Jessica Gaffney's PhD study will examine how the host-derived lipid mediator RvD5_{n-3 DPA} regulates the behaviour of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Her  project investigates how RvD5_{n-3 DPA} reprograms P. gingivalis, and affects biofilm formation, interactions with surrounding oral microbiota, and inflammatory responses in the host. Jessica's research seeks to clarify how host immune mediators shift P. gingivalis from a pathogenic to a more benign state, to help understand how inflammation shapes host-microbe interactions in health and disease. She will be working with Dr Magdalena Flak and Dr James Garnett.