Emma Layton

My PhD in Microbiology was a split-site degree between the University of Manchester and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Singapore. During my PhD, I developed and validated a novel, non-invasive method for studying intestinal disease through faecal microRNA sequencing. I gained expertise in genomics, RNA biology, parasitology, and microbiome research.

In 2024, I joined the Powrie Lab to investigate the role of the intestinal microbiome in intestinal disease, with a particular focus on how gut bacteria contribute to inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. In 2026, I also joined the Manchester–Oxford Centre of Research Excellence to study how viral exposure may influence the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease. My current research integrates in vivo models, primary immune cell culture, intestinal organoids, imaging and flow cytometry to provide a comprehensive and mechanistic understanding of host–microbe interactions in intestinal inflammation.