We work out how pathogens interact with their hosts, then design proteins that intervene.
The lab combines structural biology and de novo protein design to study host-pathogen interactions, currently focused on plant immune receptors and targets in neglected tropical disease.
Recent moments
BBSRC NEEDL PhD Studentship
2 Nov 2026Now recruiting: a four-year BBSRC NEEDL PhD on designer proteins for synthetic immune signalling in plants, co-supervised with Dr Marc Knight (Durham) and Dr Tom Howard (Newcastle). Apply by 24 November 2026.
Details and how to apply →
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Celebrate Science 2026
Oct 2026With the Centre for Programmable Biological Matter at Durham University's Celebrate Science festival at Locomotion, Shildon, introducing families to proteins, DNA and nanobiotechnology.
About Celebrate Science →
2026 Plant Journal Fellowship
7 Oct 2026Adam Bentham has been named one of three 2026 TPJ Fellows by The Plant Journal, alongside Martina Legris (University of Neuchâtel) and Furong Liu (Peking University).
Read the editorial →
Fully funded Gatsby Sainsbury PhD Studentship
30 Sep 2026Now recruiting: a fully funded four-year Gatsby Sainsbury PhD on AI-designed synthetic plant immune receptors. Apply by 27 November 2026.
Details and how to apply →
Protecting crops by targeting pathogen weaknesses
23 Sep 2026Our Plant Journal review on sequence-unrelated but structurally similar (SUSS) effectors and AI-based approaches to crop protection, featured in Durham University news.
Read the story → · Read the review →
BIONANO 2026
2 Sep 2026Delegates at BIONANO 2026, the sixth biennial meeting on artificial biological nanomachines, hosted by the Centre for Programmable Biological Matter in Durham.
Conference details →
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Visit to Fundecitrus
10 Aug 2026Visited Fundecitrus in Araraquara, Brazil with Elaine Fitches — a chance to see one of the world's leading citrus disease research programmes up close.
fundecitrus.com.br →
New preprint online!
10 Jul 2026Computational design of de novo integrated domains enables rational control of pathogen effector recognition in plant NLR immune receptors.
Read the preprint →
Congratulations, Greg!
29 Apr 2026Best Poster at the Durham Biosciences Awayday.
Rank Prize New Lecturer Award
6 Jan 2026Awarded to Adam Bentham. Funding a new approach to crop protection: AI-designed immune receptors that adapt as pathogens evolve.
Read more →Latest updates
BBSRC NEEDL PhD Studentship
Now recruiting: a four-year BBSRC NEEDL PhD on designer proteins for synthetic immune signalling in plants, co-supervised with Dr Marc Knight (Durham) and Dr Tom Howard (Newcastle). Apply by 24 November 2026.
Details and how to apply →2026 Plant Journal Fellowship
Adam Bentham has been named one of three 2026 TPJ Fellows by The Plant Journal, alongside Martina Legris (University of Neuchâtel) and Furong Liu (Peking University).
Read the editorial →Fully funded Gatsby Sainsbury PhD Studentship
Now recruiting: a fully funded four-year Gatsby Sainsbury PhD on AI-designed synthetic plant immune receptors. Apply by 27 November 2026.
Details and how to apply →Preprint: de novo integrated domains for plant NLR immune receptors
Xi, Bucknell, Watson et al. describe de novo designed binders integrated into the Pikm-1 NLR chassis against the pathogen effector FoSSP17, with crystal structures confirming side-chain accuracy. The work shows binding and signal relay can be separable properties of an integrated domain.
Read more on the Publications page →Focused Review published in The Plant Journal
With Gregory Knight and Jonathan Heddle, on SUSS effector families and surface frustration as a route to broad-spectrum resistance.
doi.org/10.1111/tpj.70971 →Bentham Lab opens at Durham University
Adam Bentham joins the Department of Biosciences as Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Centre for Programmable Biological Matter.