Odour-Based Detection and Discrimination of Microorganisms: Integrating Electronic Nose Technologies with Machine Learning

• Funding – BBSRC funded 4 year studentship, providing tuition fees, training/research costs and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate, currently £21,805
• Start Date – September 2027
• Applicants are expected to have a degree (equivalent of Honours or Masters) in a relevant discipline 

Planet Earth is estimated to harbour up to one trillion microbial species [1]. Collectively, these microorganisms encode an enormous diversity of genes, many of which produce enzymes with unique metabolic capabilities. A single individual human microbiome (community of bacteria) contains over 46 million unique bacterial genes in the gut alone [2]. Many microbial enzymes metabolise carbohydrates, amino acids, and fatty acids to generate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, aromatic compounds, and heterocyclic molecules. Increasing evidence suggests that bacteria, including important human pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa produce characteristic VOC profiles [3] that can serve as diagnostic signatures. We have found that machine learning (ML) can further advance this area to distinguish two bacteria such as P. aeruginosa and Escherichia coli based on their VOCs. 

This PhD project will make use of gas chromatography mass spectrometry approach to (i) identify VOCs of upto 50 pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria and (ii) utilise ML approach to discriminate them. Subsequently the student will utilise an electronic nose, from our industry partner, to detect and isolate various bacteria based on the VOC signature pattern and ML [4]. 

This PhD project is interdisciplinary and will provide opportunity to learn and utilise various tools and skills at the interface of microbiology, gas chromatography, sensing and machine learning. The student will also be provided transferrable skills training at University of Dundee, opportunities to network with scientific community and          industry, and mentoring support throughout their PhD and during future career progression. 

This CASE-EASTBIO PhD studentship brings together the University of Dundee (Faculty of Life Sciences) with PES Technologies Ltd who deliver cutting-edge soil analysis technology.

References

1. 10.1073/pnas.1521291113 

2. 10.1016/j.chom.2019.07.008

3. 10.15252/embj.2020106938

4. 10.1016/j.microc.2025.113638

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to   make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening    access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.