Helen Smith, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Current projects involve developing nutritional prevention strategies to combat the transmission and prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We endeavour to explore innovative solutions to reduce the spread of AMR microorganisms. Such fundamental research has resulted in the development of unique insights into scientific areas with global importance to food safety and security.

Ireland

For many years bacterial problems were alleviated with the inclusion of antibiotics in the animals’ feed. An increase in antibiotic resistant organisms in hospitals, as well as consumer concern about antibiotic residues in food supply has led to government bans of the use of antibiotics as growth promoters. Additionally, on-farm infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are more difficult and take longer time to cure, and consequently result in higher rates of disability and death. Therefore, alternative strategies that promote animal health without negatively affecting the world’s food supply are required. Specialities: Kirby-Bauer susceptibility techniques (diffusion and macrodilution techniques), proteomic analysis, microbial biomass and metabolites, quantitative real-time PCR.

The objective of this research was to examine fermentation processes as a means for production of bioactive and nutritional functional compounds. Natural products, either isolated as pure products or used as standardised extracts, provide limitless opportunities for novel additives and drug treatments because of their unmatched range of biochemical diversity. The title of my thesis was "Production of antimicrobials and antioxidants from filamentous fungi".Specialities: Fermentation Technologies (SLF & SSF), Acid Hydrolysis, Compositional Analysis by HPLC, Bioactive Component Extraction, Bacterial Adhesion, Agar Well Diffusion, Antioxidant Activity Assays, Phenolic Component Identification and Quantification by UPLC-DAD, Bioautography, Solid Phase Extraction, Lipid Extraction and Fatty Acid Compositional analysis by LCMS and Fatty Acid Identification and Quantification using GCMS.

Ireland

DNA extraction and fingerprinting.Identification of yeast strains using PCR, amplification of highly variable repeat sequences, which lead to generation of a unique fingerprint.Specialities: PCR, PCR purification, preparation of yeast genomic DNA, Agarose gel electrophoresis, amongst others.During this time period I also worked with Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). This involved product discrimination analysis, providing technical support to the European sales force.

Dunboyne, Leinster, Ireland

Development and optimisation of a sensitive extraction assay for the quantification of yeast cell wall material β-(1, 3)-D-mannose in yeast free poultry feed.Specialities: Optimisation and validation of a protein extraction assay, western blots, microarrays – ELISA, PCR, amongst others.

Alltech Advanced Management Development Program (Mba)

Cpd Certificate In Statistical Inference And Modelling, Probability Models And Statistical Inference & Statistical Applications

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Biology

Production of antimicrobials antioxidants from filamentous fungi

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Genetics And Cell Biology