Project Lead:  Esther Gbadebo

Next-generation prebiotics: MicroMods is a precision microbiome-modulation platform based on engineered microcomposite materials that selectively promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Rather than broadly stimulating the microbiome, MicroMods delivers targeted prebiotic compounds within gastrointestinal-inert carriers to support engraftment of specific microbial groups. The project underpins development of a recently filed patent covering this microcomposite-based scaffolding prebiotic technology, enabling translation towards personalised microbiome therapeutics.

Project Lead: Isobel Goodger

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) involves transferring stool from a healthy donor into a patient to restore a balanced gut microbiome. It is currently licensed for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection, where it achieves success rates of around 90%, exceeding those of antibiotics. These successes have driven interest in applying FMT to other diseases.

One such condition is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic disorder affecting over 500,000 people in the UK. IBD includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). This project focuses primarily on UC, where current clinical trials suggest greater therapeutic potential for FMT.

The project investigates which therapeutic components (“bioactives”) are present in donor stool and in different FMT formulations, including processed faecal slurry (slFMT) and freeze-dried oral FMT (loFMT). These include beneficial bacteria, bacteriophages, and short-chain fatty acids. It also examines whether these bioactives survive processing and contribute to treatment efficacy, with the goal of developing evidence-based guidelines to standardise and optimise FMT medicine production.

Project Lead: Emily Burke

Periodontitis (otherwise known as gum disease) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions worldwide. Periodontitis results in sore and bleeding gums and is caused by an imbalance that exists within that person's oral microbiome. Beyond bleeding gums, periodontitis can also lead to tooth loss and is implicated in Alzheimer’s and heart disease 

The reliance on antimicrobial treatment in Periodontitis fails to fix the root cause, meaning most people will have to regularly return to the hygienist or even experience worsening of the disease.

My research is focused on improving the treatment and prevention of recurring gum disease by addressing this imbalance. My project is working on developing a system that can deliver a healthy oral microbiome (given by a healthy donor) to help restore the balance in the mouth and prevent or delay the return of periodontitis after dental treatment.