Thesis supervisor: Tamás Fehér
Location of studies (in Hungarian): The Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Abbreviation of location of studies: SZBK
Description of the research topic:
One of the most acute problems challenging human health is the worldwide increase seen in the incidence of infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria. The uncontrolled use of antibiotics in agriculture, along with their overexploitation in medicine has led to the emergence of multi-resistant bacterial strains. Furthermore, the development of novel antibiotics has slowed down in the past decades, further narrowing the available antimicrobial armada. It is noteworthy however, that our natural environment still harbors numerous unexploited antimicrobial agents, produced by yet uncultured microorganisms. These compounds are assumed not only to function as weapons against other bacteria, but also as channels of communication within a bacterial community. This current research has set a double goal: screening for genes involved in the production novel antibiotics, as well as investigating the role of antimicrobial compounds in the interactions seen within bacterial communities. Functional metagenomics, i.e. the screening of environmental DNA for functions of interest is a promising solution to identify new antimicrobials without the need for culturing the producer organisms. The successful applicant will learn methods involving the sampling and analysis of microbial communities, including DNA isolation and preparation for next generation sequencing. State of the art molecular biology techniques concerning DNA amplification, plasmid cloning, library genesis and high-throughput phenotypic screening will also be applied. Collaboration with analytical and preparative chemistry laboratories is also planned. The prospective outcome of the project is an improved insight concerning the role of antimicrobial agents in the interstrain communication of microbial communities, as well as the potential identification and characterization of novel antibiotic compounds.
Required language skills: English B2 Further requirements: knowledge of basic molecular biology techniques
Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2018-09-26
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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