About the Project
Primary Supervisor - Professor Matt Hutchings
Antimicrobial resistance in disease-causing bacteria represents a significant threat to global health. To address this, we urgently need to replenish the antibiotic discovery pipeline with new molecules. Most antibiotics in clinical use are derived from specialised metabolites made by Streptomyces bacteria that were discovered last century. However, genome analysis indicates that we have discovered only 3% of the specialised metabolites encoded by these bacteria with the rest remaining “silent”…
under laboratory growth conditions. To activate these silent pathways, we first need to understand how they are controlled.
Streptomyces bacteria have complex lifecycles, and antibiotic production is typically coordinated with sporulation. We have discovered a key regulator which controls the spore phase of the lifecycle and, when it is overexpressed, it activates numerous silent pathways in the model organism Streptomyces venezuelae. We propose that this regulator blocks the expression of genes required for sporulation and activates genes required for spore germination. We hypothesise that it activates numerous “silent” specialised metabolite biosynthetic pathways that are required to protect germinating spores against predation. We further propose that over-expressing this regulator in diverse Streptomyces species will switch on the production of numerous silent pathways and lead to the discovery of lots of new antibiotics.
In this project the student will test these hypotheses by identifying all the gene targets of this regulator in S. venezuelae and examining the effects of its overexpression on specialised metabolism in environmental Streptomyces strains. This will include the use of comparative metabolomics to identify new antibiotics.
The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2027 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.
This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th February 2027.
Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk
Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.
To maximise accessibility and attract students from underrepresented groups to our programme we have introduced bespoke templates for applicant Personal and Research statements which will enable every applicant to fully represent themselves through providing suitable examples and evidence. These forms are on the NRPDTP website and must be used for these sections of the application form.
Entry requirements
At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).
Mode of study
Full-time
Start date
1 October 2027
Funding Notes
This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2026/27 stipend rate: £21,805, and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.