Dr Carolin Kobras

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Treatment failure of bacterial infections is a major and growing public health challenge. The Kobras Lab investigates how bacteria survive antibiotic exposure and how these survival strategies influence treatment outcomes and the evolution of antimicrobial resistance.

Bacteria can survive antibiotic treatment through different mechanisms. Antibiotic resistance enables bacteria to grow at antibiotic concentrations that would normally inhibit them, whereas antibiotic tolerance allows otherwise susceptible bacteria to survive transient exposure without a significant increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). While resistance has been studied extensively, the contribution of antibiotic tolerance to persistent and recurrent infections and to the evolution of resistance remains less well understood. Our research aims to uncover the genetic and physiological basis of these survival strategies and understand their significance in clinical isolates.

We combine molecular microbiology and experimental evolution with population genomics, bridging controlled laboratory studies with the analysis of clinical isolate collections. We investigate the mechanisms and evolutionary trajectories that enable bacterial survival, integrating these findings with large-scale genomic analyses to examine how antibiotic survival traits emerge, spread and persist in real-world bacterial populations.

Scientific Inspiration

I have been fortunate to work with several researchers who have inspired me throughout my scientific journey, particularly in the fascinating world of bacteria and microbiology. I admire not only their passion for science and dedication to research, but also their patience, willingness to share knowledge, and ability to guide and manage people. Seeing how they balance scientific excellence with being supportive mentors has shaped the kind of researcher and colleague I aspire to become.

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Supportive, collaborative, and empowering.

Provision of Training

My approach to PhD supervision focuses on creating a supportive and structured learning environment that encourages students to develop independence over time. In the early stages, students benefit from hands-on guidance from myself and experienced lab members. As they gain skills and confidence, they are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for designing experiments, analysing data, and shaping the direction of their research.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I work closely with students to set realistic goals and key milestones, regularly reviewing their progress through one-to-one discussions and group meetings. My aim is to encourage students to take ownership of their research while ensuring they receive constructive feedback, practical support in overcoming challenges, and guidance to keep their projects moving forward.

Communication

I believe clear and open communication is key to effective supervision. I am approachable, responsive and often available at short notice. I encourage students to raise challenges early so we can address them together. I value enthusiasm and dedication to research, but also believe that enjoying the process and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are equally important.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per week. These meetings will be face-to-face. I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 or 4 days per week.

Work Patterns

Certain tasks in my lab need to occur at set times, and students need to be able to commit to a rota/timetable shared with other members of the team.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Understanding antibiotic tolerance across bacterial pathogens

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Understanding antibiotic tolerance across bacterial pathogens

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Michelle Buckner

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes:

Understanding the Rules of Life (Microbiology)

Project Outline

Bacteria have a remarkable capacity to survive in rapidly changing and often hostile environments. Antibiotics present them with an extreme challenge; however, some bacteria can survive exposure without becoming resistant. This phenomenon, known as antibiotic tolerance, is an important yet poorly understood contributor to treatment failure and persistent infections.

This project will investigate antibiotic tolerance across major human pathogens, including ESKAPE and WHO priority pathogens, to understand its genetic and evolutionary basis. We will ask whether tolerance is governed by shared mechanisms across bacterial species or pathogen-specific survival strategies, how these mechanisms evolve, and how tolerance influences antimicrobial resistance. This will uncover the fundamental principles of how pathogens survive antibiotics and could ultimately inform new strategies to improve the treatment of bacterial infections.

The project offers the unique opportunity to combine bacterial genetics, high-throughput phenotyping and experimental evolution with innovative computational approaches, such as population genomics and machine learning. This integration will bridge fundamental laboratory discovery and clinical isolate collections, advancing antimicrobial research with real-world relevance.

Building on an established research programme on antibiotic tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus, this project extends the research across pathogens, while also providing multidisciplinary training. The student will develop expertise across experimental and computational microbiology with scope to shape the project around their interests and emerging findings. They will join a highly supportive and inclusive research environment with complementary expertise across the supervisory team, and benefit from a long-standing collaboration with the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, providing access to world-leading expertise in bacterial genomics and digital microbiology.