News

22nd April 2026

Metagenomic software advance boosts research into microbial diversity

Metagenomics relies on the use of software programmes called assemblers, which can reconstruct tens of thousands of individual microbial genomes from DNA sequencing of samples such as soil, bodily fluids, or clinical swabs from hospitals. This can allow researchers to track and analyse how...

20th April 2026

How genomics clarifies a complex Campylobacter picture

Genome sequencing at the Quadram Institute has helped uncover information about the UK population of Campylobacter, the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis. The new study from the Food Standards Agency’s PATH-SAFE programme was led by the Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial research (IOI) with...

13th April 2026

New Fellows to tackle how food environments shape microbial adaptations

Dr Samuel O’Donnell and Dr Alessia Lepore bring expertise on how food environment and processing shape how fungi and bacteria survive and persist along the food chain. Dr Samuel O’Donnell will investigate how changes in their genomes allow fungi to survive preservation techniques. His...

8th April 2026

How gut bacteria could inspire novel colon cancer therapy through glycochemistry

Scientists have drawn inspiration from gut bacteria to suggest a novel way of limiting colon cancer progression

20th March 2026

Professor Lindsay Hall elected Fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology

Professor Lindsay Hall has been elected as a new fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM), which recognises scientific excellence and long-standing contributions to microbiology

13th March 2026

Quadram Institute appoints Dr Matthew Gilmour as Chief Scientific Officer

The CSO role is pivotal to the development of the institute’s scientific strategy and the scientific leadership of the institute. Matthew will now take up the role of CSO and will also continue to lead his research group, focused on understanding foodborne pathogens such...

12th March 2026

Island birds reveal surprising link between immunity and gut bacteria

Scientists have uncovered a hidden link between gut health and the immune system – thanks to the Seychelles warbler, a small songbird found on Cousin Island in the Seychelles

12th March 2026

Salad packs a healthy punch to meet a growing Vitamin B12 need

The partnership between the John Innes Centre and the Quadram Institute, based at the Norwich Research Park, the University of Bristol, and indoor farm specialists LettUs Grow, harnessed the latest aeroponic techniques to successfully deliver the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin B12 within...

18th February 2026

Understanding the microbiome in severe malnutrition

Children undergoing treatment for severe acute malnutrition lack an effective gut microbiome, which impairs their ability to use dietary fibre, hindering their recovery, according to a new study led by the Quadram Institute. By studying the microbiomes of children hospitalised with severe acute malnutrition,...

16th February 2026

Clinical innovation fund backs new research projects to benefit Norfolk patients

The Quadram Institute Clinical Seedcorn Fund was first established in 2021/2022 to help clinicians develop research ideas with scientists at the Quadram Institute. The fund supports secondments of NHS staff to Quadram Institute laboratories and associated research costs. Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB) in partnership...