Bacteriophage-based biocontrol of pathogens in the food chain

The presence of Listeria in the food chain is a persistent threat to public health. In this project, the student will investigate the use of bacteriophages, viruses of bacteria, as biocontrol agents to act against Listeria present in the food production chain. The project will focus on phage discovery, characterisation and phage-host interactions linked with bacterial and phage genomics.

We are recruiting a motivated student on a funded project at the Quadram Institute Bioscience in the groups of Dr Evelien Adriaenssens (specialised in bacteriophages and viromics) and Dr Matthew Gilmour (focus on Listeria and other invasive pathogens, and leader of networks that connect research with science-focused food businesses). The student will learn a variety of techniques in microbiology, phage biology, genomics and bioinformatics to improve our understanding of phage-host interactions and phage-based biocontrol to improve food safety.

The ideal candidate has at minimum an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology or equivalent. Experience of working with bacterial pathogens and/or phages is desirable, but not required. Most importantly, a passion for bacteriophage research is a must. We are looking for a candidate who is willing and enthusiastic to learn a range of different laboratory and computational skills, and has an interest in building new scientific solutions based on the food safety needs of UK food producers.

The PhD student will be based in the new purpose-built Quadram Institute building located on the Norwich Research Park, where they will join a vibrant research community at the interface between fundamental and translational research into food safety and the microbiome. The Quadram Institute offers a wide range of training opportunities, laboratory and computational scientific support and funding to attend conferences, preparing the student for any career of their choice

References

Elek CA, Brown TL, Le Viet T, Evans R, Baker DJ, Telatin A, Tiwari SK, Al-Khanaq H, Thilliez G, Kingsley RA, Hall LJ, Webber MA, Adriaenssens EM (2023) A hybrid and poly-polish workflow for the complete and accurate assembly of phage genomes: a case study of ten przondoviruses. Microbial Genomics 9:001065.

Acton L, Pye HV, Thilliez G, Kolenda R, Matthews M, Turner KA, Yasir M, Holden E, Al-Khanaq H, Webber M, Adriaenssens EM, Kingsley RA (2024) Collateral sensitivity increases the efficacy of a rationally designed bacteriophage cocktail combination to control Salmonella enterica. Journal of Virology e01476-23

Gilmour MW, Graham M, Van Domselaar G, Tyler S, Kent H, Trout-Yakel KM, Larios O, Allen V, Lee B, Nadon C (2010) High-throughput genome sequencing of two Listeria monocytogenes clinical isolates during a large foodborne outbreak. BMC Genomics 11:120.