PhD project: Bacterial Biofilm Matrix Remodelling in Complex and Dynamic Environments
Project description
The most prevalent form of bacterial life on our planet are surface-associated communities known as biofilms. This behaviour is ubiquitous across the microbial world and a clear understanding of biofilm genesis, development, and maturation is important not only from a fundamental biological perspective but also impacts many industrial, clinical, and environmental sectors with an economic significance of more than $5000bn a year. There is currently a concerted global research effort focused on preventing, detecting, managing, and engineering microbial biofilms either to exploit their beneficial properties or eliminate them when they are harmful or damaging.
A defining feature of biofilms is the production of an extracellular polymeric matrix that encases the community providing adhesive strength and mechanical structure to the population, acts as a scaffold for cellular organization and signaling, and can function as a shield against antimicrobial treatment and host immunity responses.
Recently, we discovered that Bacillus subtilis, a common soil-dwelling bacterium, dramatically changes its extracellular matrix composition in response to temperature. This suggests that B. subtilis can adapt and change its local environment in response to external cues. The aim of this PhD. project is to determine whether and how matrix composition matters: does a given matrix provide better protection against competitor organisms or help colonise new environments? You will uncover the mechanistic strategies and biophysical repercussions of B. subtilis matrix remodelling and adaptation when biofilms are exposed to dynamic environmental perturbations and stresses. To do this you will use methods such as microfluidics to tightly control the environment in time and space, better mimicking the complex environments where biofilms dwell in the natural world.
In this highly interdisciplinary project, you will learn and deploy ideas and techniques from physics, microbiology, engineering and materials sciences during this PhD. You will also work in close collaboration with Prof. Nicola Stanley-Wall (Division of Molecular Microbiology, Dundee University) and Prof. Cait MacPhee (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh). Our links with the National Biofilm Innovation Centre (biofilms.ac.uk) will provide many opportunities for training, career development, and networking.
Project supervisor
- Dr Ryan Morris (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
The project supervisor welcomes informal enquiries about this project.
Find out more about this research area
The links below summarise our research in the area(s) relevant to this project:
- Find out more about Physics of Living Matter.
- Find out more about the Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems.
What next?
- Find out how to apply for our PhD degrees.
- Find out about fees and funding and studentship opportunities.
- View and complete the application form (on the main University website).
- Find out how to contact us for more information.