At Newcastle, world-class microbiological research is undertaken in medical sciences, biological sciences, civil engineering and geoscience.
In medical sciences, our Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology has the strongest concentration in the world of scientists working on fundamental problems in bacterial cells. Research focuses on cell division; the control of gene expression; cell morphogenesis; protein synthesis; and metal–protein complexes. A number of successful spin-off companies have been created by our staff as a result of their research and our ability to translate basic biological research to the industrial setting. For example, Demuris Ltd is a drug discovery company that develops novel therapeutics, including new antibiotics that will combat the threat from emerging diseases and the rise of antibiotic resistance. We offer studentships through a variety of funding sources and our research degrees are complemented by the MRes in Molecular Microbiology, which can also be studied as part of an integrated MRes/PhD programme.
In biological sciences, the applied and environmental microbiology group researches microbial biology in a range of habitats. Their diverse work ranges from discovering natural products to improving our understanding about the role of microbiology in reducing food spoilage, producing biofuels, and the bioremediation of polluted environments. The group also works on a range of environmentally important pathogens and host–pathogen interactions in a range of diseases including those in plants and coral reefs. MPhil and PhD students contribute to our work and have access to specialist facilities relevant to their studies such as microscopy and ozone exposure facilities, controlled environment rooms and DNA sequencing services. We have launched a number of successful spin-off companies such as Biofresh Ltd and Geneius Laboratories, which provide industrial placements to our postgraduate students.
The School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences has an international reputation for microbial ecology and environmental microbiology. Research is multidisciplinary and contributes fundamental advances in environmental engineering and biogeochemistry. The School has a strong body of researchers committed to advancing the microbiological aspects of engineered and natural environments.
We publish leading-edge research into areas as varied as anaerobic crude oil degradation in petroleum reservoirs, engineered biological treatment systems and the microbial ecology of climatically significant processes such as methane cycling. We collaborate with mathematicians and modellers to develop underlying methods and theories that unite fundamental and applied aspects of the microbiology of environmental engineering and Earth systems. We have particular expertise in linking measured geochemical processes directly to the size and diversity of the microbial communities that mediate them.