Job Description

𝐌𝐒𝐂𝐀-𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐃 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑦𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑠 𝑎𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑢𝑠 is a major cause of wound infections, with its multiple antibiotic resistances linked to staphylococcal superantigen-like (SSL) proteins. Recent findings revealed that SSL1 and SSL5 inhibit a broad range of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), with SSL1 exhibiting additional protease activity upon dimerisation. These unexpected functions significantly disrupt immune activation and extracellular matrix remodelling.
The aim of this PhD project is to elucidate the structural and mechanistic basis of the dual inhibitory and proteolytic activities of SSLs by employing cutting-edge experimental and computational approaches. The ultimate goal is to develop novel therapeutic strategies by antagonising SSL functions.
If you are passionate about advancing the diagnosis and treatment of wound infections, please visit https://remod-healing.eu, 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 #𝟓 (https://lnkd.in/dWWi3SbY), and submit your complete application to Hans.Brandstetter@plus.ac.at by 𝟑𝟎 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓