The division of Biodeterioration and Reference Organisms (4.1) at the Federal Institute for Material Research and Testing is searching for students conducting a master thesis or an internship in the filed of antimicrobial resistance (at least 2 month).
Description
Biocides are used to protect materials against bacteria or to disinfect them. However, microorganisms can develop resistance or tolerance against bacteria. This can result in the loss of efficacy of biocides and in the development of cross-resistance against antibiotics that are used as anti-infective pharmaceuticals. Within this project, we want to investigate the development of resistance and tolerance (incl. persistence) against biocides in bacteria. The following topics are of interest:
- evolution of biocide resistance
- Effect of biocides on horizontal gene transfer in bacteria
- Molecular mechanisms for the formation of persister cells with increased tolerance against biocides
- Induction and evolution of persister cells against biocides
- Interactions between biocides and antibiotics (synergy and antagonism)
- selection of antibiotic resistant bacteria on antimicrobial surfaces during the formation of biofilms
- microscopy of biocide-resistant bacteria
- modelling of microbial population dynamics during biocide exposure
Qualifications
- Graduation as a Bachelor in the fields of biology, biotechnology, biochemistry or similar
- Commenced into master studies with the focus on microbiology, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, systems biology, bioinformatics or similar
- Experience in work with microorganisms, nucleic acids or microscopy are advantageous
- Proficiency in English
Contact
Dr. Frank Schreiber
4.1 Biodeterioration and Reference Organisms
Phone: +49 30 8104 1414
Email: frank.schreiber@bam.de