- B432, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 584482
- philip.warburton@plymouth.ac.uk

Profiles
Dr Philip Warburton
Lecturer in Medical Microbiology
School of Biomedical Sciences (Faculty of Health)
Biography
Biography
Lecturer in Medical Microbiology within the School of Biomedical Sciences.
- Madeleine Steer (PhD candidate – co-supervisor with Professor Richard Thompson). Quantifying the influence of waste water treatment on the release of microplastics to the environment, 2018-present (Funding: NERC Industrial CASE with UKWIR).
- Darshana Srivastava (PhD candidate - Director of Studies, with co-supervisors Professor Mathew Upton and Dr Lee Hutt). Plantimicrobials: Botanical epiphytic bacteria as a source of novel bioactive compounds for the treatment of pathogenic infections. 2023-present.
- Dr Matthew Koch (co-supervised with Professor Mat Upton). Deep-sea discovery – mining marine environments for novel biologics, 2017-2022. (Funding: Society for Applied Microbiology)
- Dr Poppy Hesketh-Best (co-supervised with Professor Kerry Howell). Investigating the microbial ecology of deep-sea sponges, 2017-2022. (Funding: Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Plymouth)
Qualifications
Professional membership
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Roles on external bodies
Journal Reviewer:
- Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
- FEMS Microbiology Ecology
- Journal of Medical Microbiology
- Environmental Microbiology
- Environmental Pollution
- Microbiology journal
- Frontiers in Microbiology
Grant Reviewer:
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
- Health Research Board, Ireland
External Examiner:
- Edinburgh Napier University - Applied Microbiology programme and Microbiology & Biotechnology programme
- University College London - PhD examiner
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
Teaching general microbiology, molecular genetics, infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance, plus research methods, understanding and development across all levels (foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate). Also supervise both undergraduate and postgraduate project students, as well as co-supervise PhD students.
- MSc Biomedical Science (Cancer Biology, Clinical Neuroscience, and Infection & Immunity pathways)
Module Leader:
- BIOM5005 Research Design and Development
- BIOM5006 Research Project
- BHCS3001 Personal research Project for BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science & BSc (Hons) Human Biosciences programmes
- BIOM5006 Research Project for MSc Biomedical Science programme
- BHCS001 Infection, Immunity and Therapeutics
- BHCS1006: Infection and Immunity
- BHCS2002: Evidence-Based Practice in Biomedical Science
- BHCS2006: Infection, Immunity and Disease
- BHCS2027: Placements and Employability
- BHCS3003: Clinical Microbiology
- BHCS3008: Current Developments in Biomedical Science (infection topic)
- BHCS3030: Biomedical Science Placement
- BIOM5001: Molecular Biology: Genomics, Transcriptomics and Proteomics
- BIOM5008: Infection and Immunity
- FMD003 Learning Skills for Healthcare
Research
Research
Research interests
Antibiotic Resistance and Novel Antimicrobials
The World Health Organisation has declared antibiotic resistance as one of the major threats facing public health as bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics of last resort which are critical in the treatment of diseases. My interests are focused on identifying the genetic basis of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, and understanding how this resistance is acquired and maintained in bacteria. Many antibiotic resistance genes are carried on mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids, conjugative transposons and integrative genetic elements, which are able to transfer between different bacteria further disseminating resistance. My investigations include looking at antibiotic resistance in bacteria from both clinical and environmental area which can contribute to hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections, and looking at diversity in the resistance mechanisms and their associated genetic elements.
I lead the Plantimicrobials project that is investigating plants for sources of novel antimicrobials to help combat antibiotic resistance, in collaboration with the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Cornish Essential Oils. I also collaborate with Dr Raul Bescos Garcia looking at the effects of propolis on oral bacteria.
Bacterial Diversity
Bacteria often live in complex communities that can comprise several hundred different species. Many of these communities are poorly investigated, with limited knowledge on their composition and diversity. My research looks at bacteria community diversity, understanding what bacteria are present and potentially investigating them for novel compounds and enzymes.
I currently have a number of collaborate partners and interested parties which include the Animal and Plant Health Agency (part of DEFRA), Anglia Ruskin University, Philip Parker Associates Environmental Consultancy, the Church of England and the National Trust, along with other charities and organisations.
I always welcome prospective PhD students which have an interest in these related areas. Please contact me in the first instance.
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
-
Madeleine Steer (PhD candidate – co-supervisor with Professor Richard Thompson). Quantifying the influence of waste water treatment on the release of microplastics to the environment, 2018-present (Funding: NERC Industrial CASE with UKWIR).
Darshana Srivastava (PhD candidate - Director of Studies, with co-supervisors Professor Mathew Upton and Dr Lee Hutt). Plantimicrobials: Botanical epiphytic bacteria as a source of novel bioactive compounds for the treatment of pathogenic infections. 2023-present.
- Matthew Koch (2017-2021) with Professor Mat Upton and Professor Kerry Howel. Discovery of novel antimicrobials from deep sea sponges
- Poppy Hesketh-Best (2017-2021) with Professor Kerry Howell and Professor Mat Upton. Bioactivity and ecology of bacteria from deep sea sponges
- Thomas Garry (UG year-long placement student 2022-23)
Recent Group Members
- Ioanna Giannakidou (UG summer placement student 2022)
- Stephanie MacLean (UG year-long placement student 2021-22)
- Ellie Rowlands (UG summer placement student 2021)
- Rachael Burton (UG summer placement student 2020)
- Benedict Paulukiewicz (UG summer placement student 2019)
- Agnes George (UG year-long placement student 2017-18)
Grants & contracts
- Society for Applied Microbiology Summer Studentship - PI; £2485. Evaluating the Antimicrobial Activity of a Propolis-based Mouthwash on Oral Bacteria, with Ms Rachael Burton. 2021
- Higher Education Innovation Fund (University of Plymouth) - Co-I with Professor Mat Upton; £9000. The Antibiotic Accelerator Network, ABX - engaging with industry to remove bottlenecks in antibiotic discovery. 2021
- Seale-Hayne Educational Trust - PI; £5109. Microbial migrants: Microplastics as a vector in the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. 2020
- Society for Applied Microbiology Summer Studentship - PI; £2489. Investigating bacteria associated with microplastics leaving wastewater treatment, with Mr Benedict Paulukiewicz. 2019
- NERC Industrial CASE Studentship - Co-I with Professor Richard Thompson; £89,114. Quantifying the influence of waste water treatment on the release of microplastics to the environment, with Ms Madeline Steer. Commenced October 2018.
- Society for Applied Microbiology PhD Studentship - Co-I with Dr. Mat Upton, Dr Kerry Howell and Dr Alistair Bishop; £69,459). Deep Sea Discovery - Investigating deep sea sponges for novel bacteriocins, with Mr Matthew Koch. Commenced October 2017.
- Plymouth University PhD Studentship - Co-I with Dr Kerry Howell, Dr Mat Upton and Dr Alistair Bishop; ~£61,000. The microbial ecology of deep sea sponges and mining for novel biologics, with Ms Poppy Hesketh-Best. Commenced September 2017.
- Harry Smith Vacation Studentship, Microbiology Society - PI; £1845. Determining antibiotic resistance in bacteria from treated waste water, with Ms Melissa Temlett. 2017.
- Anglia Ruskin University Postgraduate Studentship (tuition fee only) - Co-PI with Dr. Benjamin Evans; ~£19,000). Investigating antibiotic resistance in aquatic sources, with Mr David Doherty. 2015.
- Microbiology Society Harry Smith Vacation Studentship - PI; £1865. Investigating the molecular mechanisms of carbapenem resistance; with Mr Elliot Harper. 2015.
- Deputy Vice Chancellor Extra-curricular Award, Anglia Ruskin University. Collaboration with Dr. Richard Jones; £1500. 2015.
- Anglia Ruskin University, Postdoctoral Award. Co-I with Dr. Benjamin Evans; ~£48,000. Determining the mechanisms of carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumanii; with Yuiko Takebayashi. Commenced November 2014.
- Enterprising Academics Award. Anglia Ruskin University. PI; £5000. Investigating pathogens and antibiotic resistance in UK farms. 2014.
- Anglia Ruskin University Graduate Summer Studentship. PI; £2000. Investigating bacterial diversity in faecal samples; with Mr Harry Tracey. 2014.
- Anglia Ruskin University Graduate Summer Studentship. PI; £2000. Investigating antibiotic resistance in clinical Enterococcus; with Ms Charlotte Bygraves. 2013
- Anglia Ruskin University Postgraduate Studentship. (Co-PI with Dr. Benjamin Evans; ~£60,000. Investigating the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in oral bacteria; with Mr Simon Whelan. Commenced March 2013.
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
JournalsPersonal
Personal
Other academic activities
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, UK
- Health Research Board, Ireland.
- Environmental Pollution
- Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
- Frontiers in Microbiology
- Environmental Microbiology
- FEMS Microbiology Ecology
- Microbiology Journal
- Journal of Medical Microbiology