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Master thesis: Exploring the impact of hexagonal boron nitride (nanomedicines) on bacterial communication (quorum sensing) and its consequences on pathogenesis
Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN, a/k white graphene) is a novel exciting nanomaterial and has numerous potential applications in industry and medicine such as in drug and gene delivery, hydrogel composites, and anticancer therapy based on Boron-Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). Therefore, it is of great importance to understand the safety of hBN in humans. However, recent studies indicated that elemental boron can trigger the synthesis of chemical signaling molecules (autoinducers (AI-2)) in bacteria and affect bacterial communication (quorum sensing). Since hBN can release elemental boron, it is imperative to study the impact of hBN on bacterial quorum sensing and its consequences on bacterial invasion and pathogenesis in order to estimate therapy-associated propensity to acute and chronic infections. This is particularly relevant for the potential clinical use of hBN in vulnerable populations (e.g. cancer patients, on or off chemotherapy), which often have a compromised immune system and are particularly susceptible to infections.
Keywords: Quorum sensing, 2D materials, Boron neutron capture therapy, Nanomedicine
Are you interested in the field of nanomedicines targeting bacterial communication and pathogenesis in human lung? Would you like to exploit how bacteria communicate among themselves to develop pathogenesis in human organs (e.g. lung)? Do you want to establish a three-dimensional (3D) lung infection model?
We are looking for a MSc student to join the Particles-Biology Interactions Lab at Empa St. Gallen (Master thesis). The candidate will be part of an exciting and collaborative project between Empa and the Kantonsspital St. Gallen.
Are you interested in the field of nanomedicines targeting bacterial communication and pathogenesis in human lung? Would you like to exploit how bacteria communicate among themselves to develop pathogenesis in human organs (e.g. lung)? Do you want to establish a three-dimensional (3D) lung infection model?
We are looking for a MSc student to join the Particles-Biology Interactions Lab at Empa St. Gallen (Master thesis). The candidate will be part of an exciting and collaborative project between Empa and the Kantonsspital St. Gallen.
In this project, we aim to establish a human 3D lung infection model in collaboration with the Kantonsspital St. Gallen (KSSG) and then study effects of 2D-hBN on bacterial communication and pathogenesis. Specifically, the candidate will be involved in:
i) Characterization of hBN material properties and stability in biological media
ii) Investigation of host-cell invasion and pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the advanced lung in vitro models in the presence of hBN
iii) Investigation of hBN-Streptococcus pneumoniae mediated cell death mechanisms in lung cells
In this project, we aim to establish a human 3D lung infection model in collaboration with the Kantonsspital St. Gallen (KSSG) and then study effects of 2D-hBN on bacterial communication and pathogenesis. Specifically, the candidate will be involved in: i) Characterization of hBN material properties and stability in biological media ii) Investigation of host-cell invasion and pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the advanced lung in vitro models in the presence of hBN iii) Investigation of hBN-Streptococcus pneumoniae mediated cell death mechanisms in lung cells
Interested candidates may send a CV and short motivational statement including research interests as PDF or letter to Dr. Govind Gupta (govind.gupta@empa.ch); Tel +41 58 765 71 23
Interested candidates may send a CV and short motivational statement including research interests as PDF or letter to Dr. Govind Gupta (govind.gupta@empa.ch); Tel +41 58 765 71 23