The impact of diet and the ageing gut on inflammation, immunity and cognitive function

The gut microbiota plays a central role in health, regulating immunity and brain function via the gut–brain–immune axis. Age-related changes in the microbiome are thought to drive immune dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and cognitive decline. Diet strongly influences microbiota composition, and fermentation of dietary fibre to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) supports gut integrity, reduces inflammation, and may protect against inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. This project will investigate whether dietary interventions, such as increased fibre intake or SCFA supplementation, can mitigate age-associated changes in immune function and cognition.

Using state-of-the-art technologies and high-dimensional data analysis, this PhD will explore the complex interplay between the gut, immune system and brain across the life course. Working with human samples and datasets, you will:

• Characterise relationships between gut microbiota, gut barrier function, systemic and peripheral immune inflammation, and cognitive performance
• Determine how age modulates these relationships and identify age-specific microbiota and immune signatures linked to cognitive health
• Evaluate the impact of dietary fibre or SCFA supplementation on gut microbiota, gut barrier integrity, immune activation, and cognition in older adults.

This project will provide comprehensive, interdisciplinary training in human immunology, gut health, and cutting-edge cellular and molecular techniques. You will gain hands-on experience in primary human cell culture, full-spectrum flow cytometry, inflammatory profiling, metagenomics, assessment of gut permeability, and cognitive testing, alongside advanced quantitative skills in data analysis, including dimension reduction techniques and mixed linear models.

By integrating experimental, bioinformatic, and translational approaches, this PhD will equip you with a versatile skill set relevant to academic, clinical, and industry careers in immunology and physiological research. 

The project is in collaboration with Imperial College London and is part-funded by the Vivensa Foundation and Rosetrees Trust.

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.

Applicants should hold (or be about to obtain) a first or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area including; medical sciences, biomedical sciences, molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry or related disciplines. Scientific curiosity, strong communication and organisational skills, a proactive and flexible approach to work, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team are essential.

An MSc/MRes in any biomedical research with merit or distinction and/or previous research experience in molecular or cell biology, or bioinformatics would be advantageous.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our Biosciences and Medicine PhD.