Group
The East Midlands Microbiome Research Network
Unit(s) of assessment: Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy
Research theme: Health and Wellbeing
School: School of Science and Technology
Overview
The East Midlands Microbiome Research Network (EMMRN) brings together expertise from across the region to showcase world-leading microbiome-related research and coordinate collaborative opportunities. The Network takes a One Heath approach to understanding the complexities of the microbiome and aims to capitalise on academic and industry expertise across human, animal, soil and plant microbiomes to facilitate multidisciplinary approaches to novel innovations.
Core group research aims
The network promotes dissemination of new findings and opportunities in the role of the microbiome in:
Studies on the gut, skin, lung, vaginal and oral microbiotas, with a focus on microbiology, microbiomics, metabolomics, nutrition, diseases, treatments and interventions, and precision medicine.
Microbiome-based interventions (e.g. probiotics, phage) for improving animal health and welfare, and agriculture practices.
Agriculture, soil health, and food production, aiming to develop sustainable practices and increase crop yields.
Ecological systems, pollution control, and conservation, with an emphasis on preserving and restoring natural environments.
Build strong partnerships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and agricultural organisations to speed up turning research into real-world applications and products.
Promote microbiome awareness and literacy among the public, students, and professionals through educational programmes, workshops, and community engagement events.
Network Partner Organisations
The East Midlands Microbiome Research Network (EMMRN) aims to be a dynamic catalyst for research, innovation, and collaboration. We drive on the wealth of diverse expertise in the region, contributing to both national and international research environments.
Ntu.ac.uk
Nottingham.ac.uk
Le.ac.uk
Lboro.ac.uk
Medilinkmidlands.com
https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/
https://biofilms.ac.uk
https://www.derby.ac.uk
How to join
The East Midlands Microbiome Research Network is open to all those with an active interest in the microbiome. To join the network please complete the form here and submit to the Steering Group.
For any enquiries, please contact Professor Lesley Hoyles - EastMidlandsMicrobiomeNetwork@ntu.ac.uk
Steering group members
Prof. Lesley Hoyles
Professor Hoyles, a distinguished figure in the field of Microbiome and Systems Biology at Nottingham Trent University, serves as an academic lead for the Antimicrobial Resistance, Omics & Microbiota research theme. Her expertise lies in integrating microbiology and bioinformatics methodologies both in vitro and in vivo to understand how members of the gut microbiota function and influence human health and disease. Using integrated systems-level approaches, Professor Hoyles has defined the contribution of the microbiome and its metabolites to steatotic liver disease (MAFLD), metabolic retro conversion, and integrity of the blood–brain barrier. Her work is currently funded by Diabetes UK, Cancer Research UK, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Alzheimer’s Research UK, the Healthcare Infection Society and EU Horizon 2020.
Lesley's Profile
Kim Hardie - University of Nottingham
Kim Hardie is a Professor in Bacterial Pathogenesis at the University of Nottingham's School of Life Sciences, where she co-leads the Division of Infection, Immunity, and Microbes. Additionally, she serves as the research director at Nottingham for the National Biofilm Innovation Centre and co-Director for the Wellcome Trust Doctoral Training Programme on Antimicrobials and Antimicrobial Resistance, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham. Her research has uncovered bacterial protein secretion pathways and understanding the impact of signalling molecules on bacterial communication and pathogenicity. Currently, Kim's research investigates biofilm formation in chronic skin wound infections, aiming to develop new antimicrobials, combination therapies, and diagnostic biomarkers since these are notoriously hard to treat and have life-changing consequences.
Leah Cuthbertson - University of Leicester
Leah Cuthbertson is an early career Lecturer in Microbiology within the department of Respiratory Sciences at the University of Leicester. She is also a member of the Leicester Microbial Sciences and Infectious Disease Centre steering committee. Her research focuses on understanding how the respiratory microbiome and the environment, impact health outcomes in patients with respiratory disease. Using a combination of classic and molecular microbiology alongside bioinformatics techniques her work aims to understand and uncover risk factors that lead to poor health outcomes. Leah is also passionate about the development and validation of reproducible techniques for the processing of low biomass samples and managing contamination in microbiome studies.
Associated Research Groups and Centres
Centre for Systems Health and integrated Metabolic Research (SHiMR)
SHiMR is structured around four themes covering various aspects of human health and chronic diseases, including cancers which are treatable but not curable, diabetes and other inflammatory conditions.
Antimicrobial Resistance, Omics and Microbiota (AROM)
Antimicrobial Resistance, Omics and Microbiota (AROM) research group incorporate classical microbiology, molecular biology, systems biology and bioinformatics.
The Network organises a number of events, workshops and a regular online seminar series
Upcoming events:
| Event | Date | Host | Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
= | Date | University | Speaker |
= | Date | University | Speaker |
Past events:
| Event | Date | Host | Speakers | Link to seminar recording: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Seminar title: The human gut microbiome: myths, and truths September 2023 EMMRN Seminar | September | Nottingham Trent University | Speaker : Dr Alan Walker, University of Aberdeen | |
Characterizing virus-host interactions in soil using metagenomics November 2023 EMMRN Seminar | November 15th 2023 | University of Leicester | Dr Christina Hazard | https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lk979dgu6lg62s6qjo31u/East-Midlands-Microbiome-Network-Dr-Christina-Hazard-20231115_150713-Meeting-Recording.mp4?rlkey=cd5eiepzwtyluel27qmc305nm&dl=0 |
Related Groups and Centres
The Research Centre for Systems Health and Integrated Metabolic Research (SHiMR) delivers interdisciplinary research to explore health and diseases across the life course. SHiMR aims to tackle some of this century’s most urgent health challenges by harbouring expertise in priority research themes: Cancer Biology, Immunology and Therapeutics (CBIT), Metabolic Health, Antimicrobial Resistance, Omics and Microbiota (AROM) and Integrative Neurophysiology.
Related Projects
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
The Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding Disease Research Centre submitted an impact case study to REF 2021. 99% of NTU's research submitted to the 'Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy' Unit of Assessment was considered to be either world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of quality.
Discover the real-world impact of the research below.