Projects for October 2026 entry are open for applications. For details on the application process, please visit the 'How to apply' page.
Obesity has epidemic proportions in the UK as more than 60% of adults are overweight and 33% have fatty liver. Poor dietary habits (western diets) are the main contributors to obesity and liver steatosis, where lipid accumulation becomes toxic for hepatocytes leading to cell death and consequent inflammation.
The human gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem shaped by nutrition, immunity, but also by shared microbes from our families.
Bacterial genomes undergo many changes at the nucleotide level but it is increasingly being recognised that macro changes in their genome structure also occur. In this project, the genetic and environmental factors driving genome rearrangement will be investigated in two strains of foodborne bacteria.
How do blood vessels know when to switch between healing and harm?
This project offers the opportunity to develop the next generation of microbiome targeted food ingredients. Working in collaboration between Quadram Institute and ADM, one of the worlds largest food ingredient suppliers, this PhD program will explore the impact of novel milling technologies on microbial accessibility of carbohydrates in food ingredients.
Antibiotic resistance remains one of the great challenges to human health and whilst we understand a lot about resistance mechanisms much of this work has been limited to simple laboratory studies.