Beyond the Biofilm: Mitochondria as a New Therapeutic Target
As part of #BiofilmWeek, our Beyond the Biofilm series is spotlighting exciting and diverse research from across our NBIC partner institutions. We hear from early career researchers, PhD students, and Interdisciplinary Research Fellows who are contributing fresh perspectives to biofilm and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) science. Their stories highlight not only innovation in research, but also the value of inclusion, collaboration, and diversity in driving scientific discovery.
In this blog, Samantha Skivens, third year PhD student at the University of Kent, shares her journey from a passion for infectious disease to developing mitochondrial-targeting anti-fungal drugs to combat antimicrobial resistance, while reflecting on her experiences as a hard-of-hearing researcher and her commitment to inclusion and accessibility in science.
A Journey Shaped by Curiosity
I really enjoyed science when I was doing my GCSEs, with biology always being my favourite subject. I was particularly fascinated by human cells and infection, and this interest continued into my undergraduate studies, where I chose all the disease and infection modules.
During the final year of my undergraduate degree, we went into lockdown for COVID-19. At the time, I was unsure about what I wanted to do after graduation, but hearing about the new developments on the news and reading scientific publications confirmed that I wanted to work in the field of disease and infection, and explore how we can treat or prevent these illnesses. This motivated me to pursue a master’s degree in medical microbiology before continuing on to a PhD in the same area.
Between my MSc and PhD, I worked in two different COVID-19 laboratories: one focused on PCR testing of nasopharyngeal swabs, and the other on whole genome sequencing of the samples to track emerging variants. I also volunteered with St. John Ambulance during lockdown, helping to administer vaccines to the public.
Exploring Mitochondrial Targets in Fungal Disease
I’m working in Professor Campbell Gourlay’s lab, researching the role of mitochondria in biofilm formation and whether it can be targeted for therapeutics. My research project focuses on understanding the role of mitochondria in fungal infection and exploring whether this can be used as a therapeutic target.
We have been developing a new antifungal drug that targets the mitochondria and has shown promising results so far. This could contribute to the development of new fungal treatments, which is particularly important given the high rates of antimicrobial resistance seen in clinical settings.
My work revolves around treating and preventing biofilm-related infections by identifying and testing new drug targets. I hope that my research will highlight promising new avenues for drug development and help draw attention to the ongoing issue of antimicrobial resistance. The drug I am developing has shown a reduction in biofilm formation and respiration in some fungal species.
Navigating Academia with a Hearing Impairment
I have struggled in academic environments as I am hard of hearing and wear hearing aids, which has often made lectures difficult to follow. This became particularly challenging during COVID-19, when face masks made it harder to hear and prevented me from lip reading.
I’ve found that talking to people about it really helps. Others are usually not judgmental and are often interested to learn how it affects my life and are eager to help or make changes where needed. However, I think that for some people, it can be difficult to talk about their experiences, as they may worry about being judged for any extra needs they have in situations such as education, research, or attending conferences.
I feel that I have been very well supported in my career so far, although this may be because having an inclusion requirement for 23 years has increased my confidence in asking for what I need. That said, some people may just need a little push in the right direction to find helpful resources before they feel comfortable discussing their requirements. Having information readily available could really help to reduce feelings of anxiety.
Looking Ahead
I am about to pause my PhD to go on maternity leave, but once I return, I hope to complete my studies and continue my research in a postdoctoral position, focusing on biofilm prevention and treatment.
As awareness of biofilms and AMR continues to grow among both the scientific community and the public, I hope this will lead to broader conversations about antimicrobial stewardship, infection control, and the importance of increased funding and research in this critical area.
Find out more
If you are interested in learning more about Samantha’s work and would like to connect, please contact NBIC at nbic@biofilms.ac.uk
Samantha Skivens, a third year PhD student at the University of Kent.
