MSc Biotechnology - Quality Management Systems moduleGMP/GLP

Management of a Training Network to Understand and Exploit Mechanisms of Sensory Perception in Bacteria Located in Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UK.The PATHSENSE (Pathogen Sensing) ETN investigates the molecular mechanisms of sensory perception in bacterial pathogens. Rapid and sensitive systems to sense and respond to environmental changes are a cornerstone of a bacterium’s survival apparatus, and understanding these sensory systems is central to predicting their behaviour. The success of bacterial pathogens is underpinned by their ability to sense their environment in order to protect themselves and then to deploy their virulence mechanisms at the appropriate time. A deep knowledge of how their first line of defence (sensory perception) functions is a vital step in developing strategies to subvert their survival apparatus, and ultimately to preventing human, animal and plant infections. The overall objective of this project is to focus on understanding a highly sophisticated but poorly understood sensory organelle called the “stressosome”. The relationship between molecular structures and biological function is central to understanding any living system; however the research methodologies required to unravel these relationships are often complex and fast-changing. The PATHSENSE Network will recruit and train 13 early stage researchers (ESRs) in state-of-the art methodologies, including structural biology, proteomics & protein biochemistry, molecular biology, bacterial genetics, food microbiology, mathematical modelling, cell biology, microscopy and comparative genomics. This inter-sectoral Network comprises 8 leading Universities, 1 public research institution, 4 companies (from spin-off to large multi-national) and 1 governmental agency. A major objective of this Network will be to exploit the fundamental research to develop novel antimicrobial treatments that have applications in the food and public health sectors.

Pandemic Risk and Emergency Management, PANDEM (Grant Agreement number: 652868), is a Coordination and Support action funded by the Horizon 2020 Secure Societies Programme (H2020-DRS-2014/2015) under the topic: Crisis management 4: Feasibility study for strengthening capacity-building for health and security protection in case of large-scale pandemics – Phase I Demo. Research on the action began in September 2015 and the project has an 18 month implementation plan.

Successful project management of a Horizon 2020 Marie Sklowdowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) ITN proposal submitted to the European Commission in January 2016. A proposal for ca. 4 million Euro was prepared involving 14 partners from seven European countries. Participants include the world’s largest multinational food and beverage company Néstle, eight European Universities, the Spanish research centre CNB, three SMEs Natac, Nizo, Aquila and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Laboratory Manager and Senior Postdoctoral Scientist at the Nucleic Acid Diagnostics Research Group (NADRL), Microbiology at NUI Galway. I was a lead scientist working on RiDRTI (https://www.rid-rti.eu ), an EU funded project (FP7). In addition, as Laboratory manager I was involved in the direction and management of diverse research and ongoing projects (e.g. infectious disease diagnostics, breast cancer marker biodiscovery, detection of low level water contamination etc.) as well as day to day running of the Laboratory. For the past ten years I have been focused on the field of molecular diagnostics, designing and developing tests for the rapid detection of important human pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa) for the purpose of commercialization. I have worked closely with both academia and industry. [Rapid Identification of Respiratory Tract Infections (RiD-RTI) represents a unique partnership of SMEs, universities and hospitals from four European countries,NADRL at NUI Galway, University College London, the French diagnostic company Genewave, the Finnish Biotech company Mobidiag. The aim was to develop diagnostic products for the rapid diagnosis of Respiratory Tract Infections, based on a novel “sample-in, result-out” technology platform. Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) are amongst the top four major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Speed and accuracy are key to appropriate therapy and survival of the patient. The ultimate objective is to develop new cost effective, user friendly products that will be routinely used in hospitals, replacing time-consuming, and labor-intensive methods so that a diagnosis will be achieved within hours (<2 hrs), instead of days or weeks.]

Development of a new sample to answer platform for rapid and sensitive diagnosis of a number of infectious diseases, hospital acquired infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Designing developing and validating a suite of bacterial, fungal and protozoan nucleic acid diagnostic assays. Manage the delivery of key project components at various stages of the development.

A commercial R&D project developing nucleic acid diagnostic tests for fungal sepsis. My position as post-doctoral researcher was based in DNA Diagnostics Lab at the National Diagnostics Centre at NUIG. I worked on a collaborative commercial R&D project developing nucleic acid diagnostic tests for clinically relevant fungal pathogens based on a proprietary platform target technology invented at NUIG. Because of the commercial nature of the research, confidentiality agreements meant that the work could not be published in peer reviewed journals. The commercial partner (multinational In Vitro Diagnostic Company) cannot be disclosed. In this period however, significant discoveries were made and four patent applications were filed in 2009. Project deliverables were met and transferred to the company for further development and commercialisation. • Generation and analysis of sequences and design of oligonucleotides for assay development and patent application• Sequence analysis and design and development of diagnostics assays • Collaboration and interaction with industrial research partners• Milestones were achieved and written and oral reports prepared and presented regularly• Time spent on site with commercial partners for final work up and technology transfer