Antimicrobial resistant bacteria: from hospital hand-wash basins to the human gut

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses an increasing threat to global health, with the emergence and spread of resistance to antibiotics outpacing the development of new treatments. Without action, it has been predicted that 10 million lives will be at risk from AMR by 2050.

The overuse or misuse of antibiotics can drive AMR and healthcare settings are widely recognised as a ‘hotspot’ of AMR, although how they contribute to the selection and transmission of organisms is complex. Healthcare-associated infections cost NHS England at least £1.6 billion per annum and affect 7% of all patients admitted to acute care hospitals.

Hand hygiene is central to campaigns to reduce healthcare-associated infections and encouraging healthcare staff to decontaminate their hands regularly and effectively is a key focus of infection prevention control in hospitals. Increasing the number of hand-wash basins on a ward can increase hand hygiene compliance. However, water sources and water-based devices (e.g. sinks, faucets, showers, drains) are often contaminated with a range of infectious organisms. It is estimated that over a fifth of all healthcare-associated infections can be attributed to water. Notably, water-based devices support not only the growth of organisms found in the source water, but also a wide range of other species originating from humans likely due to end-point contamination. Thus, normal use of water-based devices can result in contamination and pose a risk to other patients and staff.

This project aims to determine the routes, extent and risk posed by transmission associated with the routine use of water-based devices, specifically hand-wash basins, within a healthcare setting. The successful applicant will be trained in relevant methods and procedures, including bacteriology, the use of culture-based models of the human gut, and in healthcare communication. 

Candidate profile

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our Biosciences and Medicine PhD programme

Applicants should hold (or be about to obtain) a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area including medical sciences, biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering, molecular biology, bacteriology or related disciplines.

Self-motivation, deep interest in research, ability to think and work independently, fluency in English language and good oral and written communication skills are essential.

An MSc in Microbiology/Infection Control with merit or distinction, and/or previous research experience in bacteriology or molecular biology would be advantageous.