Carrying a toxic burden: the continuing spread of “Shiga toxin stx2a”-harbouring phage in E. coli (LANGRIDGE_Q26MMB)
Key Details
- Application deadline
- 6 January 2026 (midnight UK time)
- Location
- Quadram Institute Bioscience
- Funding type
- Competition Funded (Home and International)
- Start date
- 1 October 2026
- Mode of study
- Full-time
- Programme type
- PhD
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Project description
Primary supervisor - Dr Gemma Langridge
Shiga-toxin encoding E. coli (STEC) are of great public health concern due to the risk of foodborne gastroenteritis progressing to the clinically severe haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Toxin subtype stx2a is linked to a higher chance of this progression and sequence-based surveillance has indicated increasing acquisition of this subtype across genetically diverse E. coli. In this project, we will explore the influence of multiple copies of the stx2a toxin gene, investigate the diversity of the prophage that carry the toxin and identify additional genetic factors contributing to HUS. To do this, we will combine bacterial and phage genomics with clinical data, perform qPCR expression assays and assess prophage mobilisation potential in the laboratory.
This will help inform public health surveillance and provide an evidence base to predict future emergence of novel pathogenic types.
The supervisory team consists of leading experts Dr Gemma Langridge, microbiology and E. coli genomics, Dr Evelien Adriaenssens, phage biology, and Dr Claire Jenkins, UK Health Security Agency lead for E. coli. Together they will provide world class training and support to the student in developing cutting edge skills in both laboratory (sequencing, qPCR, phage biology) and computational/analytical areas (bacterial and phage phylogenomics, genome-wide associations).
During the PhD programme the student will spend time at UKHSA, gaining experience of working between an academic and public health institution in a multidisciplinary team to translate research into practical methodologies impacting public health outcomes.
Located on the Norwich Research Park, the Quadram Institute is a new, state of the art building with outstanding facilities. The student will join a diverse community of microbiologists and informaticians, alongside a cohort of graduate researchers with exceptional training opportunities.
Informal enquiries can be sent to gemma.langridge@quadram.ac.uk
The Microbes, Microbiomes and Bioinformatics (MMB) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) is open to UK and international candidates with relevant undergraduate degrees for entry in October 2026 and offers the opportunity to undertake a fully-funded 4-year PhD research project supported by the UKRI Medical Research Council in microbiology and microbial bioinformatics.
Our unique and comprehensive training programme empowers students to feel comfortable running sophisticated computer analyses alongside laboratory work and emphasises problem-based learning in microbial bioinformatics, professional development and research skills. All MMB DTP students undertake a Professional Placement.
Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place on Tuesday 10 February 2026.
The MMB DTP is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Students are selected without regard to age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation or social background. We value curiosity, independence of thought, plus an aptitude for research that combines laboratory work and bioinformatics.
For information on eligibility and how to apply: http://www.uea.ac.uk/phd/mmbdtp
Entry requirements
At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (MED/SCI equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).
Funding
This project is awarded with a 4-year fully-funded studentship including direct payment of tuition fees to the University, stipend for living expenses (2025/26 rate: £20,780) and a Research Training Support Grant for each year of the studentship.
References
Rodwell, E V., A. Simpson, Y.-W. Chan, G. Godbole, N.D. McCarthy, and C. Jenkins. The epidemiology of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26: H11 (clonal complex 29) in England, 2014–2021. Journal of Infection 86, no. 6 (2023): 552-562.
Carter, C., A. Hutchison, S. Rudder, E. Trotter, E.V. Waters, N. Elumogo, and G.C. Langridge. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli population structure and antimicrobial susceptibility in Norfolk, UK. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 78, no. 8 (2023): 2028-2036.
Rodwell, E.V., Chan, Y.W., Sawyer, C., Carroll, A., McNamara, E., Allison, L., Browning, L., Holmes, A., Godbole, G., McCarthy, N. and Jenkins, C., 2022. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli clonal complex 32, including serotype O145: H28, in the UK and Ireland. Journal of Medical Microbiology, 71(8), p.001579.
Greig, D.R., Quinn, O.I., Rodwell, E.V., Olonade, I., Swift, C., Douglas, A., Balasegram, S. and Jenkins, C., 2024. Genomic analysis of an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O183: H18 in the United Kingdom, 2023. Microbial Genomics, 10(5), p.001243.
Docherty, J.A., Cook, R., Kiu, R., Dyball, X., Brown, T., Kujawska, M., lily-Smith, R., Phillips, S., Watt, R., Telatin, A., Tiwari, S., Hall, L.J., and Adriaenssens, E.M. 2025. Diverse Defence Systems and Prophages in Human-Associated Bifidobacterium Species Reveal “Arms Race” Dynamics. bioRxiv, 10.1101/2025.01.20.633837.