Version 2
Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
PhD Project Template



Use one form per project
Please complete & submit to international@nuigalway.ie as soon as possible, and by 27/11/2012
In your email, begin the subject line with [SWB] (be sure to use square brackets) to ensure that
your email is filed correctly. Emails will be automatically filed
PI name & contact details:
School:
Florence Abram
Functional Environmental Microbiology
Microbiology
NUI, Galway
Florence.abram@nuigalway.ie
0035391492390
School of Natural Sciences
Has project been agreed with head
(or nominee) of proposed
registration school?
No
Research Centre / group
affiliation:
Ryan Institute
Research group / centre
website:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/microbiology/Dr_Florence_Abram.html
PI website / link to CV:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/microbiology/Dr_Florence_Abram.html
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
If you are already involved in relevant scholarly activities relating to Brazil, please mention them here.
I am the director of the Functional Environmental Microbiology laboratory, which focused
primarily on microbial adaptation to ecological niches. My expertise lies in the areas of
molecular biology, metaproteomics and microbial physiology. I have led the isolation
and characterisation of an extensive collection of soil persistent E. coli.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Ecophysiology of soil persistent Escherichia coli
E. coli is the most important faecal indicator for the protection of human health from waterborne
pathogens worldwide. The faecal specificity of E. coli, crucial for its validity as an indicator, has been
questioned in recent years, however, with widespread reports of long-term persistence and growth
of E. coli in soils within a number of climatic zones. These autochthonous E. coli populations can act
as a reservoir for the further contamination of water bodies. As a consequence, faecal pollution in
natural ecosystems has the potential to be inaccurately diagnosed. This in turn may lead to
unnecessary public health concerns and economic losses. Considering the importance of the role of
E. coli in the protection of human health this problem needs to be urgently addressed. This project
Version 2
Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
will investigate the diversity, ecophysiology and virulence characteristics of long-term soil persistent
E. coli strains using a combination of molecular characterisation of soil isolates, in situ soil survival
studies and virulence assays. In parallel metaproteomics will be employed to investigate what
functions E. coli populations might fulfil within the soil environment to justify their persistence
among the highly competitive indigenous microflora.
Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway:
NUI Galway projects should emphasise features that are not typically available in Brazil – specific equipment,
multi-disciplinarity, aspects of structured programme, links with industry, placements, links with other research
groups etc.
This project falls under one of the selected NUIG priority areas of research. It will build on the
current research program within the Ryan Institute in Galway on environment and health, which
undertakes research within areas such as water quality and human health, environmental
pathogens and microbial source tracking. The training of a PhD student to the highest standard falls
within the goal of NUIG of building up a sustainable system of world class research teams and
increasing PhD output. This project will train a PhD student in important biological research areas.
On completion of the project the student will have a highly valued and wide ranging skill set in
cutting edge microbiological and molecular techniques (including PCR, qPCR and metaproteomics),
which will be available to potential employers in high-tech sectors. During the project the student
will be given the opportunity to develop their project management, writing and organization skills.
Additional specialist training will be available through NUI, Galway if required. The student will be
encouraged to present their research at both national and international meetings and to publish
their findings in high ranking international journals. NUI, Galway provide an ideal location for the
undertaking of the proposed research, with all the facilities required in-house and easy access to a
wide range of expertise in microbial ecology, metaproteomics, soil, water and molecular techniques.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Microbiology
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)/Physical Sciences (Mathematics,
√
Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences)
Health and Biomedical Sciences / Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Computing
Version 2
Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Sustainable Agricultural Production
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals, Minerals Technology
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters
Bioprospecting and Biodiversity
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders
arrangements):
Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): _ _Y___
Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): ___Y__
Suitable for either/Don’t know: __Suitable for either___