Dr Tim Overton

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Dr Tim Overton is a biochemist and molecular microbiologist who is interested in applying molecular biology and single-cell techniques to understand and develop bioprocesses. He is active in microbial flow cytometry research and collaborates widely with bioprocess engineers, molecular microbiologists, cell biologists and environmental microbiologists to develop new methods of answering fundamental questions on a single-cell level.

His research also focuses on using bacteria to make useful products such as protein drugs and small molecules, and the bacterial responses to stress encountered in such processes. Current and recent research funding has come from the BBSRC, TSB and EU FP7.

Research Themes

Research is split into three main themes. Throughout each stream we are interested in applying microbial physiology to solve real-world problems and optimise processes. We work closely with industry to do this.

Fermentation for useful products
Bacterial biofilms
Microbes in processing streams

Scientific Inspiration

Isambard Kingdom Brunel – he was so ahead of his time, but was resolute in his vision. Many of the things he designed and built are still in regular operation.

Research Groups

Institute of Microbiology and Infection

Healthcare Technologies Institute (HTI)

School of Chemical Engineering

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Supportive, collaborative, understanding.

Provision of Training

I discuss training with each student as part of our regular meetings. If you prefer to find your own way to do things and discover methods from the literature, then that is fine – if you need more guidance, then that is also good. I would expect that you would move from the latter to the former as we progress through the project, so by the end you have independence in designing experiments and developing expertise. Hands-on training will be provided by members of my group, myself (for some methods), and collaborators.

Progression Monitoring and Management

We will have weekly meetings and track progression through the project. Each week we will agree on targets and look back at what has been achieved in terms of method and expertise development, data collection, and data analysis. We can meet on a more regular basis if needed, to solve problems if they occur. As we progress, we can switch to less regular meetings (once every two weeks) if required.

Communication

I think that communication is key to success in a PhD. I am happy to discuss anything with my students – not just project and scientific issues, but pastoral and personal matters as well. If I can’t help directly I can guide you in the right direction, including the wellbeing team. Outside of weekly meetings (face to face or via Skype / zoom etc.) I am setting up a group space in Microsoft Teams, and am contactable by email. Work-life balance is incredibly important and I would expect that students find their own balance. I don’t expect responses to emails or messages at all hours or weekends, and I usually switch off my email at weekends.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per month

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per week (or less frequently if the student requests)

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per week (or less frequently if the student requests)

These meetings will mainly be face to face, and I am usually contactable for an instant response (if required) on every working day.

Working 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:

Electromicrobiology: Can bacterial behaviour be altered using electricity?

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).

Electromicrobiology: Can bacterial behaviour be altered using electricity?

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Neil Rees

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes:

Renewable Resources and Clean Growth (Industrial Biotechnology)

Project Outline

What happens when bacteria are stimulated with electricity? Respiration in bacteria to generate ATP involves movement of electrons, so can supply of exogenous electrons be used to change the way in which bacteria behave?

A recent study has shown that electrical stimulation of E. coli led to changes in growth rate and metabolism, suggesting that productive processes could be boosted by using electrostimulation. We are interested in both how electrostimulation could be used to improve processes, but also how electrostimulation could be used to change biofilm formation. Biofilms are difficult to kill and remove from surfaces, where they represent a massive problem for humanity, causing ~80% of infections, fouling pipes, and increasing fuel usage on ships.

We have recently discovered a fundamental link between energy metabolism and biofilm formation. This project will explore how electrostimulation can be used as a novel method for altering (ideally preventing) biofilm formation.

The main research questions are:

How do bacteria respond electricity, and how does electrostimulation affect biofilm formation?
What are the major sensors and regulators involved in these responses?
Can we use electricity to prevent biofilm formation, or to remove biofilms that have already formed?

We will use a combination of approaches using a range of electrochemical techniques (quiescent and hydrodynamic systems; pulsed, varying and constant applied potentials, etc), and rigorous single-cell analysis of bacteria using flow cytometry and microscopy, and molecular biology. This will allow us to measure how individual bacteria respond to well-defined electrostimulation at the physiological and molecular levels, and drawing quantified conclusions.

This interdisciplinary project will be supervised by Dr Tim Overton, an expert on biofilms, single-cell analysis of bacteria, and bacterial physiology, and Dr Neil Rees, an expert in electrochemistry.

APPLY HERE

Can we eliminate biofilms by feeding bacteria differently?

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).

Can we eliminate biofilms by feeding bacteria differently?

Secondary Supervisor(s): Professor Jessica Blair

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes:

Understanding the Rules of Life (Microbiology)

Project Outline

Most bacteria in nature live in biofilms, communities that are usually attached to solid surfaces and protected by a self-produced matrix of polymer molecules. Biofilms are frequently highly resistant to antibiotics, and are very sticky so difficult to remove from surfaces. Biofilms represent a massive problem for humanity, causing ~80% of infections, fouling pipes, and increasing fuel usage on ships. The economic impact of biofilms has recently been estimated to be ~ US$4000 billion per year.

We have recently discovered a fundamental link between energy metabolism and biofilm formation. This links to a body of literature suggesting that respiration can reduce biofilm formation and, more broadly, to studies on how energy metabolism affects bacterial physiology and behaviour. This project will explore these links to understand how biofilms can be prevented and removed by modulating energy metabolism.

The main research questions are:

How is the energy state of the cell linked to biofilm formation?
How is this link regulated? What are the sensors and regulators involved in this process?
How can we use this link to prevent biofilm formation, and remove biofilms that have already formed?

We will use a combination of approaches, grounded in single-cell analysis of bacteria using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and molecular biology. This will allow us to measure how individual bacteria respond to alterations in their energy state, and how they change regulation of genes responsible for aspects of biofilm formation (such as adhesins and matrix polysaccharides). We will start work in E. coli and Salmonella but expect to expand into other species to test the broader implications of the link between energy and biofilms.

This interdisciplinary project will be supervised by Dr Tim Overton, an expert on biofilms, single-cell analysis of bacteria, and bacterial physiology, and Professor Jessica Blair, an expert on bacterial efflux pumps and antimicrobial resistance.

APPLY HERE

Co-supervisor on projects with Professor Paula Mendes, Professor Joan Geoghegan, Professor Michael Bryant and Professor Jessica Blair.