Microbiology and Infection

These studies use in vitro and in vivo (Galleria mellonella) infection models to understand chronic wound infection, sexually transmitted infections, respiratory tract infections, persistent viral infection, and other clinically relevant infections.

Rebecca Aicheler’s work aims to understand how human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) modulates the natural killer (NK) cell response.  HCMV is a risk to unborn foetuses and a major cause of congenital malformation. Lauren Jones, a PhD student working within group is currently investigating the role of HCMV-encoded IL-10 (v-IL-10) in kidney transplant patients

Human cytomegalovirus UL141 prevents NK cells from binding to CD155 and the NK cell is inhibited.

Mike Beeton’s research focuses on understanding the role mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas play in human health and disease, characterising their mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, understanding their role in preterm birth and respiratory tract infections. 

Biofilm formation by Ureaplasma parvum when grown under flow conditions.

Sarah Maddocks investigates interactions between pathogens in co-cultured biofilms using an in vitro chronic wound biofilm model.  This work aims to understand differential colonisation, altered virulence, and the impact these have on progression of infection.  Sarah also studies the role of small colony variant bacteria including how they persist in chronic infection.

Impaired healing of human keratinocytes exposed to Staphylococcus aureus.

This research investigates natural and synthetic approaches to address the ongoing problem of antimicrobial resistance.

Mike Beeton is investigating the use of bacteriophage isolated from the environment to tackle infection caused by clinically relevant pathogens.  These studies have expanded to include the design of targeted interventions against mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas.

James Blaxland’s research focuses on the use of ozone to decontaminate the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes from both food and food preparation areas. Working with a number of ozone device manufacturers, James is identifying a standard method for determining ozone efficacy within a range of environments. James is also screening and characterising a range of natural materials including honey and hops to determine their antimicrobial potential. His research interests span both clinical and food microbiology.

Paul Livingstone’s work aims to identify predatory microorganisms with untapped biosynthetic potential.  Such microorganisms consume prey microbes through the secretion of antimicrobial substances, and could be used to combat numerous clinically relevant pathogens.

Sarah Maddocks works with Mike to investigate the use of bacteriophage to disrupt polymicrobial biofilm in combination with systemic antibiotics, in an in vitro chronic wound biofilm model.  This model is similarly used to test novel topical antimicrobial dressings and gels.

Testing antimicrobials in an in vitro chronic wound biofilm model.

Paul Livingstone uses next generation sequencing and contemporary genomic analysis to identify and characterise environmental bacteria with metabolic potential that could be exploited for the degradation of pollutants.  Paul has also identified new taxa of predatory microorganisms of various genera and is investigating the genomic basis for predation.

Paul is also working with Sarah to understand the genomic basis of the small colony variant phenotype, as well as metagenomic analysis of chronic infected wounds.