Modelling growth and pattern formation in yeast biofilms - joint Nottingham - Adelaide PhD project

Project description

Biofilms are communities of microorganisms living in a protective layer of slime, known as EPS (extracellular polymeric substances). They can be both problematic (e.g. contamination of medical implants) and beneficial (e.g. waste water treatment). This project will use mathematical modelling to understand why biofilms expand at different rates when cultured on agar of different water content. Our hypothesis is that EPS production can assist biofilm expansion by pulling water into the biofilm from the agar by osmosis, and that this may also increase nutrient delivery to the biofilm. A background in applied mathematics, physics or engineering will be helpful.

This PhD project will be undertaken jointly between the University of Nottingham and the University of Adelaide, Australia, and will involve spending time at both Universities. Supervision will be joint between Dr Leah Band and Dr Reuben O'Dea at Nottingham and Dr Edward Green and Dr Ben Binder in Adelaide. Please contact us for further information about how to apply!