Groundbreaking funding to study Campylobacter jejuni
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) have secured a substantial grant of £850,000 from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The award supports a focused investigation into how Campylobacter jejuni survives, adapts, and thrives in the complex environment of the human gut. This work aims to fill critical gaps in our understanding of one of the leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, with potential implications for prevention, treatment, and public health policy.
Why Campylobacter jejuni matters
Campylobacter jejuni is a common bacterial pathogen that causes gastroenteritis in humans, typically linked to undercooked poultry and other contaminated foods. In the gut, the bacterium must contend with fluctuating oxygen levels, varying pH, competing microbes, and host immune defenses. How it navigates these challenges—altering gene expression, metabolism, and cell structure—underpins its ability to colonize the gut and cause disease. The project funded by UKRI-BBSRC seeks to decode these survival strategies in detail, offering potential routes to interrupt transmission and reduce illness.
The study goals and approach
The LSHTM team will combine cutting-edge genomics, transcriptomics, and functional assays to map the adaptive responses of C. jejuni during gut colonization. By simulating gut-like conditions in the laboratory and analyzing how the bacteria rewire metabolic pathways and stress responses, researchers hope to identify key survival determinants that enable persistence despite hostile factors such as bile acids and immune surveillance. The project also intends to explore strain-to-strain differences, recognizing that genetic diversity within the species can influence virulence and resilience.
Impact on public health and food safety
Insights from this research could inform improved risk assessments, surveillance strategies, and targeted interventions to prevent infections. For instance, understanding the molecular tricks C. jejuni uses to endure gut stress could lead to novel food safety measures or therapeutic approaches that disrupt its ability to establish infection. In addition, the findings may guide vaccine development or microbiome-focused strategies aimed at outcompeting or inhibiting this pathogen in the gut ecosystem.
Collaboration and capacity building
The project represents a collaborative effort among experts in bacterial pathogenesis, microbiology, and genomics at LSHTM. Support from UKRI-BBSRC reinforces the UK’s commitment to funding high-impact research that addresses real-world health challenges. The initiative also contributes to capacity building in essential lab techniques, computational analyses, and interdisciplinary training for postgraduate and early-career researchers.
What this funding signals for the UK research landscape
Securing £850,000 demonstrates confidence in the UK’s ability to tackle stubborn infectious disease problems through innovative science. As antimicrobial resistance and foodborne illness continue to pose public health concerns, targeted studies like this one are crucial for developing proactive, science-led solutions. The LSHTM team’s work could serve as a blueprint for integrating laboratory findings with policy planning and consumer safety measures in the near term.
About the researchers
LSHTM has a long-standing track record in bacterial pathogenesis and gut microbiology. By leveraging state-of-the-art genomic and molecular biology tools, the researchers aim to translate basic science discoveries into practical benefits for patients, food producers, and public health authorities.
