Elucidating E. coli-microbiome crosstalk in Crohn’s disease (SCHULLER_U26MMB)
Key Details
- Application deadline
- 6 January 2026 (midnight UK time)
- Location
- UEA
- 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 - Prof Stephanie Schuller
Crohn’s Disease (CD) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease affecting > 120,000 people in the UK. It is a life-long condition often diagnosed in young adulthood. Symptoms include chronic abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and weight loss. There is no cure, and many patients require surgery. In addition, current therapies with anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs are associated with severe side effects. The specific causes for CD remain unknown, but research suggests that environmental triggers and underlying genetic factors lead to an imbalance in the gut microbiome. This can result in increased permeability of the gut epithelium and overactive immune response. Notably, a particular type of E. coli which adheres to and invades intestinal epithelial cells (AIEC), is highly prevalent in CD tissue, but it remains unclear if AIEC is a cause or consequence of the disease. To devise efficient treatment strategies aimed at restoring microbial homeostasis in CD, it is vital to understand the interactions between AIEC and the microbiome and how this affects the gut epithelium.
In this project, we will unravel AIEC-microbiome crosstalk and its impact on inflammation in CD by applying a microaerobic intestinal cell model, human organoid technology, cell and molecular biology, confocal microscopy and metagenomic sequence analysis. By deciphering the interactions between AIEC, the microbiome and the intestinal epithelium, this project will contribute to the development of improved therapies for CD aimed at restoring microbial homeostasis.
The project will be based at the Norwich Research Park in the modern, well-equipped Bob Champion Research & Education Building. The successful PhD student will be supervised by an interdisciplinary expert team at the UEA Norwich Medical School (Schüller) and the Earlham Institute (Quince).
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
Palmela C et al. (2018) Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli in inflammatory bowel disease. Gut 67:574–587.
McGrath CJ, Laveckis, E., Bell, A., Crost, E., Juge, N. & Schüller, S. (2022) Development of a novel human intestinal model to elucidate the effect of anaerobic commensals on Escherichia coli infection. Dis Model Mech. 15(4):dmm049365.
Sato T et al. (2011) Long-term expansion of epithelial organoids from human colon, adenoma, adenocarcinoma, and Barrett's epithelium. Gastroenterology 141(5):1762-72.
Quince C, Ijaz UZ, Loman N, Eren AM, Saulnier D, Russell J, Haig SJ, Calus ST, Quick J, Barclay A, Bertz M, Blaut M, Hansen R, McGrogan P, Russell RK, Edwards CA, Gerasimidis K. (2015) Extensive Modulation of the Fecal Metagenome in Children With Crohn's Disease During Exclusive Enteral Nutrition. Am J Gastroenterol. 110(12):1718-29.