Funded PhD: A study of Candida albicans as a driver of oral inflammation and delayed wound healing: development of functional antifungal hydrogels for oral wound healing

Project in brief

Candida albicans is the most common coloniser of the human oral cavity. Host immunity keeps it in check as a harmless commensal but the loss of a fully competent immune system (e.g. when cancer patients receive radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or under environmental stressors such as smoking/vaping, excessive alcohol and sugar consumption) increases the likelihood of candidiasis (thrush) and mucosal ulcerations. Damage to the oral barrier triggers wound healing inflammatory responses and fungal colonization, facilitate local as well as systemic infections and may promote oral cancer progression.

There is still limited understanding of the role that C.albicans plays on oral wound healing or the etiological association between fungal infection and cancer.

This study proposes to assess would healing rate and inflammatory responses in oral cell lines stimulated with C.albicans (in vitro) as well as in saliva collected from volunteers tested for carriage of C.albicans in the oral mucosa (ex vivo). The expression of human mucosa biomarkers associated with C.albicans-driven inflammation will be explored to drive the development of antifungal functional hydrogels.

Key Facts

Location Moulsecoomb campus, Brighton

Research centre Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Devices

Project themes C.albicans, inflammation, wound healing, functional hydrogels, antifungal molecules

Deadline Thursday 29 February 2024 at 16.00 GMT

Interviews March 2024

Find out how to apply

University of Brighton supervisors

Dr Nadia Terrazzini

I am leading research on Candida albicans immunomodulation of skin and mucosa responses and how this may affect the progression of inflammatory skin diseases and the healing of chronic wounds.

Dr Irina Savina

Projects on developing polymer materials, hydrogel, nanocomposites for biomedical and environmental applications. Particular interest in biomaterials, drug delivery systems, nanoparticles as catalyst and antibacterial agents, materials/methods for water decontamination.

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree and desirably hold or expect to achieve excellent grades in a Master’s degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or comparable qualifications from another recognised university.

Applicants are also required to submit a CV and a 1250 word (max) statement outlining (a) a proposed project approach and (b) a personal experience and expertise summary (see our Guide to making your application below).

Residential eligibility

Applications from both Home and non-UK resident students can be accepted. Please note, non-UK residents can only undertake full-time study.

If successful, students must live in the UK and within reasonable access to the University.

English language entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must have successfully completed a Secure English language Test (SELT) in the last two years. Applicants who are currently studying for a UK degree or who have obtained a UK degree in the last three years may apply without a SELT. However, the university may request a SELT is taken as part of any award made.

English language IELTS requirements are minimum of 6.5 in each component.

If you have an English language qualification other than IELTS, please contact us to see if you are eligible to apply for a studentship

See UK Government guidance for full details.

Funding

Each studentship provides a tax-free stipend for living expenses at UKRI rates (£18,622 per year for full-time study in 2023-24) and covers tuition fees for the duration of the studentship (three years for full-time PhD study or six years for part-time (Home students only) study).

Contact us

For any questions or further information about the project, please contact the lead supervisor Dr Nadia Terrazzini (see profile for contact details).

If you have any questions about the funding or application process, please contact DoctoralCollege@brighton.ac.uk.

Guide to making your application

What to include in your application

Please complete all relevant fields on the application form and include the following:

Documents to be uploaded:

copies of your bachelors and master certificates, including transcripts (upload in Education section)
copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable) (upload in English Language section)
copy of your passport (upload in any section)

two written documents as follows:

We require two written documents: a two-part narrative text (1) and your CV (2). To complete this requirement, please adhere to the guidance on this page rather than the generic guidance on the application form. Please upload the following as two attachments rather than entering text in the box on the application form.

Your proposed project approach (a) and personal statement (b): in the Personal Statement section of the form, please upload a narrative (total 1250 words max) that has two components:
- (a) a description of how you intend to approach the project and key questions that will need to be addressed (500 words max);
- (b) a summary of your experience, personal attributes, current knowledge and research skills (750 words max)
Your CV: in the Research Proposal section of the form, please upload a two-page CV. Please also ensure you have completed the two fields requesting supervisor name and project title. You do not need to include a full research proposal; we require a project approach within the Personal Statement section as outlined above.

Two references:

One reference must be an academic reference from your most recent period of study; both references must have been dated within the last year. You can submit your references either by providing contact details of your referees or by uploading a scan of a formal signed reference.

How to start your online application

To start your application please follow these steps:

1. Click the 'apply online now' button, on the right.
2. Select 'register and start a new application', to create your user account.
3. Once you are logged in, select 'apply to a new course'.
4. Select the type of course 'research degree'.
5. Select mode of study 'full-time' (Home students shortlisted for interview will have the option of changing their preferred mode of study to 'part-time')
6. Select 'Doctoral College'
7. Select ‘Applied Sciences studentship’
8. Click 'apply'.

You will now be able to complete the online application form.

Apply Online Now