About the Project
Bacteria are the most numerous living organisms on planet Earth (~10^30) and most of them spend the majority on their lives encased in biofilms [1]. Bacteria play important roles in medicine, biotechnology and the environment. Biofilms provide the bacteria with a fortress which protects them again environmental threats e.g. antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is a huge threat to modern medicine e.g. without effective antibiotics surgery becomes extremely challenging and bacterial pathogens will…
kill millions of people annually. Over the last years our group has explored the electrophysiology of bacteria. This newly established field of biophysics has demonstrated that bacteria can modulate their membrane potentials in a similar manner to eukaryotic systems (e.g. neuronal systems). How and why they do this is not well understood.
Previous work from our group has provided evidence for spiking potentials in a wide range of microbes using electrical impedance spectroscopy [2, 3]. A clear signature of ion channel activity is seen as a negative capacitance at low frequencies; a behaviour also seen with neurons. Furthermore, optogenetic experiments with fluorescent voltage sensitive proteins has demonstrated that spiking potentials can be measured in single bacteria using fluorescence microscopy [4] and the work has been recently reproduced in our group. Furthermore, we have developed agent-based models for the electrophysiology of bacteria interacting in biofilms [5, 6].
There are a range of open questions that we will explore during the PhD:
i) What is the spike code for bacteria in response to environmental stresses e.g. light or antibiotic stress? Can the spike code be modelled with tools from neuronal electrophysiology?
ii) Can the Donnan potential be measured in a biofilm using a patch clamp?
iii) Can the anomalous transport of potassium ions be incorporated into agent-based models of bacterial signalling in biofilms? Data from E. coli, B. subtilitis and N. gonorrhoea will be investigated.
iv) Can electrical impedance spectroscopy be developed into a test for antibiotic resistance?
v) Can synthetic biology techniques be used to create more detailed Hodgkin-Huxley models of bacterial electrophysiology via genetic knockdowns of ion channels?
This experimental biological physics project will extend our understanding of bacterial electrophysiology. We believe this is a crucial missing link to understand the behaviour of bacteria and specifically pathogenic bacteria that are important to disease. The PhD will be hosted equally between the biophysics lab of Waigh and the evolutionary microbiology lab of Krasovec. The student would be expected to have a physics background with good experimental physics/programming skills. Specialized training on the biology component will be provided.
This project is expected to start in September 2027.
Before you apply: We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply.
How to apply:
To be considered for this project you must complete a formal application through our online application portal. If you already have an applicant account this link will directly open an application for PhD School of Natural Sciences Scholarships. If you don't already have an applicant account, please follow the instructions here.
When applying, please specify the full title and supervisor/s of the project, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. You must also upload a Supporting Statement describing your motivation to apply to the project, your CV and transcripts of awarded and in-progress university qualifications. Please note late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester and central to all our activities. A diverse research community strengthens creativity, productivity and quality, while increasing the societal and economic impact of our work. We welcome applicants from all career paths, backgrounds and sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or transgender status.
We welcome applications from candidates returning to study after a career break or experience in other roles. Flexible study arrangements may be available, including part-time study at 50%, 60% or 80%, subject to the requirements of the project and funder.
Eligibility: The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in Physics or Maths (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master's degree at merit in Physics or Maths (or international equivalent).
This project will remain open until filled.
If your application is submitted by 1st November 2026, you can expect a decision by 18th December 2026.
If your application is submitted by 15th January 2027, you can expect a decision by 30th March 2027.
Self or externally funded students can also be considered for this project.
FSE_SoNS
Funding Notes
Funding covers tuition fees, an annual stipend at the UKRI minimum rate (currently £21,805 per year), and a research training support grant of up to £2,500 per year for the full 3.5-year programme.
References
[1] 'The Physics of Bacteria: from Cells to Biofilms', T.A.Waigh, CUP, 2024.
[2] E.Akabuogu, et al, ACS Nanoletters, 2024, 24, 7, 2234
[3] A.Kuntran, et al, Submitted, 2026.
[4] X.Jin, et al, PNAS, 2023, 120, 3, 2208348120
[5] E.Akabuogu, et al, eLife, 2024, 13, RP92525.
[6] V.Martorelli, et al, Physical Review E, 2024, 109, 054402.