About the project
This PhD will develop engineered bacteriophage therapies for complex musculoskeletal conflict wounds, addressing antimicrobial resistance alongside impaired vascular regeneration on the battlefield. Developing advanced MSK injury models, the project will test whether dual-function phages can reduce bacterial burden while promoting tissue repair, with consideration of sex-specific responses to injury and treatment success.
Complex musculoskeletal (MSK) trauma is a major challenge in modern conflict, where blast and ballistic injuries can cause open fractures, extensive tissue damage, vascular disruption and contaminated wounds. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) further complicates treatment, creating a critical need for antibiotic-independent approaches that can control infection while supporting tissue repair.
This PhD will investigate sex-specific phage therapies for conflict wound healing, developing engineered bacteriophages designed to reduce bacterial burden while promoting vascularised MSK tissue regeneration. The research will address whether antimicrobial treatment and tissue repair can be targeted simultaneously on the battlefield, and whether responses vary according to biological sex.
You will develop and apply advanced MSK trauma models to investigate, in real time, the interactions between bacterial infection, vascularisation and tissue repair. Methods will include:
- developing in vitro 3D cell and tissue human models of MSK trauma
- phage engineering and characterisation
- microbiological assays
- advanced imaging
- quantitative analysis of vascularisation
- a range of molecular approaches to understand mechanisms of infection and tissue regeneration.
The project has strong defence relevance and links to UK priorities in conflict wounds, AMR, military medicine and female health. You will join an interdisciplinary research team spanning MSK regeneration, phage engineering, microbiology and vascular biology, with engagement with MOD and Dstl expertise, including military female health.
Training opportunities will include advanced biological models, imaging, quantitative analysis and translational research, preparing you for a range of interdisciplinary careers across academia, defence and industry.
