[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.