train-asap ― training and research aimed at novel antibacterial solutions in animals and people

TRAIN-ASAP ― Training and Research AImed at
Novel Antibacterial Solutions in Animals and
People
OPEN POSITIONS
Initial Call
RP1: New cyclic antimicrobial peptides from combinatorial libraries
The aim of the project is to identify novel cyclic antimicrobial peptides from
combinatorial libraries for treatment of multi-drug resistant bacterial infections
in humans.
The candidate should have a second-level degree in Chemistry or closely related area. Previous organic chemistry and microbiology laboratory Further information on the requirements, application deadlines and application procedures will be posted on Application deadline: 15 June 2012 RP2. Development of antimicrobial peptide-peptoid hybrids for
veterinary use
The aim of the project is to design new peptide-peptoid hybrids for veterinary
topical applications in livestock and companion animals.
The candidate should have a second-level degree in Chemistry or closely related area. Previous organic chemistry and microbiology laboratory Further information on the requirements, application deadlines and application procedures will be posted on Application deadline: 15 June 2012 RP3. Novel sources of antimicrobial diversity for new antibiotics
The project involves identifying novel bacterial strains from their environment,
screening for antibiotic activity and characterization of the bioactive
compounds.
The candidate should have a second-level degree in chemical or biological sciences. Previous lab experience with actinomycetes and/or natural Please send a CV, a list of university classes attended, a motivation letter and two letters of reference to [email protected] Application deadline: 30 June 2012. RP4. Expression systems for biosynthetic capacity of uncultured
bacteria
The aim is to exploit metagenomic libraries derived from cloning DNA
fragments extracted from interesting ecosystems. We will use heterologous expression hosts and PCR primers to find interesting new natural product Requirements: Master’s degree or good Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences Application deadline: 31 May 2012. Applications are strictly via FindAPhD project site: RP5. Antivirulence therapy targeting S. aureus
Antibiotic resistance in serious pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus is an
increasing threat to human health. These challenges have lead to new
therapeutic approaches including anti-virulence therapy that aims to reduce
the production or toxicity of virulence factors while allowing the host to eliminate the infection. In this project we will search for anti-virulence compounds targeting S. aureus and demonstrate the potential of this approach either alone or in combination with antibiotics using various cell based models and simple animal models. Also the identified compounds will be used as tools to dissect the complex control of virulence expression. Further information on the requirements, application deadlines and application procedures will be posted on RP6. Optimization of dosage and clinical efficacy of new macrolides
New data indicates that macrolides belonging to the azalide class may have
concentration-dependent killing activity in contrast to older macrolides, which
are regarded as time-dependent antibiotics. Azalide products are currently
administered in anticipation of time-dependent activity and may be used
inefficiently. This project will examine the kill rate of respiratory pathogens after exposure to selected azalide in an in vitro model, study the distribution of drugs in respiratory tract secretions and inflammatory cells using a porcine infection model and perform a confirmative dose study in naturally infected Requirements: DVM with interest in clinical microbiology and pharmacology. Further information on the requirements and application procedure will be posted onApplication deadline: 29 June 2012 RP7. Development of novel potentiated sulphonamides with enhanced
antimicrobial activity
Sulphonamide/trimethoprim (SXT) combinations have been widely used for
the treatment of Gram-negative infections in both humans and animals but
resistance has widely developed over the years. In this project, novel sulphonamide compounds against common SXT-resistant pathogens, alone and in combination with trimethoprim analogues. Moreover, the candidate will also be involved in the evaluation of novel SXT combinations in mouse in vivo models and target animal infection models. Information about applicant requirements and application deadlines will be posted at a later time RP8. Blocking 16S RNA methyltransferases
Recently, a new family of plasmid-mediated aminoglycoside resistance determinants, the 16S rRNA methyltransferases, has emerged in Gram- negative bacteria. In this project, “helper drugs” blocking binding of the 16S rRNA methyltransferase to the ribosome and/or inhibiting methyltransferase activity will be designed to enable development of new aminoglycoside formulations active against this emerging resistance mechanism. Information about applicant requirements and application deadlines will be RP9. Bacteriocins against S. suis in pigs
The aim is to develop a novel approach to prevent carriage of S. suis, a major porcine pathogen of high zoonotic potential. A high- throughput screening effort will be used to isolate bacteriocin-producing commensals from the porcine nasopharyngeal cavity that inhibit S. suis. The commensals will be tested in pigs to determine whether they can confer protection against infection in piglets or prevent carriage in adult pigs. Additionally, transposon mutant libraries of S. suis will be screened to identify virulence determinants required for colonization of pigs. These will be investigated as potential targets for novel vaccines or anti-infectives. The candidate should have Batchelors degree/Masters in the life sciences preferably with laboratory experience in microbiology and molecular biology. Please send a CV, a list of University Courses and a motivation letter to Application deadline: 11th June 2012. RP10. Phage against avian pathogenic E. coli in poultry
As a PhD student you will perform research on Phage therapy in poultry. The focus will be on Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causing systemic infections. You will isolate new phages and characterize them as well as perform their therapeutic efficacy and transmission studies. Requirements: A master diploma in biological sciences or a DVM. Interest in microbiology and working with animals Applications, together with a motivation letter and CV, which includes studies and grades should be sent to: Further information can be found on the website of CODA RP11. Phages against S. pseudintermedius in dogs
The aim is to isolate a wide range of bacteriophages for phage therapy with phage cocktails. We have demonstrated that lysogenic bacteriophages can be modified to be effective agents for phage therapy. Requirements: Masters degree or a good Bachelors degree in Life Sciences. Application deadline: 31 May 2012. Applications are strictly via FindAPhD project site: RP12. A novel strategy to reduce selection of resistance
Take an active part in the stimulating development of a unique product aiming to reduce the emergence of resistant bacteria in animals during antibiotic treatments. Within Da Volterra, a Paris-based biotech company, you will collaborate with the teams of one of the leading European group in bacterial resistance at the Veterinary School of Toulouse. You will work on the product formulation, in vivo pharmacological studies, in vitro and in vivo microbiological assays and consequent analysis of the outcomes towards market access. The project includes stays in Toulouse and Copenhagen for in-animal studies and metagenomics developments on the animal commensal flora. A great training opportunity in an industrial environment, in one of the most pleasant cities in the world. The candidate will have preferentially a veterinary or pharmacological background with experience in bacteriology, and looking to gain a strong expertise in veterinary drug research and development. Send your resume and a motivation letter to [email protected] with the reference DVTA-2012.03.128 Application deadline: 15 June 2012 Applicants for the PhD positions must not yet been awarded a PhD degree and must be in the first 4
years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers prior to the recruitment.
All applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country
of the organization they are applying to for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the
recruitment.
Positions include interdisciplinary training, summer schools and yearly international meetings.
Please apply to the organization of interest by providing the appropriate information and by the
individual project application deadline.

Source: http://www.train-asap.eu/fileadmin/train-asap/Documents/TRAIN-ASAP_job%20ads_May2012.pdf