My PhD project is based on the encapsulation of next-generation, narrow spectrum antibiotics. The issue of antibiotic resistance is of huge concern due to the essential antibiotic use in many industries (chemotherapy, organ transplantation, farming etc). My research is based upon the use of bacteriophages, bacteriocins and endolysins to treat bacterial infections. Bacteriophages are viruses specifically adapted to infect and destroy bacterial cells, without having any effect on human cells. Bacteriocins and endolysins are protein antibiotics which inactivate specific strains of bacteria.
However, the limiting factor towards use of these agents as antibiotics remains with the delivery to the site of infection. I have spent the last three years investigating formulations and microencapsulation techniques to protect these antibacterial agents against many defences in the human body (gastric exposure, proteases etc.) and deliver them to specific sites along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Before starting my PhD, I completed a BSc in Microbiology at the University of Nottingham. It was straight after my BSc that I decided to do a PhD at Loughborough. My lecturers at Nottingham had a good relationship with Loughborough University and made me aware of the PhD position when it became available. The PhD project was closely related to my undergraduate research project, which was based upon the use of bacteriophages to measure growth rates of Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain. Therefore, I already had experience working with phages and was keen to continue my research.
The initial reason I chose Loughborough was due to the PhD opportunity being offered here. As I studied at the University of Nottingham’s Sutton Bonington campus during my undergraduate degree, I was familiar with Loughborough before starting. Having a tour of the campus after my PhD offer secured my decision; Loughborough has a strong community-based ethos and an excellent campus for study and sports.
I’ve always been fascinated with microbiology, working with living organisms you can’t even see! During my undergraduate degree I enjoyed the lab aspects the most, and knew I wanted to continue in research afterwards. When the PhD opportunity arose at Loughborough, based on a topic I was already interested and experienced in, I was so excited to start. As well as this, within the life sciences sector, many jobs required a PhD so it was a definite route I wanted to take to progress my education and future career.