Dr Melissa Webby

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

I joined the School of Life Sciences as a new Principal Investigator in July 2025. My passion lies in understanding bacteria, with a focus on combating antimicrobial resistance by uncovering how the protective outer shell, known as the cell envelope, is constructed. I am particularly fascinated by Gram-negative species and their complex three-layered envelope. As a protein biochemist and structural biologist, my lab isolates dynamic protein complexes to study their structure and interactions. By combining biochemical methods with fluorescence microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, and tomography, we investigate where these complexes assemble and how they cooperate to maintain the cell envelope’s integrity, which is a critical process for bacterial survival.

Research Groups

Microbiology & Infectious Disease

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: supportive, empowering, collaborative.

Provision of Training

Myself or other lab members will provide hands-on training in the early stages of the PhD to build strong technical foundations, to foster independence as soon as possible. I also support students in developing broader skills such as critical thinking, writing, and data interpretation.

Progression Monitoring and Management

We’ll have fortnightly lab meetings and in-person one-to-one check-ins, along with short monthly written reports to help keep projects progressing strategically. I’m committed to supporting you in achieving your research and career goals, but I rely on you to keep me in the loop so I can provide help when it’s most useful.

Communication

I’m typically available by email and have an open-door policy during work hours for informal chats or quick questions. While I may send emails outside normal hours, I don’t expect you to do the same. We also have a lab chat via Teams. I’m always happy to discuss anything affecting your ability to thrive in the lab and to offer career advice.

Meetings

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

Work Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings) I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Visualising Dynamic Protein Complexes in the Bacterial Cell Envelope Using Bacteriophage-Derived Tools

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).

Visualising Dynamic Protein Complexes in the Bacterial Cell Envelope Using Bacteriophage-Derived Tools

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Antonia Sagona

University of Registration: University of Warwick

BBSRC Strategic Research Priority: Understanding the Rules of Life (Microbiology, Structural Biology)

Project Outline

Antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria is a major global health threat. Their three-layered cell envelope makes infections especially hard to treat. Understanding how this barrier is built and maintained by molecular machines is essential for uncovering new therapeutic targets.

Multi-protein complexes that make up the machines, must assemble at precisely the right time and place during cell growth to maintain the envelope and prevent catastrophic failure. Yet the molecular details of their assembly, coordination, and function remain poorly understood, largely because their transient and dynamic nature makes them difficult to study with traditional imaging and biochemical methods.

This project tackles that challenge using innovative bacteriophage-based tools to visualise these complexes in action inside living cells with unprecedented precision. You will be supported by the Webby and Sagona labs, which bring complementary expertise in cell envelope biology, biochemistry, structural biology, and phage engineering.

You will gain hands-on experience in phage engineering, molecular microbiology, fluorescence imaging, structural biology, and protein biochemistry. These cutting-edge approaches allow you to study envelope complexes in ways previously inaccessible, addressing questions that traditional methods cannot reach.

We offer a supportive, collaborative environment, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and strong links to leading UK research institutions. The project will be shaped around your interests, with mini-project opportunities available.

Interested students are encouraged to make contact via email (melissa.webby@warwick.ac.uk)

Seeing Bacteria in Motion: Imaging the Dynamics of Envelope Assembly

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).

Seeing Bacteria in Motion: Imaging the Dynamics of Envelope Assembly

Secondary Supervisor(s): Professor Séamus Holden

University of Registration: University of Warwick

BBSRC Strategic Research Priority: Understanding the Rules of Life (Microbiology)

Project Outline

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest challenges in modern healthcare, with Gram-negative bacteria among the most formidable culprits. Their complex three-layered cell envelope protects the bacterium from antibiotics and tightly regulates molecular traffic in and out of the cell. Understanding molecular mechanisms of how this barrier is built and maintained is central to identifying new vulnerabilities and therapeutic targets.

One system critical to envelope stability is the Tol-Pal system. This dynamic multiprotein motor complex bridges all three envelope layers, stabilising interactions between them. Although the Tol-system is structurally homologous to other biological rotary motors, such as those driving flagellar rotation, the molecular details of how it assembles and harnesses energy for function remain elusive.

This project will resolve how Tol-proteins assemble in vitro and how the assembled complex responds to energy within cells. Using ground-breaking approaches, you will apply super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to visualise molecular events with unmatched resolution, alongside molecular tools designed to trap transient assembly states. Together, these methods will capture the Tol-system in action in living cells for the first time.

The Webby lab offers expertise in protein biochemistry and molecular microbiology, while the Holden lab brings world-leading expertise in live-cell super-resolution microscopy. Working at this exciting interface, you will gain skills in molecular genetics, advanced imaging, protein biochemistry, and quantitative image analysis, all in a collaborative environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities and an international network of collaborators.

The project will evolve in partnership with you, ensuring its direction is shaped by your interests and strengths. To learn more or discuss opportunities, please get in touch (melissa.webby@warwick.ac.uk).

Co-supervisor on a project with Professor Séamus Holden.