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Viruses are parasites with living cells as their hosts. Without cells, viruses cannot perform their life cycle. Often, viruses cause the host's death upon release of the number of copies of virions. A cascade of progeny virions attacks neighbouring cells or transfers to another host organism. Some viruses attack animals and humans, causing various diseases (like HIV, HPV, Hepatitis A and B, influenza, rotavirus, Zika, and rubies, to name only a few), plants (Tabaco mosaic virus), or even bacteria (bacteriophages). The COVID-19 pandemic gave the realization that we do not have suitable antiviral measures to provide the necessary protection.

The proposed project within Opus-23 call focuses on fighting viruses attacking bacteria – named bacteriophages, or phages for short. Phages cause serious problems when they infect bacteria-based biotechnological factories. Within hours, a single bacteriophage can be multiplied in millions of copies utilizing the biochemical machinery of the host. In each bacterial cell, up to a few hundred copies are formed and released. This usually results in the death of bacteria. Phage infections have profound repercussions as bacteria-based processes are one of the most important in biotechnology and dominate many branches of industry, which exploit the natural metabolic capabilities of bacteria to produce active substances. All factors which affect bacteria-based factories cause millions of dollars in losses.

Here, we propose the strategy to obtain antiphagents (antibacteriophage agents) that will be safe for bacteria and eukaryotic cells. This will allow online protection against phage infections. We will synthesize, purify, and characterize “mixed” (bearing positively charged, negatively charged, neutral and hydrophobic domains) nanoparticles and polymers and test them against model phages (T1, T4, T7, M13, MS2, phi6, PhiX174, QBeta), bacteria, and eukaryotic cells. We will tune the composition of the “mixed” domains to ensure efficacy against virions and safety towards cells.

The knowledge gained upon realization of the project might also be utilized against pathogenic viruses attacking humans, helping to fight against numerous diseases. Among the many bacteriophages, some (MS2, phi6, PhiX174, QBeta) are considered good surrogates for studies on eukaryotic, often dangerous, viruses.

• Testing the biological activity of prepared materials against phages, bacteria, and eukaryotic cells.
• Maintaining regular research notes.
• Taking part in and presenting of project results at group meetings.

We offer a scholarship position in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS with a monthly stipend of 5 000 PLN financed from the OPUS 23, Project no. 2022/45/B/ST5/01500.

The stipend is for 2 months.

The successful candidate will benefit in the form of new knowledge and methods added to his/her toolbox. The project deals with nanotechnology, biotechnology, material sciences, and physical chemistry, so a broad range of candidates will find new knowledge to be gained upon the realization of the project.

1. At the starting date of the work within the project, the applicant should be a participant in a doctoral programme (within the meaning of the Act on Higher Education of 27 July 2005) or a doctoral candidate at a doctoral school (within the meaning of the Act on Higher Education and Science of 20 July 2018) (i.e., studying  chemistry, biology, nanotechnology, or a related field).

2. Ability to work independently as well as in a group
3. Background in physical chemistry and biology
4. Excellent in English speaking and writing.

The recruitment committee shall evaluate the candidates’ research achievements, their research-related achievements and competencies as regards specific tasks in the research project, expressed as a point score:

• the candidate’s research achievements, including publications in prestigious academic press /journals (50% of the final score)
• research-related achievements, scholarships, awards and research experience gained in Poland or abroad, research workshops and training courses, participation in research projects (20% of the final score)
• the candidate’s competence to carry out specific tasks in the research project (30% of the final score)