Research
Evolution and genomics of infectious disease
Paterson is a population geneticist working primarily on genetic diversity in host-parasite interactions. He was one of the first to apply next-generation sequencing to experimental evolution, and demonstrated that co-evolution between hosts and parasites accelerated rates of molecular evolution. He has worked on field, clinical and experimental systems, including wild rodent immune systems, liver fluke and the development of anitmicrobial resistance in chronic clinical infections.
Environmental genomics
Paterson is a director for the NERC Environmental Omics Facility (NEOF) and a director of the Centre for Genomic Research at Liverpool. This role provides expert advice and delivery of genomics and bioinformatics to the environmental community in the UK, particularly on non-model organisms, environmental samples and for ecological and evolutionary research. It has also allowed novel methods for genomic surveillence of pathogens in wastewater.
Microbiome science
Paterson established the Microbiome Innovation Centre, which draws together researchers across University of Liverpool with an interest in fundamental, animal or clinical aspects of microbiome research. It also engages with industry to match academic expertise and facilities with industrial partners. This is clearly exemplified by work with Unilever plc to understand microbiomes in the context of personal care and the development of novel products to enhance consumer health and well-being.
PhD projects may be available in any of these areas. Please contact Paterson directly.
Infectious disease genomics
Paterson is a population geneticist working primarily on genetic diversity in host-parasite interactions. He was one of the first to apply next-generation sequencing to experimental evolution, and demonstrated that co-evolution between hosts and parasites accelerated rates of molecular evolution. He has worked on field, clinical and experimental systems and leads a NERC large grant of £3.2m to study immunological variation in the wild.
Environmental Genomics
Paterson is a node director for the NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility (NBAF) and a director of the Centre for Genomic Research at Liverpool. This role provides expert advice and delivery of genomics and bioinformatics to the environmental community in the UK, particularly on non-model organisms, environmental samples and for ecological and evolutionary research.
Research grants
Enabling Population-Scale Genomics insights using high-throughput, robotic liquid handling at the Centre for Genomic Research
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
August 2024 - July 2025
CF- TRAILFINDER (CF- TRAILFINDER)
CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST (UK)
December 2024 - November 2029
NERC Environmental Omics Facility (Renewal)
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2024 - March 2031
NovaseqX at Centre for Genomics Research
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
August 2023 - July 2024
Integrating clinical, data-driven and in-vitro approaches to the study of host-pathogen interactions in bovine digital dermatitis
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2023 - July 2026
KTP between The University of Liverpool and Unilever U.K. Central Resources Limited
INNOVATE UK (UK), UNILEVER PLC (UK)
January 2023 - March 2025
Experimental coevolution in microbial communities
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2021 - July 2025
Bench Fees - Liu Yuchen
CHINA SCHOLARSHIP COUNCIL (CSC)(CHINA) 🚩
October 2021 - September 2024
Sars-CoV-2 Genomic surveillance through wastewater
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
May 2021 - September 2023
Long read sequencing from low input DNA/RNA samples
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2020 - July 2021
COVID-19 Genomics UK
PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND (UK), UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
April 2020 - March 2023
ADAPT
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
September 2019 - March 2022
The exposure of urban rodents to the human COVID-19 virus and the potential for viral recombination
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2020 - September 2021
The genetic basis of reproductive isolation through intragenomic conflict
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2019 - February 2023
How is behaviour constrained within typical sex roles?
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2020 - January 2024
Ecological drivers of intragenomic conflict resolution
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
February 2018 - October 2021
Vaccines for animal parasites (PARAGONE)
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
October 2016 - March 2019
Impacts of climate-driven evolution on plant-soil interactions and ecosystem functioning
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
September 2017 - May 2021
Mechanisms for acquisition and transmission of successful antibiotic resistant pneumococcal clones pre- and post-vaccination
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2017 - September 2021
Community evolution in soil
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2017 - March 2021
Genetic factors contributing to White Nose Syndrome tolerance in North American and European Myotis-bats -EVOLWNS
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
November 2016 - October 2018
Advanced 'omic analyses in the natural environment
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2016 - March 2017
Genetic and molecular basis of triclabendazole resistance in Fasciola hepatica
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
March 2017 - September 2021
Limits to Adaptation
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
May 2016 - September 2021
The NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility (NBAF) at the University of Liverpool 2014-15 - Main Budget
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2016 - March 2018
Immunodynamics and Infectious disease risk in the natural environment
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
February 2015 - July 2020
Research collaborations
Prof D Williams
Helminth infection
Prof JE Hodgkinson
Helminth genomics
Prof C Winstanley
Pseudomonas infection
Dr S Plaistow
Prof M Brockhurst
University of Sheffield
Experimental evolution
Prof J Bradley
University of Nottingham
Prof G Hurst
Supervise PhD student, analysis of microarray data
Prof ME Begon
Co-investigator Wellcome grant, zoonotic disease Co-supervisor NERc quota studentship (Stephanie Gebert)
Prof J Hurst
Co-supervisor PhD student (Amy Sherborne)
Prof M Boots
University of California at Berkeley
Evolutionary Biology