Professor Alistair Darby
Co-Director of the Centre for Genomic Research
Alistair Darby is a director of the CGR and a Professor in genomics at the University of Liverpool. Current and past projects include work with academic and industrial partners in the microbiome areas of domesticated animals, insect pests and disease vectors and human microbiomes from a number of life stages, body sites and sample types.
An important part of Alistair’s approach to microbiome science is his understanding of the full experimental design from sample collection, sequencing and the subsequent analysis, this holistic approach allows for well-designed studies and solid scientific outcomes.
Professor Soraya Shirazi-Beechey
Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biochemistry
The Epithelial Function and Development Group, led by Professor Soraya Shirazi-Beechey, are interested in comparative aspects of gut microbiota in both animals and humans, with specific interests including mechanisms underlying:
- Sensing of luminal nutrients, microbes and microbial products by the gut epithelium, downstream signalling and impact on host physiology
- Influences of diet and dietary supplements on composition, activity and function of the gut microbiota
- The mode of action of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics.
Professor George Oikonomou
Professor of Cattle Health and Welfare
George has extensive experience designing and conducting field studies. George is currently studying dairy cattle lameness using “omics” approaches. For his ongoing research, he has established a close collaboration with several commercial dairy farms. The overarching objective of his research is the improvement of the welfare of dairy cattle and of the sustainability of dairy farms.
Professor Nicola Williams
Professor of Bacterial Zoonotic Disease
Nicola's main interest is on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and optimising antimicrobial use to minimise the selection and transmission of AMR to protect animal and public health, and food security. Current work combines fieldwork, in vitro models and in vivo infection work in the UK and India in poultry to determine the impact of different antimicrobial treatment regimens on the microbiome and resistome using cultural and next generation sequencing approaches.
Professor Mark Viney
Professor of Zoology and Head of Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour
Mark's research centres on the infection biology of mammals. Specific areas of active research include investigating what controls the assembly of the gut microbiome of wild animals, as well as what extrinsic and intrinsic factors drive the immune responses of wild animals. Mark's work and expertise provides key insights into wild animals’ infection biology and immunology, thereby underpinning a more complete understanding of the ecology of infection.
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