Exploring the PK-PD of Phage therapy being developed for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis lung infections

Description

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat which impacts the utility of existing antibiotics. New treatment options are urgently required and the development of bacteriophage¹ (phage) therapy is a potentially well tolerated new modality with the opportunity of therapeutic benefit and low resistance development. Whilst there has been some use of therapeutic phage the optimal dosing driven by understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) is not well understood²

Cystic fibrosis is a common genetically inherited disease with a common complication of treatment resistant respiratory infections.  These lung infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Infected lungs in pwCF is a difficult to treat environment for typical small molecule antibiotics with the development of biofilms in a mucin and DNA-rich environment. Phage therapy has the potential to be a possible treatment option³.

The TRAILFINDER innovation hub is focused on translational innovation and is funded by the CF Trust and LifeArc as 1 of 4 hubs in the UK. The TRAILFINDER hub will address key challenges relevant to pwCF including access to the novel treatment, phage therapy.

One of the hubs key activities will be to design optimised phage cocktails.  A critical component of developing a phage therapy is to develop a strong understanding of PK-PD which will drive dosage selection. This project will focus on developing in vivo and possibly in vitro models to explore the PK-PD of phage therapies and create a framework for dose selection.

This PhD student will join a vibrant lab at the University of Liverpool and be part of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.  There will also be many opportunities to collaborate across University of Liverpool institutes and externally within the wider Hub including researchers at the University of Manchester and UKHSA. Shortlisted applicants will get the opportunity to visit the laboratories and meet the wider group.

Applications should be made to Prof Shampa Das (shampa.das@liverpool.ac.uk) and include a CV and cover letter with the subject heading “Phage PK-PD PhD Application”. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant Life Sciences discipline and outline any experience that makes them the ideal candidate for the position. The applications deadline is 13/12/24.