Establish the determinants for bacteriophage cocktail stabilization

phages, but designing, formulating and clinically validating a stable, safe and adaptable biological medicine .

To minimise titre loss following cocktail preparation, it is essential to evaluate the stability of each component phage, investigate potential interactions between phages, optimise formulations through the inclusion of stabilising excipients, and establish appropriate storage and handling conditions. These efforts should be supported by rigorous stability testing, including: (i) accelerated stability studies under stress conditions, such as elevated temperatures, pH extremes, and light exposure, to predict shelf life; (ii) real-time stability studies conducted under intended storage conditions over extended periods ≥6 months for phage cocktails, although optimal durations require further validation; and (iii) assessment of quality attributes beyond phage titre, including maintenance of phage ratios, biological activity against target bacterial strains, endotoxin levels, and overall product consistency.

This project will characterise individual in-house phages, evaluate whether a combination of phages in the formulation is appropriate, and identify phage combinations that maximise efficacy while maintaining stability.

Key objectives:

• Phage isolation and characterisation: isolate, select and propagate sewage-derived phages; identify bacterial hosts; and characterise genomic features.
• Physicochemical properties and stability: assess phage size, morphology, surface charge and solution stability using techniques such as dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy.
• Formulation: formulate single phages and cocktails, assessing buffer composition, osmolytes, temperature, pH and storage conditions, and investigating phage-phage interactions.
• Antibacterial efficacy: compare individual phages and cocktails against target bacteria, monitoring titre and identifying additive or synergistic effects.

Eligibility

Applicants are expected to hold, or about to obtain, a minimum upper second-class undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in microbiology, (bio)chemical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences or related subject. A Master’s degree in a relevant subject and/or experience is desirable. They are also expected to have a strong will to learn different scientific aspects.

Before you Apply

Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.

How to Apply

To be considered for this project you MUST submit a formal online application form – on the application form select PhD Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Programme. Full details on how to apply can be found on the Website: How to apply for postgraduate research at The University of Manchester

If you have any queries regarding making an application please contact our admissions team FBMH.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website: Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI | Postgraduate Research | Biology, Medicine and Health | University of Manchester

Funding Notes

Applications are invited from self-funded students. This project has a Band 2 (med) fee. Details of our different fee bands can be found on our website View Website

References

Review on bacteriophage cocktails: T Kaneko et al., FEMS Microbiology Rev., 2026, 50, fuaf061
Research papers by the supervisors
Dad et al., J Appl. Microbiology DOI 10.1093/jambio/lxaf087
Buzza et al. (2023) Microbiology Spectrum DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02527-22
Roche et al. (2023) Molecular Pharmaceutics DOI 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00013