One of our research interests is focussed on infection control of norovirus.
In a new feature article for the Applied Microbiology International magazine, The Microbiologist, Ph.D. student Brandon Moulds writes about tackling norovirus with an improved disinfection system, a novel polyacrylonitrile (PAN) catalyst to enhance the efficacy of biocides such as hydrogen peroxide.
The article was published in The Microbiologist in October 2024, and has also been reproduced on our blog here.
PhD student Gemma Cooper was selected by the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, to attend the Life Beyond PhD Conference at Cumberland Lodge from 12 - 16 August 2024. This prestigious annual conference brings together postgraduate doctoral students from a range of disciplines to explore academic research, and develop collaborations and public engagement skills.
Of the experience, Gemma said, "Attending the Life beyond the PhD conference at Cumberland Lodge was an unforgettable experience. The conference took place on the Windsor estate, and the breathtaking surroundings added an extra layer of magic to the event.
"The conference covered valuable topics like communication, presenting for different audiences, and social media strategies for research. A memorable session focused on writing skills, where we explored different styles of writing about our research - I even managed to describe my PhD in the form of a haiku, which was a challenge! A personal highlight was delivering an impromptu, inspiring talk about the benefits of being a night owl, which I managed to pull off with just 5 minutes of preparation.
The event was geared towards collaborative working. This was especially evident in a role-play session where we were split into groups with different roles and tasked with finding a solution to a proposed dam. Different groups, each representing stakeholders like engineers, environmentalists, and local residents, had to come together to discuss solutions. One group played activists and staged enthusiastic protests, which made the session very energetic and interactive. Our group (the scientists) came up with the fun idea of using a beaver-built dam as part of the solution! It was a fantastic session that brought together a lot of the skills we learned throughout the week and was highly engaging.
I gained an amazing group of friends, all with very different backgrounds and interests. Overall, the conference was a unique experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally."
Project: Development of broad-spectrum host-targeting antivirals against coronaviruses.
Start date: 1 Jan 2025
About the project: Viruses manipulate host pathways upon infection, activating cellular signalling pathways leading to changes in host cell protein phosphorylation. Kinases that regulate these pathways have been suggested to be important antiviral drug targets. We have identified several kinase-targeting proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) molecules that have anti-coronavirus activity. This project aims to take this further, to develop these PROTACs as pan-coronavirus inhibitors and investigate their mechanism of action using a combination of molecular biology and cell biology techniques. This project provides a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of virology research, making important contributions towards understanding the fundamental aspects of coronaviruses, as well as having a positive impact on public health measures for infection control.
More information about the project can be found here.
Funding: Fully-funded for UK students. Includes stipend at the UKRI rate (currently £19,237/year).
Eligibility: Applicants must:
Possess a UK Honours degree in Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences or related fields with at least an upper second class (or overseas equivalent), a Masters Degree in similar fields, or an academic or professional qualification plus experience in their sector or industry.
Be enthusiastic about the research topic.
Demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences.
Be self-motivated and able to work independently and with a team.
Demonstrate competence in the use of the English language. Please see section 5b here for further details on meeting our English language entry criteria.
How to apply:
Please send the following documents to PGRscholarships@dmu.ac.uk:
A completed DMU Scholarship Application Form
A 2-page CV
Please see the DMU Scholarship website for more details on the application process.
Deadline: 26 July 2024
