Bacterial biology - from mechanisms to medicines
Research into bacteria and their role in our bodies and the environment is key to solving some of today's biggest health challenges. Bacteria are everywhere - they help us digest food, protect us from infections, and support ecosystems. Cambridge researchers are at the forefront of understanding bacterial biology, bridging the gap between fundamental mechanisms and practical environment and medical applications. This collaborative approach is paving the way for impactful outcomes across biological, medical and environmental sciences.
Collaboration and Engagement
Through a series of collaboration meetings, Cambridge researchers from across disciplines are working together to share their research findings, open challenges and future plans, aiming to advance the understanding of bacterial biology. These meetings provide a platform for scientists from fields such as microbiology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, and systems biology to exchange insights, discuss recent discoveries, and explore new research directions.
Research Highlights
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Natural clean-up: bacteria can remove plastic pollution from lakes
A study of 29 European lakes has found that some naturally-occurring lake bacteria grow faster and more efficiently on the remains of plastic bags than on natural matter like leaves and twigs.
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Scientists map how deadly bacteria evolved to become epidemic
Pseudomonas aeruginosa – an environmental bacteria that can cause devastating multidrug-resistant infections, particularly in people with underlying lung conditions – evolved rapidly and then spread globally over the last 200 years, probably driven by changes in human behaviour, a new study has found.
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Tiny ‘skyscrapers’ help bacteria convert sunlight into electricity
The researchers, from the University of Cambridge, used 3D printing to create grids of high-rise ‘nano-housing’ where sun-loving bacteria can grow quickly. The researchers were then able to extract the bacteria’s waste electrons, left over from photosynthesis, which could be used to power small electronics.
Contributing Researchers
Somenath Bakshi, Engineering
Camilla Godlee, Biochemistry
Andrew Grant, Veterinary Medicine
Kate S Baker, Genetics
Cinzia Cantacessi, Veterinary Medicine
Graham Christie, Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology
Andres Floto, Medicine
Diana Fusco, Physics
Ben Luisi, Biochemistry
Naomi McGovern, Pathology
Jeanne Salje, Pathology and Biochemistry
Hendrik van Veen, Pharmacology
Martin Welch, Biochemistry
John Welch, Genetics
Ashraf Zarkan, Genetics
Jenny Zhang, Chemistry
Work with us
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with industry partners, policy makers and academics. If you are interested in working with us, please contact Dr Abi Herrmann, Research Strategy Manager.