Pathogen genomics clinical and veterinary important infections.

Research fellow in pathogen genome evolution.

The Milner Genomics Centre provides genome sequencing and analysis for evolution research.

Managing CLIMB consortium activities

Project managing Swansea based sequencing projects

Our database of sequenced Campylobacter and Staphylococci isolates enables us to compare large amounts of isolate data to form evolutionary theories which can then be tested in our lab. My particular areas of interest include the ability of isolates to form biofilm, oxygen tolerance and the general stress response that equips certain isolates for increased persistence / survival during transmission and infection. Soon we hope to add the genomic data of more clinically isolated bacterial species to our database through links with the nearby Singleton hospital.

We developed the first model for enriching and resuscitating dormant Staphylococcus aureus cells in order to investigate their role in chronic infection and improve the efficacy of antibiotic treatment. We are investigating the effect of resuscitation on enhancing killing with conventional antibiotics. Success would enable us to improve existing antibiotic regimens by using adjuncts to enhance susceptibility in clinical contexts involving persistence. This would allow shorter antibiotic courses and fewer treatment failures.

For my DPhil I studied the role of the zinc uptake regulator, Zur, in modulation of ribosome structure and function under stress conditions in Streptomyces coelicolor. Under conditions of zinc limitation S. coelicolor can replace several ribosomal proteins with paralogous versions of ribosomal proteins which differ in their potential to bind structural zinc. Considering the large abundance of ribosomes within the cell this could free up zinc for use in other cellular processes. The lack of cysteine residues in these alternative ribosomal proteins also prevents the formation of di-sulphide bonds under periods of oxidative stress (Owen et al, 2007). We were able to identify Zur as a regulator of zinc uptake, controlling zinc uptake. Microarrays identified further Zur targets including a cluster of genes predicted to direct synthesis of an uncharacterized siderophore-related non-ribosomally encoded peptide designated coelibactin. This may be the first example of a zinc-chelating siderophore-like protein (Kallifidas et al, 2010).

Work involved purification of antibodies for use in medical diagnostic kits by affinity chromatography. Responsibilites included ensuring that sufficient quantity of product was available and that quality control standards were met. We were also encouraged to perform small research projects to develop and improve production methods.