, Prof Morgan Alexander with Dr Rob Howlin (Haleon) and Dr David Bradshaw (Haleon)

Subject Area: Biosciences, Oral Microbiome, Surface Chemistry, Dentistry

We invite applications for a fully funded PhD position that aims to push the boundaries of oral health research. This project focuses on investigating the effectiveness of a commonly used oral care ingredient on oral biofilms, with the objective of providing a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of action of sodium bicarbonate.

Oral biofilms play a critical role in oral health, being associated with various oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease. By exploring the mechanisms of action of sodium bicarbonate, this project seeks to uncover the potential benefits of utilizing this ingredient as a preventive measure against biofilm formation on oral surfaces. The project takes an interdisciplinary approach, harnessing cutting-edge techniques from the fields of microbiology, material science, and biomolecular characterization. By integrating expertise from diverse disciplines, this project has the potential to drive innovation and foster knowledge exchange in the field of oral health.

This exciting collaboration brings together a cross-disciplinary team from the Faculty of Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham1,2 and Haleon3, a world-leading consumer health company renowned for its global oral care brands, including Sensodyne and Corsodyl.

If you are a motivated and passionate individual with a background in microbiology, material science, or related fields, and are eager to make a significant contribution to the field of oral health research, we encourage you to apply. PhD candidates joining this project will benefit from state-of-the-art research facilities, such as Biofluidic Microscopy and 3D OrbiSIMS mass spectrometry, expert supervision, and the opportunity to engage with industry partners to translate their research findings into real-world impact.

1 Faculty of Science: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/science/home.aspx

2 Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mhs/

3 Haleon: https://www.haleon.com/

Award Start Date: October 2023

Duration of Award: 4 years

Terms and Conditions: Home students are welcome to apply for this opportunity. Funding is available for four years from late September 2023. The award covers tuition fee (£4,712) at the home rate plus an annual stipend which was (£18,622) for 2023/24. This is set by the Research Councils.

Applicant Qualification Requirements: To apply and check your eligibility, please click go to https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/bbdtp/apply/how-to-apply.aspx and you can find further information about how to apply to our programme.

School/Faculty: School of Biosciences

Informal enquiries may be addressed to gleb.yakubov@nottingham.ac.uk or bbdtp@nottingham.ac.uk

Closing date: Apply by noon on 20th June 2023