{"id":"https://openalex.org/G6077975921","display_name":"Modelling the corneal microbiome to improve identification of pathogenic microorganisms","description":"Microbial keratitis (MK) is an infection of the cornea (the transparent front part of the eye) that may lead to ulcers, scarring and blindness. This in turn causes older people to lose their independence, people of working age to lose employment and can be devasting for families and communities, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Improving outcomes in MK depends on rapidly identifying the microorganism (bacteria or virus) causing the infection and targeting treatment towards this. One of the barriers to this has been the difficulty in collecting samples from the cornea. Until now, this has depended on the use of a sterile blade to scrape the infected area of the cornea. It can be very difficult to pick up enough bacteria on the blade for the laboratory to correctly identify what is causing the infection. A group, led by Professor Kaye at the University of Liverpool, recently developed a new, easy to perform method to obtain corneal samples called a 'corneal impression membrane (CIM)'. This is a specially adapted small piece of filter paper that is placed onto the infected area of cornea for 2-3 seconds. \n\nNext-generation sequencing is a new technology that directly studies the genetic make up of infectious organisms and can be used to identify previously unknown infections. In addition, next-generation sequencing is rapid, with results in a few hours compared to 48 hours for current techniques. It can also detect genes responsible for resistance to antibiotics. These features give the potential for rapid, accurate and personalised treatment of MK. \n\nA reason why next-generation sequencing is not currently used routinely is that it is very sensitive, meaning that other organisms that naturally inhabit the cornea without causing infection might be identified in error. Despite the cornea being the surface affected by MK, there is no data regarding these organisms, known together as the "corneal microbiome". As it is not invasive, the CIM sampling method offers an exciting opportunity to sample both the affected and unaffected eyes of patients presenting with MK as well as the eyes of patients unaffected by MK. By comparing these results we will gain a better understanding of which microorganisms cause infections. \nThe main aim of this fellowship is to better define the microorganisms causing MK, through a better understanding of the corneal and ocular surface microbiome in health and disease. \n\nFirstly, I will set up an experimental model of corneal infection in the laboratory. This is needed to determine how well the sampling method (CIM) and the processing methods correctly identify eyes with and without MK. Alongside this, I will run a clinical study in which I will collect samples using the CIM from the affected and unaffected eyes of patients presenting with MK to St Paul's Eye Unit, Liverpool. Participants with no history of MK will be recruited to a control arm of the study.\n\nIn order to identify the organisms present, samples will be processed using three techniques: 1) conventional diagnostic culture, a technique used to multiply microorganisms through reproduction in predetermined culture medium; 2) polymerase chain reaction, a technique used to amplify small quantities of microorganism DNA and 3) next-generation sequencing, a technique used to detect all organisms in a sample.\n\nMy research will significantly benefit MK patients both nationally and internationally by increasing current understanding of corneal sample results and facilitating the potential future use of next-generation sequencing in routine ophthalmic clinical practice. Next-generation sequencing produces personalised results in a matter of hours compared to 3 days for conventional diagnostic culture. This allows the most appropriate antimicrobial therapy to be selected, potentially reducing MK disease duration and the risk of blindness. This is particularly important where it is not possible to monitor patients closely.","funder_award_id":"MR/S022104/1","funder":{"id":"https://openalex.org/F4320334626","display_name":"Medical Research Council","doi":"10.13039/501100000265"},"funded_outputs":["https://openalex.org/W2948892641","https://openalex.org/W3215256801","https://openalex.org/W4200428690","https://openalex.org/W4395052498"],"funded_outputs_count":4,"parent_awards":[],"sub_awards":[],"sub_awards_count":0,"amount":252503.0,"currency":"GBP","amount_usd":307606.56,"amount_usd_basis":"daily_rate","recipients":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I146655781","display_name":"University of Liverpool","ror":"https://ror.org/04xs57h96","country_code":"GB","roles":["lead"],"share":null,"basis":"affiliation_matcher","asserted_by":"funder"}],"recipient_countries":[{"country_code":"GB","share":1.0,"amount_usd":307606.56,"basis":"organisation_location"}],"recipient_regions":[],"research_scope":{"is_research":true,"basis":"funder_default","tier":1},"funding_type":"fellowship","funder_scheme":null,"start_date":"2019-08-06","end_date":"2026-07-02","start_year":2019,"end_year":2026,"landing_page_url":"https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR/S022104/1","doi":null,"provenance":"gateway_to_research","lead_investigator":null,"co_lead_investigator":null,"investigators":null,"works_api_url":"https://api.openalex.org/works?filter=awards.id:G6077975921","primary_topic":{"id":"https://openalex.org/T11826","display_name":"Ocular Infections and Treatments","score":0.9867,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/2731","display_name":"Ophthalmology"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/27","display_name":"Medicine"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/4","display_name":"Health Sciences"}},"topics":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/T11826","display_name":"Ocular Infections and Treatments","score":0.9867,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/2731","display_name":"Ophthalmology"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/27","display_name":"Medicine"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/4","display_name":"Health Sciences"}}],"institution_awarded":[],"updated_date":"2026-11-03T03:01:00.000Z","created_date":"2026-07-13T04:25:00.000Z"}