Airborn bacteriophages

Title:  Isolation and biological characterization of bacteriophages isolated from bioaerosols of different environs

Supervisor:  prof. dr hab. Idalia Kasprzyk, e-mail: ikasprzyk@ur.edu.pl

                      Department of Biology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland

Co-supervisor:  dr Leszek Potocki, e-mail: lpotocki@ur.edu.pl

Short description:

Airborne bacterial pathogens are one of the major causes of many diseases, including inhalant allergies. Despite their clinical importance, they still remain an overlooked component of air quality studies. Despite the increase in research on aerosols, including bioaerosols in recent years, there is still a lack of information on bacterial viruses carried with "bacterial hosts" in the air. It is indicated that biocontrol of clinically important bacteria using bacteriophages, including those isolated from air, may provide a biological alternative to chemicals currently used in antimicrobial formulations. The main object of the PhD project will be an isolation and biological characterization of bacteriophages isolated from bioaerosols. The spatiotemporal variability of qualitative and quantitative bacteriophage spectrum will be also studied.  

Requirements:

• Previous experience in all or some of the following: microbiological techniques including phage isolation methods, cell biology, microscopy, aerobiology and statistical analyses are advantageous.
• Applicants should be highly motivated, able to work both independently and in collaboration, inventive and communicative.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English is mandatory.
• Candidates should send their application by e-mail to prof. Idalia Kasprzyk ikasprzyk@ur.edu.pl or dr Leszek Potocki lpotocki@ur.edu.pl