Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
Application deadline: Monday, November 23, 2026
About the Project
Most bacteria in nature live in biofilms, communities that are usually attached to solid surfaces and protected by a self-produced matrix of polymer molecules. Biofilms are frequently highly resistant to antibiotics, and are very sticky so difficult to remove from surfaces. Biofilms represent a massive problem for humanity, causing ~80% of infections, fouling pipes, and increasing fuel usage on ships. The economic impact of biofilms has recently been estimated to be ~ US$4000 billion per year.
We have recently discovered a fundamental link between energy metabolism and biofilm formation. This links to a body of literature suggesting that respiration can alter biofilm development and, more broadly, to studies on how energy metabolism affects bacterial physiology and behaviour. This project will explore these links to understand how biofilms can be prevented and removed by modulating energy metabolism.
Our main research questions are:
- How is the energy state of the cell linked to biofilm formation?
- How is this link regulated? What are the sensors and regulators involved in this process?
- How can we use this link to prevent biofilm formation, and remove biofilms that have already formed?
We will use a combination of approaches, grounded in single-cell analysis of bacteria using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and molecular biology. This will allow us to measure how individual bacteria respond to alterations in their energy state, and how they change regulation of genes responsible for aspects of biofilm formation (such as adhesins and matrix polysaccharides). We will start work in E. coli and Salmonella but expect to expand into other species to test the broader implications of the link between energy and biofilms.
This interdisciplinary project is supervised by Professor Tim Overton, an expert on biofilms, single-cell analysis of bacteria, and bacterial physiology, and Professor Jessica Blair, an expert on bacterial efflux pumps and antimicrobial resistance.
Project supervisors
Dr Tim Overton
Career overview
Dr Tim Overton is a Reader in Microbial Biotechnology at the University of Birmingham's School of Chemical Engineering. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry with Molecular and Cell Biology (1999) and a PhD in Biochemistry (2003), both from the University of Birmingham. Dr Overton's academic journey began with training as a biochemist, followed by a postdoctoral research position where he investigated bacterial responses to oxygen and various stresses. His interest in bioprocessing of biopharmaceuticals was sparked during a collaborative project with GSK, focusing on the production of challenging recombinant proteins in E. coli.
Dr Overton's research is centred on applying molecular biology and single-cell techniques to enhance bioprocesses, particularly in microbial flow cytometry. He collaborates extensively with bioprocess engineers, molecular microbiologists, cell biologists, and environmental microbiologists to develop innovative methods for addressing fundamental questions at the single-cell level. His work encompasses using bacteria to produce valuable products, such as protein drugs and small molecules, and understanding bacterial stress responses in these processes.
He is a member of the Healthcare Technologies Institute (HTI), an interdisciplinary network of over 70 academics dedicated to advancing new technologies and treatments for improved tissue healing and rehabilitation. Dr Overton's research themes include the regulation of antibiotic resistance (AMR), the formation of bacterial biofilms, and optimising processes for the production of high-value microbial products. His contributions to the field are recognised through his involvement in various committees, including the BBSRC and UKRI Talent, and as a peer reviewer for numerous scientific journals and funding bodies.
In addition to his research, Dr Overton is actively engaged in teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, covering topics such as basic biology, molecular biology, systems and synthetic biology, and fermentation processes. He also supervises practical laboratory work and is involved in various wellbeing initiatives within the university.
Research interests
Dr Tim Overton's research focuses on microbial biotechnology, specifically applying molecular biology and single-cell techniques to enhance bioprocesses. He is actively involved in microbial flow cytometry research and collaborates with bioprocess engineers, molecular microbiologists, cell biologists, and environmental microbiologists to address fundamental questions at the single-cell level. His research encompasses three main themes: understanding biofilm formation and prevention, optimising bacterial processes for producing valuable products like insulin, and addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through antibiotic efficacy. Dr Overton investigates the regulation of AMR, the relationship between energy metabolism and AMR, and the mechanisms by which antibiotics penetrate bacterial cells. In the area of biofilms, he explores how external stimuli drive biofilm formation and seeks methods to prevent it, including the use of vibration. His work on utilising bacteria for the production of high-value products includes optimising fermentation processes and developing novel promoters for recombinant protein production. Dr Overton's research is supported by funding from organisations such as BBSRC, TSB, and EU FP7, and he is part of the Healthcare Technologies Institute, which aims to translate research into health applications.
