Ashraf Zarkan Email & Phone Number

Cambridge

Bacterial infections is a worldwide threat, having caused over1.2 million deaths in 2019, and is predicted to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050. In most infections, bacteria form protective shields, known as biofilms, against the immune system and antibiotics. Within biofilms, bacteria thrive meaning that infection worsens and treatment fail. There are currently no selective antibiofilms available for bacterial infections. BioTryp Therapeutics is a start-up company based on 10+ years of research at the University of Cambridge. At BioTryp, we developing antibiofilms, nipping an infection in the bud. By targeting biofilms, our technology has the potential to revolutionise how we treat and manage infections, providing a much needed alternative to traditional antibiotics.BioTryp's initial focus is on urinary tract infections (UTIs), affecting 400 million people per year worldwide (1-in-2 women and 1-in-10 men in their lifetime). Biofilms in UTIs lead to treatment failure and progression to more serious illness such as bacteraemia with a high mortality rate.BioTryp's antibiofilms will provide a route to treat bacterial infections (starting with UTIs) without inducing antibiotic resistance. They will contribute to the global worldwide efforts in addressing the rise of antibiotic resistance.

Department Of Genetics, Cambridge, Uk

Enabled by the generosity of the Rosetrees Trust, the Isaac Newton Trust, and the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Cambridge, the Transition To Independence (TTI) Fellowship is supporting my career transition to independence as a Principle Investigator. My research continues to focus on the increasing global problem of antimicrobial resistance especially in urinary tract infections.

Department Of Genetics, Cambridge, Uk

• Identified a bacterial enzyme in E. coli that contributes to the formation of biofilms (bacterial protective clothing), which is a major aspect of antibiotic resistance,• Embarked on a drug discovery project to identify small compound inhibitors,• The project has been an industrial collaboration with Cresset Discovery Services (UK). It also involved working with multiple CROs (e.g. Piramal Discovery Solutions, India),• The project started with in silico and in vitro screens (both phenotypic and enzymatic) to identify hits, followed by hit selection, expansion, and optimisation through a range of assays,• I initiated the project and the collaborations, drafted the grant applications, and secured funding. I also planned, led, and managed the project with both in-house and outsourced sections. • This project has obtained so for generous support from MRC Proximity to Discover 2017, Innovate UK: SBRI: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Humans 2019, Wellcome Trust Developing Concept Fund 2020, Isaac Newton Trust 2021 & MRC Confidence in Concept Fund 2021.

Department Of Genetics, Cambridge, Uk

• Investigated the relation between antibiotic resistance and bacterial signalling. Identified a critical role of indole signalling in the maintenance of bacterial cytoplasmic pH, with implications in antibiotic treatment,• Supervised postgraduate (PhD & MPhil), undergraduate (Part II Genetics), rotation, and internship students, as well as visiting scholars,• Demonstrator in undergraduate practical classes: Part IA Biology of Cells (Natural Sciences Tripos, Cambridge).

Department Of Biochemistry, Cambridge, Uk

• Supervised undergraduate students (Part II & Part III Biochemistry), who went on to finish their degrees with minimum 2.1,• Demonstrator in undergraduate practical classes: Part IB Biochemistry (Natural Sciences Tripos, Cambridge).

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

• Contribute to teaching and other college activities,• Supervisor for Part IB Biology of Disease and Part II Genetics students (Natural Sciences Tripos, Cambridge).

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

• Design and deliver lectures during Science Summer Programme (Small worlds: an introduction to microbiology). The lectures are in person for students from various backgrounds,• Design and record online lectures for a range of courses such as the Virtual Pre-University Summer Programme and the Undergraduate Certificate in Infectious Diseases. My lectures are around the themes of antimicrobial resistance and bacterial biofilms.

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

• Lecturer & course director at the Cambridge Centre for International Research (CCIR), • Design and deliver online course as part of the CCIR Cambridge Future Scholar Programme (course title: Bioinformatics and Drug Discovery: Combatting Infectious Diseases).• Design and deliver online research-based mentorships as part of the CCIR 1-on-1 Research Mentorship scheme.

Funded by Innovate UK and the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) and delivered by SETsquared, the Biofilms Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) programme is dedicated to research teams developing biofilm innovations. By engaging with businesses, investors, corporates, and translational research centres, I explored and validated the clinical need and the market potential of my research on developing a novel therapy for urinary tract infections.

University Of Liverpool International College, Liverpool, United Kingdom

• Welcomed, guided, and helped over 300 international students upon their first arrival in the UK

Damascus, Syria

• Established my own pharmacy and run it successfully until moving to the UK in 2009,• Obtained multiple administration, management, teamwork, and leadership skills,• Dealt with multiple medication providers, two assistants, and a funding partner.

Damascus, Syria

• Represented two medications: Biogabalin (Pain killer) and Meticron (Diabetic medication),• Communicated scientific context to a range of audience with higher or lesser scientific backgrounds.

Damascus, Syria

• Dealt with patients and handled various medical laboratory tests.

Phd, Biochemistry

Activities and Societies: Member of Churchill College & funded by a full scholarship from Cambridge Trust/Said Foundation,

Msc, Medical And Molecular Microbiology, Merit

Pgdip, Science, Distinction

Bsc, Pharmacy And Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 2:1

License, Medical Laboratories, Distinction