[Available through MIBTP funding program. Details at https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/phd/supervisors/ychen .] This PhD project at the University of Birmingham investigates the critical role of lipid remodelling in bacteria-host interactions, with a particular focus on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Antimicrobial resistance is a major global health challenge, and understanding the molecular strategies pathogens use to survive antibiotic treatment is essential for developing new therapeutic approaches. The research centers on the hypothesis that bacteria remodel their membrane lipids in response to environmental stimuli, which in turn affects membrane permeability, protein recruitment, and ultimately, resistance to antibiotics. Recent discoveries by the research team have identified a central pathway responsible for bacterial lipid remodelling, which is prevalent in diverse and clinically important pathogens such as Burkholderia cenocepacia. This pathway not only contributes to antimicrobial resistance but also plays a vital role in intracellular survival, subverting host autophagy, and evading innate immune responses. The project will utilize advanced omics techniques (including transcriptomics and proteomics), confocal imaging, and cellular biology approaches to elucidate the connections between lipid remodelling, antimicrobial resistance, and intracellular survival, using B. cenocepacia as a model organism. Supervised by Professor Yin Chen, the successful candidate will join a dynamic research environment and benefit from interdisciplinary training in molecular microbiology, cell biology, and cutting-edge analytical methods. The project is funded through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP), which provides comprehensive support for PhD students, including tuition and stipend. For further details on the funding program, visit the MIBTP supervisor page. Applicants should possess a strong academic background in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or related fields, and demonstrate enthusiasm for molecular and cellular research. Experience with omics technologies or imaging methods is advantageous. International candidates may need to provide proof of English language proficiency. The application deadline is May 1, 2025. To apply, submit your electronic application via the University of Birmingham portal and consult the full job description for eligibility details. For academic inquiries, contact Professor Yin Chen at [email protected]. References for further reading include Shropshire et al. (2023, bioRxiv) and Jones et al. (2021, ISME J). This project offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the fight against antimicrobial resistance and advance our understanding of host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level.

[Available through the MIBTP funding program. Details at https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/phd/supervisors/ychen .] This PhD project at the University of Birmingham investigates the critical role of lipid remodelling in bacteria-host interactions, with a particular focus on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Antimicrobial resistance is a major global health threat, and understanding the molecular strategies pathogens use to survive antibiotic challenges is essential for developing new therapeutic approaches. The research centers on the hypothesis that membrane lipid remodelling in bacteria, such as Burkholderia cenocepacia, is a key but overlooked factor in resistance and intracellular survival. Lipid remodelling allows bacteria to selectively alter their membrane composition in response to environmental stimuli, potentially affecting membrane permeability and the recruitment of outer membrane proteins like efflux pumps. These changes can influence how antibiotics penetrate and are trafficked through the bacterial membrane, impacting the effectiveness of treatments. The project builds on recent discoveries of the central pathway responsible for bacterial lipid remodelling, which is common in diverse and clinically important pathogens. This pathway is also implicated in subverting host autophagy and innate immune responses, making it a promising target for further study. Students will employ advanced omics techniques (transcriptomics and proteomics), confocal imaging, and cellular biology approaches to explore the link between lipid remodelling, antimicrobial resistance, and intracellular survival. The model organism for this research is B. cenocepacia, a pathogen of significant clinical relevance. The project is supervised by Professor Yin Chen, an expert in bacterial lipid biology and host-pathogen interactions. Funding for this position is available through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP) program, which supports interdisciplinary bioscience research. Applicants should have a strong background in biological sciences, biochemistry, microbiology, or related fields, and experience with molecular or cellular biology techniques is advantageous. International candidates may need to demonstrate English language proficiency. The application deadline is May 1, 2026. Interested candidates should submit their application via the University of Birmingham's online portal and consult the MIBTP program page for funding details. For academic inquiries, Professor Yin Chen can be contacted directly. This opportunity is ideal for students passionate about microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, and innovative research at the interface of biology and medicine.

[The project is available through the MIBTP funding program. Funding details are available at https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mibtp/phd/supervisors/ychen .] This PhD project at the University of Birmingham focuses on uncovering the role of lipid remodelling in bacteria-host interactions, with a particular emphasis on antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is a critical global health issue, and understanding the mechanisms by which bacteria evade antibiotics is essential for developing new therapeutic strategies. The project investigates whether the remodelling of membrane lipids in bacteria represents an overlooked mechanism of resistance. Lipid remodelling allows bacteria to selectively alter their membrane composition in response to environmental stimuli, potentially affecting the permeability and selectivity of the outer membrane and mediating resistance to antibiotics. The research hypothesizes that changes in membrane composition influence the recruitment of outer membrane proteins, such as efflux pumps, thereby impacting antibiotic trafficking. Recent discoveries in the supervising lab have identified a central pathway for bacterial lipid remodelling, which is common among diverse and clinically important pathogens, including Burkholderia cenocepacia. This pathway is also crucial for intracellular survival and plays a significant role in subverting host autophagy and innate immune responses. The project will utilize advanced omics approaches (transcriptomics and proteomics), confocal imaging, and cellular biology techniques (including work with macrophages and autophagy biomarkers) to elucidate the connections between lipid remodelling, antimicrobial resistance, and intracellular survival, using B. cenocepacia as a model organism. The position is supervised by Professor Yin Chen and is funded through the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP) program. Applicants should have a strong background in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or a related field, and experience with laboratory research is desirable. The application deadline is May 1, 2025. Interested candidates should apply online via the University of Birmingham portal and may contact Professor Chen for further information. Full funding details and further information about the supervisor are available at the provided links.