Dissecting Fusobacterium strain variation and virulence determinants driving host inflammation and pre-neoplastic transition

About the Project

Our vision is to identify the specific microbial "triggers" that turns a common mouth bacterium into a driver of intestinal disease, establishing a foundation for early cancer detection and prevention.

Chronic inflammation is a primary driver of DNA damage and a fundamental hallmark of cancer development< sup>1. While a healthy microbiome maintains our internal balance (homeostasis), an imbalance (dysbiosis) can promote pro-inflammatory states that lead to malignancy. Traditionally an inhabitant of the mouth, the bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum is now recognised as a significant pathogen associated with colorectal cancer, particularly in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)².

Although we know some bacterial factors that promote inflammation, they do not explain why Fusobacterium transitions from a harmless resident in the mouth to a pathogen in the gut. Our preliminary data shows a significant expansion of Fusobacterium in both saliva and faeces in IBD patients. This suggests that specific, highly virulent strains are selectively overgrowing and moving from the mouth to the gut to drive disease. We hypothesise that these strains harbour unique genetic "arsenals" that initiate the pre-neoplastic (pre-cancerous) environment.

This interdisciplinary research aims to characterise these aggressive strains and discover how they "reprogramme" human cells. This PhD studentship will address this by using state-of-the-art technologies to:

1. Map the Bacterial Genome: Use whole-genome sequencing to compare "healthy" and "disease" strains, identifying the specific genes that allow certain bacteria to become invasive.
2. Model the Infection: Use advanced human cell culture models (oral and intestinal) and high-resolution microscopy to track how these bacteria invade tissues and trigger inflammatory signals.
3. Identify Epigenetic Shifts: Investigate how chronic exposure to these bacteria causes DNA damage and "epigenetic remodelling", changes to how our genes are turned on or off, leading toward a pre-cancerous state.

The outcomes of this project will provide a vital mechanistic foundation for early disease screening and the development of new microbiome-targeted therapies.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant and multidisciplinary supervisory team, with expertise in Microbiology, Immunology, and Human Epigenetics, in their well-equipped laboratories at the Newcastle University supported by NIHR, UKRI, and industrial partners. We are committed to an inclusive research culture that treats PhD students as valued colleagues. You will receive intensive training in cutting-edge techniques from bioinformatics and genomics to advanced microscopy, ensuring you are highly competitive for a future career in academia or industry.

Ref: 1 Nat. Rev. Immunol. (2021) 21:653-667; 2 Nature (2024) 628:424-432.

Funding

Students who have, or are expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, are invited to apply. Funding is available for Home (UK) students to cover tuition fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (indicative amount in year 1 in 2026-27, £21,805) and research costs, for four years. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates. There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

Funding for this studentship is awarded on a competitive basis and is not guaranteed; availability will depend on the outcome of the selection process and subject to final approval by the University.

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the following application form – Google Form

Applicants can only apply for 1 project; any additional applications will not be accepted.

Applicants should send the following documents to FMSstudentships@newcastle.ac.uk:

• a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees).
• a Cover letter – stating your project choice, as well as including additional information you feel is pertinent to your application.
• copies of your relevant undergraduate degree transcripts and certificates.
• a copy of your IELTS or TOEFL English language certificate (where required)
• a copy of your passport (photo page).

A GUIDE TO THE FORMAT REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IS AVAILABLE

Please submit your documents in the following format only:

• each document should be submitted as a separate attachment and should be named as follows: candidate surname, candidate name – document type. For example: Jones, Jamie – CV; Jones, Jamie – cover letter.
• Please submit .pdf documents where possible for your CV, cover letter, transcripts and certificates. Do not submit photos of certificates.
• Do not combine documents into one pdf. You may zip separate documents into a zip file to send via email if required.
• When emailing your application, please use the email subject header: FMS PhD Application 2026

Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.

Informal enquiries may be made to the lead supervisor of the project you are interested in.

The deadline for all applications is 12 noon BST (UK time) on Wednesday 20th May 2026