Philip Butcher

Philip Butcher is Professor of Molecular Medical Microbiology at St George's, University of London, affiliated with the Infection and Immunity Research Institute. His research focuses on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, employing pathogen genomics and molecular microbiology approaches to study TB pathogenesis, drug resistance mechanisms, and diagnostic innovations.

Research Interests: Professor Butcher investigates bacterial survival mechanisms in macrophages, metabolic persister phenotypes in TB, and develops whole-genome sequencing applications for antibiotic resistance profiling and molecular epidemiology. His collaborative projects include international clinical trials for novel TB drugs and point-of-care diagnostic systems.

Articles Focus: Recent publications emphasize tuberculosis diagnostics innovations (microfluidic technologies, RPA assays), genomic analysis of drug resistance mechanisms, and optimizing therapeutic regimens for pulmonary TB.

Grants & Collaborations:

• QuantuMDx: Development of point-of-care TB diagnostics (Innovate UK funded)
• MRC project: Persister populations in TB therapy (with University of Leicester)
• RIFASHORT international trial: New antibiotic combinations

Teaching: Delivers lectures on microbiology, infection, antibiotics, vaccines, and global health diseases across medical and scientific curricula at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Modules include Global Health Disease for BSc/iBSc and MSc programs.