What Drives the Facets of Parkinson's Disease (PD): A Host Microbiome Interaction Approach from Specific Gastrointestinal Pathogens to Microbial Kingdoms

This PhD research opportunity focuses on understanding the complex interactions between host and microbiota that result in adverse effects on gut and brain in Parkinson's Disease (PD). The research examines gastrointestinal microbial predictors of individual, objectively-measured disease facets, recognising that different PD facets may have different drivers. The project aims to take a trans-kingdom approach, incorporating mycobiome and protozome into existing bacteriome data sets. The research builds on work showing gastric Helicobacter pylori and zoonotic Helicobacter species as pathophysiological drivers of PD. The project aims to pinpoint an individual's position within an aetiopathogenic model for potential drivers and mediators, predict their trajectory, and recognise opportunities for disease-modifying intervention. The emerging picture describes clinical phenotype by deficits in microbial metabolites essential to gut health, intestinal inflammation, and a systemic inflammatory response syndrome.