Engineering bioactive peptides for vaginal microbiome restoration and sustained vaginal delivery
Supervisors:
Dr Lucia Lombardi, Queens University Belfast
Dr Linda B. Oyama, Queens University Belfast
Dr Karl Malcolm, Queens University Belfast
CASE INDUSTRY PARTNER: B.Y.M Technologies
Summary:
The vaginal microbiome plays an important role in urogenital health, but disruption of protective Lactobacillus-associated communities can lead to persistent dysbiosis and biofilm formation. Current antimicrobial approaches can reduce bacterial burden without necessarily restoring beneficial microbiome function.
This PhD will investigate whether engineered bioactive peptides can selectively shift disrupted vaginal microbiome models towards a more protective state. The student will establish defined in vitro microbiome models, screen and optimise peptide candidates, and determine how
peptide sequence and physicochemical properties influence microbial selectivity, biofilm behaviour and restoration of Lactobacillus-associated functions. The project will also evaluate selected Bdellovibrio-derived bioactives, alone and in combination with lead peptides, to explore complementary mechanisms for microbiome modulation. Promising strategies will be validated in vaginal epithelial models and assessed for compatibility with local vaginal delivery.
The student will receive interdisciplinary training in peptide design and synthesis, analytical characterisation, microbiology, biofilm science, vaginal microbiome models, epithelial systems and data analysis.
Through the CASE partnership with B.Y.M. Technologies/P.Happi, the
student will also complete an industry placement and gain experience in candidate prioritisation, formulation constraints, local delivery, commercial decision-making and intellectual property awareness.