The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in health and disease. We are focused on the virus component of the microbiome called the virome, and its role in human health. Our favourite group of organisms in the microbiome are the bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria.

We aim to elucidate the role of viruses in the healthy gut across life, leveraging data generated by the QI PEARL and MOTION studies. We are investigating the role of prophages in bacterial fitness and adaptation to the gut.

We are also heavily involved in virus taxonomy, creating a genomic framework with which to understand global viral diversity. We further aim to use newly isolated bacteriophages in the biocontrol of pathogenic bacteria in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, to improve human and environmental health.

We use a holistic approach of culture-dependent and computational methods to study viruses. Specifically, we are specialised in phage and prophage genomics and annotation, and viromics (viral metagenomics).