Antiseptic and disinfectant resistance in the hospital superbug Staphylococcus aureus

Project description

The golden age of antibiotics is over as multidrug-resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria are commonplace in the hospital environment and community settings. This can be attributed to multiple strategies that bacteria employ to circumvent antimicrobial action. One mechanism that we investigate is mediated by membrane-bound transport proteins, which pump compounds out of the cell before they reach their intracellular target. This NHMRC-funded project will focus on pump proteins in the superbug Staphylococcus aureus “golden staph” looking at their function, structure and the ability of a range of chemical compounds to inhibit their action.

• Honours Scholarship of $1500 is available upon discussion.

Assumed knowledge

Theoretical knowledge of molecular biology and microbiology will be required. Hands-on lab-based training will be provided but experience and skills in aseptic techniques will be assumed.

Note: You need to register interest in projects from different supervisors (not a number of projects with the one supervisor).
You must also contact each supervisor directly to discuss both the project details and your suitability to undertake the project.