Decoding the pharmaceutical potential of mistletoe. MRC GW4 BioMed DTP PhD studentship for 2026/27 Entry, Department of Biosciences. Ref: 5621

Supervisors

Lead Supervisor - Dr Hans-Wilhelm Nuetzmann - University of Exeter, Department of Biosciences

Co Supervisors:

Professor Nick Smirnoff - University of Exeter, Department of Biosciences

Dr Seána Duggan - University of Exeter, Department of Biosciences

Dr Vicky Hunt - University of Bath, Department of Life Sciences

The GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP is offering up to 17 funded studentships across a range of biomedical disciplines, with a start date of October 2026.

These four-year studentships provide funding for fees and stipend at the rate set by the UK Research Councils, as well as other research training and support costs, and are available to UK and International students.

About the GW4 BioMed2 Doctoral Training Partnership

The partnership brings together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff (lead) and Exeter to develop the next generation of biomedical researchers. Students will have access to the combined research strengths, training expertise and resources of the four research-intensive universities, with opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary and 'team science'. The DTP already has over 90 studentships over 6 cohorts in its first phase, along with 80 students over 4 cohorts in its second phase.

The 122 projects available for application, are aligned to the following themes;

• Infection, Immunity, Antimicrobial Resistance and Repair

• Neuroscience and Mental Health

• Population Health Sciences

Applications open on 1 September 2025 and close at 5.00pm on 20th October 2025.

Please note that we may close the application process before the stated deadline if an unprecedented number of applications are received– check our website for details.

Studentships will be 4 years full time. Part time study may also be available.

Project Information

Research Theme: Infection, Immunity & Antimicrobial Repair

Summary:

Microbial infections threaten our health and kill millions worldwide. In this project, we will deploy cutting edge biochemistry, genomics, and microbiology to carry out an in-depth characterisation of the natural products of mistletoe and assess their bioactivity against microbial pathogens and biofilms. Our goal is to decode the pharmaceutical potential of a traditional medicinal plant in the treatment of microbial diseases. 

Description:

Viscum album, commonly known as European Mistletoe, has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and continues to be studied for its diverse pharmacological applications. The natural products of this parasitic plant have shown anti-microbial, anti-cancer, cardiovascular and antidiabetic effects and have been demonstrated to improve the quality of life of cancer patients. In a recent research breakthrough, the giant genome of mistletoe, 30 times larger than the human genome, has been fully assembled, making it now possible to link the natural products of mistletoe to its genetic reservoir of biosynthesis genes and to fully unlock its potential to produce bioactive natural products. 

In this PhD project, we aim to systematically dissect the metabolic reservoir of mistletoe and to analyse the anti-microbial activity of its metabolites. 

Our objectives will be: 

1. To biochemically characterize the pool of natural products of mistletoe and to uncover its genomic potential for the synthesis of bioactive metabolites

2. To link biosynthesis genes to bioactive metabolites and re- constitute metabolic pathways, and
3. To establish the inhibitory potential of mistletoe extracts, individual metabolites and metabolite combinations on microbial communities. 

In detail, we will investigate the metabolic profile of mistletoe by liquid and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS and GC-MS). We will collect samples at different times of the year, different growth stages and tissues to collect a comprehensive library of molecules. 

Identification of novel compounds will be enhanced by a new cutting- edge mass spectrometer with Multistage Mass Spectrometry (MSn) capability at Biosciences Exeter. 

Metabolic experiments will be accompanied by advanced genome annotation of putative metabolism genes as well as transcriptomics by RNAseq and epigenomics by Cut&Tag to identify candidate metabolite biosynthesis genes. To confirm gene function and reconstitute pathways, key candidate genes will be heterologously expressed and products chemically analysed. 

Metabolite extracts as well as pure compounds will be tested for their cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity by inhibitory assays against diverse microbes, nematodes and cell lines. A versatile suite of cellular and microbiological assays will be used to assess cytotoxicity in human cell lines via LDH release, and antimicrobial activity in both planktonic and biofilm cultures through MIC, MBIC, and MBEC assays under host-mimicking conditions (e.g. cell culture media, 5% CO₂, 37 °C). Resistance potential of lead compounds will be evaluated through serial passage in escalating concentrations. This integrated approach enables scalable screening and provides mechanistic insight into host and microbial responses, supporting translational relevance. 

Together, this project will advance our understanding of the pharmaceutical potential of an ancient source of medication and will provide an exemplar case for the genomics-driven chemical exploration of plant species with super-sized genomes. 

The knowledge gained from this project will help to identify novel lead compounds to treat polymicrobial infections. It will offer multidisciplinary training in biochemistry, molecular genetics and microbiology - vital skills for establishing a successful career in medical biology. It will be embedded in a collaboration between the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, the Biosciences Department in Exeter and the Life Sciences Department at Bath, and will provide access to a world-leading network of scientists. 

In this project, the prospective student will actively participate in the design of the project, will be encouraged to bring in their own research ideas and drive the direction of the project.

Funding

This studentship is funded through GW4BioMed2 MRC Doctoral Training Partnership. It consists of UK tuition fees, as well as a Doctoral Stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26, updated each year).

Additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum is also available.

Eligibility

Residency:

The GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP studentships are available to UK and International applicants. Following Brexit, the UKRI now classifies EU students as international unless they have rights under the EU Settlement Scheme. The GW4 partners have agreed to cover the difference in costs between home and international tuition fees. This means that international candidates will not be expected to cover this cost and will be fully funded but need to be aware that they will be required to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.  All studentships will be competitively awarded and there is a limit to the number of International students that we can accept into our programme (up to 30% cap across our partners per annum).

Academic criteria:

Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of medical sciences, computing, mathematics or the physical sciences.  Applicants with a lower second class will only be considered if they also have a Master’s degree. Please check the entry requirements of the home institution for each project of interest before completing an application. Academic qualifications are considered alongside significant relevant non-academic experience.

English requirements:

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements for the University of Exeter by the start of the programme. Please refer to the details in the following web page for further information https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/englishlanguagerequirements/

Please check the relevant English Language requirements of the university that will host the PhD project.  

Data Protection

If you are applying for a place on a collaborative programme of doctoral training provided by Cardiff University and other universities, research organisations and/or partners please be aware that your personal data will be used and disclosed for the purposes set out below.

Your personal data will always be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations of 2018. Cardiff University (“University”) will remain a data controller for the personal data it holds, and other universities, research organisations and/or partners (“HEIs”) may also become data controllers for the relevant personal data they receive as a result of their participation in the collaborative programme of doctoral training (“Programme”).

Further Information

For an overview of the MRC GW4 BioMed programme please see the website www.gw4biomed.ac.uk

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of medical sciences, computing, mathematics or the physical sciences. Applicants with a lower second class will only be considered if they also have a Master’s degree. Please check the entry requirements of the home institution for each project of interest before completing an application. Academic qualifications are considered alongside significant relevant non-academic experience.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements for the University of Exeter by the start of the programme. Please refer to the relevant university website for further information.  This will be at least 6.5 in IELTS or an acceptable equivalent.  Please refer to the English Language requirements web page for further information.

Please check the relevant English Language requirements of the university that will host the PhD project. 

How to apply

A list of all the projects and how to apply is available on the DTP’s website at gw4biomed.ac.uk.  You may apply for up to 2 projects and submit one application per candidate only.

Please complete an application to the GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP for an ‘offer of funding’.  If successful, you will also need to make an application for an 'offer to study' to your chosen institution.

Please complete the online application form linked from our website by 5.00pm on Monday, 20th October 2025.  Please note that we may close the application process before the stated deadline if an unprecedented number of applications are received– check the DTP’s website for details and updates

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be notified from Tuesday, 23rd December 2025.  Interviews will be held virtually on 27th and 28th January 2026.  

Further Information

For informal enquiries, please contact GW4BioMed@cardiff.ac.uk

For project related queries, please contact the respective supervisors listed on the project descriptions on our website.

Summary