Harnessing Machine Learning for Predicting the Toxicity of Novel Antimicrobial Drugs
Many antimicrobial compounds effectively kill bacteria and fungi, but assessing their toxicity to humans is essential. Traditionally, this requires labour-intensive and ethically contentious tests on human cells and animals. This project will use machine learning to predict toxicity of drugs, reducing cost, time and animal use while accelerating drug development.
Research Opportunities
Summary
This project aims to create a machine learning model that can correctly predict the toxicity of novel antimicrobial compounds.
There are existing several data sets that can be utilised as the starting point to train such a model for such a purpose, including data from PubChem, ChEMBL and ToxCast. These provide the molecular structure of the compounds. A machine learning model trained on this data can then predict the toxicity of compounds it hasn’t seen before, utilising the fact that compounds with similar structures often have similar toxicity.
Various existing machine learning approaches to predicting the toxicity of compounds exist. This project will focus on developing new methods that are more effective at this task. In particular, one current limitation of the most recent deep learning approaches to predicting toxicity is that they require very large amounts of data to learn from accurately. One line of research during the project will be to tackle this bottleneck by adapting techniques which can reduce the amount of data needed, such as synthetic data generation, data augmentation, transfer learning, few-shot learning, or active learning.
There is some flexibility in the project, and a candidate from either a biosciences or computing background would be considered. The ideal student would have experience and interest in either machine learning or bioinformatics, or a related field such as data science. Strong computer programming skills would be very advantageous, as the project will involve the creation of novel methods, not just using existing tools. Knowledge relating to antimicrobial compounds or toxicity may be useful but is not required. The project is unlikely to involve significant lab work, and will mainly be computer based.
The supervisory team have the necessary skills and experience to oversee, guide and train the student in all aspects of the project.
Dr Bartlett works in the field of artificial intelligence and will oversee the machine learning aspects of the project. His role will be to provide advice on machine learning techniques to investigate and the adaptation of these to the problem domain.
Dr Welgamage is an experienced researcher in the field of microbiology. He will provide guidance on the antimicrobial problem domain – advising on the choice of data to use, designing lab-based assays to test predictions if necessary, and providing insight into real-world drug development needs.
Supervisors
Discuss this further with a potential supervisor for this research degree:
Research Themes
Find other Research Degrees in the same theme:
About our Research Degrees
We welcome specific ideas from applicants for a potential research degree topic. The University offers a number of potential self-funded topics in each School which you could consider developing your research project around.
It is not unusual for a proposed research degree topic to evolve as you progress through the application stage and even your future studies. This ensures the best match of your academic/professional experience with that of your supervisory team.
Occasionally, the University will also advertise available funded studentships, for very specific topics or subjects:
If you need any further support prior to applying, please email researchdegrees@rgu.ac.uk
Entry requirements
Entry Requirements for Research Degrees
Normal entry requirements are a first or upper second class honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom, or from an overseas University, or degree equivalent qualification, subject to the approval of Robert Gordon University.
Applicants holding other qualifications shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the proposed research programme.
Applicants will normally register for an MSc/PhD or MRes/PhD with transfer to PhD dependent on satisfactory progress. However, applicants who already possess a Master’s degree which includes a significant research component could be registered directly for a PhD, subject to a satisfactory research proposal, and clear evidence of research expertise.
Some Research Degree Topics require employment experience, research experience and/or transcripts for international qualifications.
Contact researchdegrees@rgu.ac.uk to see if you are eligible.
English Language
Any applicant whose first language or language of previous University-level instruction is not English must normally demonstrate competence in English. This should be a score of IELTS 6.5 with 6.5 in all elements, or an approved equivalent.
We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:
Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact researchdegrees@rgu.ac.uk for further information.
Fees & Costs
For Academic Year 2024/2025
UK/EU Students
- Full time - £4,786 per academic year
- Part time MPhil/PhD - £2,870 per academic year
- Part time MRes/MSc by research - £2,390 per academic year
International Students
- Full time - £19,450 per academic year
- Part-time MPhil/PhD - £11,670 per academic year
- Part-time MRes/MSc by research - £9,720 per academic year
For Academic Year 2023/2024
UK/EU Students
- Full time - £4,712 per academic year
- Part time MPhil/PhD - £2,830 per academic year
- Part time MRes/MSc by research - £2,356 per academic year
International Students
- Full time - £18,700 per academic year
- Part-time MPhil/PhD - £11,220 per academic year
- Part-time MRes/MSc by research - £9,350 per academic year
Additional Costs
The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:
- The cost of books that you may wish to purchase
- Accommodation and living costs
- Printing
Alumni Discount
Robert Gordon University is delighted to offer a 20% discount on course fees for all alumni who have graduated from RGU.
Scholarships and Financial Awards
Postgraduate research students will normally make their own arrangements for payment of fees. However you may qualify for a scholarship or financial award:
Funded Studentships
Occasionally, the University will also advertise available funded studentships, for very specific topics or subjects:
Disclaimer
For new intakes course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information see:
How to Apply
Applications
All applications should be made via the University's online application for research students.
Before you apply, find out more about the application process, research proposal writing guides, routes and durations:
Our Research degrees usually start in February and October each year. There are no formal deadlines for you to submit your application, though we recommend you submit it as early as possible in order to ensure we can help you join us at your preferred time.
Completed application forms should be accompanied by:
- Degree certificate
- Statement of purpose, detailing why you would like to study this degree in the UK, and why you have chosen RGU.
- A short research proposal, in the range of 1,500 - 3,000 words, containing a rationale and background, study aims and objectives, a literature review, proposed research methods and a full reference list.
Further guidance on the application process:
English Language Requirements
All applicants whose first language is not from a recognised English speaking country will be asked to provide evidence of their English language skills as part of their offer to study at RGU.
Find out more about the English language qualification we accept:
Ready to start this Research Degree?
Find out about our entry requirements, application dates and how to apply.
Any questions?
Get in touch with our team and we'll do our best to help.
Cookie Consent
We use cookies on this website to improve your browsing experience. Some of the cookies are used for analysis and marketing purposes. For more details see our privacy and cookie statement.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential in order to enable you to move around the website and use its features. You can only disable these cookies through your browser settings.
Performance & Marketing Cookies
We use cookies to collect information about how visitors use the website and to improve the user experience. We sometimes use cookies to assist with the personalisation of marketing for courses and services, they may be used by our media partners to provide targeted media on other websites.