PhD project: Developing tractable model systems for filamentous bacteria in wastewater treatment
Project description
Wastewater treatment (WWT) is arguably the most important biotechnological application in the world. Each day, large volumes of influent wastewater are processed in municipal WWT plants so that safe effluent is returned to the water cycle. It is the metabolic activity of flocculating bacteria that make this process work. In short, the bacteria degrade dissolved pollutants in the wastewater whilst forming compact flocs, which are then separated from the liquid under gravity. WWT flocs consist of micron-sized bacteria “glued” together by “sticky” polymers. Understanding the interactions underpinning polymer-mediated bacterial (colloidal) aggregation lies in the domain of soft matter. Therefore, the student will use the principles of soft matter to develop a simple experimental model for WWT bacteria, with a particular emphasis on filamentous cells. These are crucial for floc strength and structural integrity, however, too many filaments disrupt floc structure and give rise to a diffuse network that prevents compaction and subsequent settling. In this project, the student will design and perform experiments (with scope for computational modeling) to characterise the structure and dynamics of aggregating filamentous cells isolated from WWT
Students interested in working on bacteria & wastewater are encouraged to apply to the SOFI CDT
Deadline 28th Nov 2021
Contact Dr. Gavin Melaugh for more information
Project supervisors
- Dr. Gavin Melaugh (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
- Professor Cait MacPhee (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
The project supervisors welcome 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 Soft Matter Physics.
- 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.
More PhD projects
- Browse other Physics of Living Matter projects.
- Browse other Soft Matter Physics projects.
- Browse other Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems projects.
- Browse all PhD research opportunities in the School of Physics & Astronomy.
- Browse PhD research opportunities elsewhere in the University of Edinburgh.