Rate My Professor Martha Clokie

Professor Martha Clokie holds the position of Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Genetics, Genomics and Cancer Sciences at the University of Leicester. She is also the Director of the Becky Mayer Centre for Phage Research, the first dedicated phage research centre in the UK. Over the past two decades, Professor Clokie has led pioneering research into bacteriophages—naturally occurring viruses that infect and kill bacteria—as therapeutic agents against antibiotic-resistant infections. Her investigations span the isolation, genomic characterization, and application of phages targeting key pathogens such as Clostridium difficile, Salmonella species in poultry and animals, antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing urinary tract infections, respiratory pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and those associated with Lyme disease. Employing advanced techniques including next-generation sequencing, structural biology, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and phage formulation, her group develops phage cocktails for clinical and agricultural use. Collaborations with industry partners, such as Enbiotix, have advanced phage sets effective against C. difficile toward therapeutic development. She heads a research team focused on translating fundamental phage biology into practical antimicrobials for human and animal health.

Professor Clokie's scholarly impact is evidenced by her highly cited publications that have advanced phage ecology, therapy development, and antimicrobial alternatives. Key works include 'Phages in nature' (2011, Bacteriophage, 1679 citations), 'Alternatives to antibiotics—a pipeline portfolio review' (2016, The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 1089 citations), 'Formulation, stabilisation and encapsulation of bacteriophage for phage therapy' (2017, Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 670 citations), 'Bacterial photosynthesis genes in a virus' (2003, Nature, 598 citations), 'Bacteriophages' (2009, Humana Press, 493 citations), and 'Bacteriophage Combinations Significantly Reduce Clostridium difficile Growth In Vitro and Proliferation In Vivo' (2016, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 290 citations). Her efforts have secured significant research funding, including for global health projects, and positioned the University of Leicester as a leader in phage research. Professor Clokie has influenced policy by addressing UK MPs on phage therapy's potential and featured in BBC programs such as The Life Scientific, Infinite Monkey Cage, and Today Programme. Through public lectures, committee contributions, and editorial roles, she promotes phage-based solutions to antimicrobial resistance.