EastBio: Mechanisms regulating expression of the multidrug transporter gene CDR1 in the pathogenic fungus Candidozyma auris

Details

This fully funded, 4-year PhD project is part of a competition funded by the BBSRC EASTBIO Doctoral Training Partnership.

Candida auris, recently renamed Candidozyma auris, is an emerging human fungal pathogen with a remarkable capacity to develop resistance to multiple antifungal drugs, including azoles. Reflecting its substantial clinical importance, the World Health Organization has classified C. auris as a critical-priority fungal pathogen.

Azole resistance in clinical isolates of C. auris is strongly associated with increased transcription of CDR1, which encodes a multidrug transporter that exports azole antifungals from the fungal cell. Consequently, elevated CDR1 expression directly contributes to azole resistance and represents a major obstacle to the effective treatment of C. auris infections.

Increased CDR1 expression is frequently associated with mutations in the gene encoding the transcription factor Tac1b. Despite the strong genetic association between gain-of-function mutations in TAC1b and azole resistance, the molecular mechanisms through which these mutations activate Tac1b remain unclear. Furthermore, azoles and other chemical compounds have been thought to activate Tac1b, but the mechanisms underlying this drug-induced activation are unknown.

The first aim of this project is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulating Tac1b activation. The student will investigate how gain-of-function mutations affect Tac1b activity and determine how exposure to drugs triggers Tac1b-dependent transcription. This work will combine biochemical, genetic and computational approaches, including protein-domain interaction studies, CRISPR-based mutagenesis and protein-structure prediction.

Using an innovative promoter-protein capture approach coupled with mass spectrometry, the Kubota laboratory has also identified several previously uncharacterised candidate transcription factors that may regulate CDR1 expression. The second aim of the project is to define the roles of these transcription factors in controlling CDR1 transcription and antifungal resistance. The student will employ a comprehensive range of molecular and genetic techniques, including CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, RT-qPCR, RNA sequencing, ChEC-seq and antifungal drug-susceptibility assays.

By the end of the project, the student will have established a detailed mechanistic framework for the regulation of CDR1 expression in C. auris. These findings will advance understanding of how this clinically important pathogen acquires azole resistance and may identify regulatory pathways that could be targeted to restore antifungal susceptibility. The project will also provide broad interdisciplinary training in fungal molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, genomics, computational structural biology and antimicrobial resistance research.

This project is available for part-time study (Home/UK students only).

Interested applicants should contact the lead supervisor to discuss the project prior to applying. You can do this by selecting the first listed name at the top of this advert and sending your enquiry. Alternatively, you can search for the supervisor through the University of Aberdeen staff directory and email them directly.

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ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject. Those with a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered, provided they have (or are expected to achieve) a Distinction or Commendation at master’s level.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team.

All students must meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the UKRI guidance on funding for postgraduate training and development. This guidance should be read in conjunction with the Terms and conditions for training funding – UKRI.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE

For full details and to download the application form, visit: https://biology.ed.ac.uk/eastbio/how-to-apply

Please note that you may only apply for one EASTBIO project.

1. Application submission

Submit your complete application by 23:59 GMT on 16th November 2026 to smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk.

Send your application as a single email with the subject line: “EASTBIO Application – [Your Name]”

2. Required documents

Your application email must include the following:

• Completed EASTBIO application form
• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Two references (one reference may be non-academic)

3. References

All references must be provided using the official EASTBIO reference form (available here).

References can be either:

• Included with your application, or
• Sent directly by referees to smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk with the subject line: “EASTBIO Reference – [Your Name]”

All references must be received by 23:59 GMT on 16th November 2026.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure both references are submitted by the deadline, as we cannot request them on your behalf.

Important notes

• No research proposal is required.
• Do not include any additional documents (for example, school certificates, conference papers, or dissertations).
• Incomplete applications or those including unnecessary materials will not be considered.
• Due to workload constraints, we are unable to follow up on missing documents or process incomplete applications.
• All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application.

For any questions or assistance with the application process, please contact smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk.

Funding Notes

This fully funded, four-year PhD project is offered as part of a competition within the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. The opportunity is open to both UK and international applicants, although the proportion of international students recruited through the EASTBIO DTP is capped at 30% by UKRI BBSRC.

EASTBIO studentships provide a tax-free UKRI doctoral stipend (estimated at £22,437 for the 2027/28 academic year), a training grant of £5,000 per year for the first three years (and £1,500 in the fourth year), and a travel and conference allowance of £230 per year.

Please note that EASTBIO is unable to fund visa costs or associated healthcare surcharges for international students.