Nick Jakubovics

Biography

Nick Jakubovics graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1994 with a First Class Honours BSc in Natural Sciences (Biochemistry). His PhD at Warwick University involved studying the growth of biofilms in tap water drinking distribution systems. This work investigated the basic physiological switches that control the ability of microorganisms to growth in either a biofilm or a planktonic (free-living) state. Nick then spent six years as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Prof. Howard Jenkinson’s lab at the University of Bristol. During this time, Nick identified a novel manganese-dependent regulator in the oral bacterium Streptococcus gordonii, and established a heterologous cell surface protein expression system for characterising streptococcal cell surface adhesins. Between 2004-2007, Nick worked on an NIH Fellowship in Dr Paul Kolenbrander’s lab at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. Here, he studied gene regulation in oral bacteria during the formation of mixed-species communities. In 2007, Nick secured a lectureship in Oral Microbiology at Newcastle University School of Dental Sciences, where he has set up an active research laboratory focused on elucidating how microorganisms interact with one another during the early steps of dental plaque accumulation. He also has a number of applied projects aimed at inhibiting dental plaque formation and controlling oral diseases.

Research Interest

 Genomics, Biomediacl Sciences