Dr Terry Bilverstone

Terry Bilverstone is a Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences (Clinical Microbiology) at the School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences. He was awarded his PhD on the virulence of Clostridioides difficile, in 2019 from the University of Nottingham, UK. His research focuses on the application of synthetic biology techniques, to genetically engineer anaerobic bacteria. Terry spent nine years at The Synthetic Biology Research Centre, University of Nottingham, working on clostridial pathogens, before joining The Open University in October 2023.

Anaerobes in Medicine (AiM Lab)

Terry is the principal investigator of the Anaerobes in Medicine (AiM Lab) which is equipped with a class-leading A95 Anaerobic Workstation (Don Whitley Scientific). This equipment facilitates the manipulation of microorganisms under strictly controlled anaerobic conditions. 

At the AiM Lab, we develop alternative antimicrobial agents for combatting Clostridioides difficile infection. We research the function and genetic regulation of clostridial toxins, in order to direct the development of anti-virulence strategies thereto. We also conduct research into the genetic engineering of bacteriophages (phages), to enhance their potential as therapeutic agents for treating Clostridioides difficile infection. 

In 2025, we began research endeavours, seeking to deploy clostridia as therapeutics for the treatment of advanced cancers. 

Editorial

Terry is a Junior Editor for Letters in Applied Microbiology - a flagship journal of Applied Microbiology International. 

Research interests

The AiM Lab have several ongoing research themes:

1) Understanding C. difficile toxin biology and inhibiting toxin activity.

2) Developing genetically enhanced bacteriophage therapies to treat C. difficile infection. 

4) Developing clostridial chasses as therapeutics for advanced cancers.  

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Research Studentship Opportunities

I am a registered prospective supervisor for the BBSRC/NERC ILESLA Doctoral Landscape Award. 

My work aligns with the core ILESLA research themes:

1 - Animal and Human Health - Clostridial pathogens of humans and animals (C. difficile, C. perfringens) and novel therapeutics theretoward. 

2 - Rules of Life - Microbiology of anaerobic pathogens and their bacteriophages. 

3 - Transformative technologies - Synthetic biology and Engineering biology. 

Please contact me to discuss potential projects.

Teaching interests

Clinical microbiology

Molecular microbiology

Infection biology

Antimicrobial resistance 

OU Modules

S290 Investigating human health and disease (module presentation 23J, 24J).

S291 Clinical laboratory diagnostics (module production and presentation 25J).