Bastiaan Krom

This PhD project focuses on developing and evaluating endolysin-based therapies against implant-associated biofilm infections. The work is part of the NWO-funded EPIC consortium, which brings together ACTA, the University of Twente, Micreos, LipoCoat, and clinical partners to develop endolysin-loaded nanocarriers for preventing and treating infections linked to prosthetic implants. You will investigate how novel endolysin formulations perform against clinically relevant staphylococcal pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , and MRSA, in both planktonic and biofilm settings. The project also includes the development of advanced in vitro infection systems, such as microfluidic models, to study intracellular staphylococci, resistance development, cytotoxicity, immune responses, and effects on bone-related cells. The position is embedded in an interdisciplinary research environment at ACTA, where you will be based in both the Department of Preventive Dentistry and the Department of Oral Cell Biology. The project connects microbiology, cell biology, biomaterials, and host-microbe interactions, and includes collaboration with academic and industrial consortium partners. You will also contribute to scientific publications and conference presentations during the PhD. The supervisory team consists of Prof. dr. Bastiaan Krom, Prof. dr. Astrid Bakker, dr. ing. Michel Hoogenkamp, and dr. Jianfeng Jin at ACTA, part of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.