Research
Research Interest 1
Current main projects:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) and keratitis:
Development of diagnostic probes for Liverpool CF epidemic strain (LES) and other epidemic strains; Molecular typing of CF isolates from Liverpool and other CF units, and of eye infection isolates from across the UK; Identification of additional virulence factors in LES; Genomics and infection models to characterise genes in the LES; Analysis of P. aeruginosa population divergence and evolution in CF; Genome sequence of a keratitis isolate; Population biology of keratitis isolates; Distribution of virulence genes amongst CF and ulcerative keratitis isolates. Funding from Wellcome Trust, Dr Hadwen Trust and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in Microbial Diseases.
Uropathogenic E.coli (UPEC) interactions with the host.
Characterising E. coli interactions with human and rat ureters. Identification of genes implicated in such interactions. Genomics of epidemiologically important UPEC. Funding from Wellcome Trust and Mersey Kidney Research.
Genetic variation in Campylobacter spp. isolates / Campylobacter in the environment
Identification of strain variations using subtractive hybridisation, microarrays and genome sequencing. Molecular epidemiology of Campylobacter. Funding from joint research councils (MRC, BBSRC, NERC, ESRC) as part of the Environment & Social Ecology of Human Infectious Diseases initiative.
Research grants
BRONCH-UK a multicentre and multidisciplinary partnership grant tackling unmet needs in bronchiectasis.
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
August 2014 - July 2019
Investigating bacteria-induced Wnt signalling as a mechanism for malignant development in the gut epithelium.
NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH FUND
September 2013 - September 2016
Evaluation of novel therapies targeting adhesive/invasive E.Coli
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
November 2007 - March 2012
Multi-centre cross Pseudomonas cross-infection study.
CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION (UK)
August 2014 - July 2015
Sources, Seasonality, Transmission and Control: Campylobacter and human behaviour in a changing environment (ESEI)
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2012 - December 2017
ARCHIE - Early antibiotic use in ‘at risk’ children with influenza
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
October 2012 - September 2020
Comparative genomics of UK Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis isolates to identify links between genotypic and clinical characteristics.
FIGHT FOR SIGHT (UK)
September 2014 - November 2015
Detection of minority strains of HIV harbouring drug resistance.
ROYAL LIVERPOOL AND BROADGREEN UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST (UK)
October 2002 - September 2005
Clinical Exploitation of Data Produced by the Pseudomonas International Genomics Consortium.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST (UK)
October 2013 - September 2016
Ocular Mucins and infections of the Eye.
ROYAL LIVERPOOL AND BROADGREEN UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST (UK)
April 2006 - January 2008
Characterisation of a type III secretion system in the Burkholderia cepacia complex.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST (UK)
October 2003 - September 2005
Response of populations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to antimicrobial challenge during chronic infections in cystic fibrosis.
HADWEN TRUST, DR FOR HUMANE RESEARCH
October 2008 - January 2012
Veterinary Pathogen Genomics – One Genome for every 50 years of the RCVS Trust
ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS TRUST (RCVS) - (UK)
July 2008 - June 2011
Genetic diversity and evolution of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis patients
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
August 2011 - July 2015
Molecular studies of Burkholderia pseudomallei pathogenesis.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
January 2000 - June 2003
Novel approaches to the analysis of how uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC)-urothelium interactions impair ureteric function
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2011 - March 2013
Understanding the role of temperate bacteriophages in the ecology and evolution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the cystic fibrosis lung environment
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
November 2009 - October 2012
The role of mucosa-associated cnf1-expressing Escherichia coli on colorectal tumour development and progression
NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH FUND
May 2006 - April 2008
Identification of emerging epidemic strains of pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis centres in the Liverpool area
ROYAL LIVERPOOL AND BROADGREEN UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST (UK)
September 2010 - September 2011
Virulent epidemic strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
October 2008 - April 2012
The role of type III secretion in Burkholderia cepacia pathogenesis in cystic fibrosis.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST (UK)
March 2000 - June 2002
Use of Subtractive Hybridisation to Identify Novel Genomic Regions of an Epidemic Strain of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST (UK)
March 2002 - September 2005
Identifying the molecular mechanisms of interaction between colonic Crohn's disease mucosa-associated Escherichia coli and the intestinal epithelium
NAT ASSOC FOR COLITIS & CROHNS DISEASE (UK)
May 2008 - April 2010
Use of artificial sputum medium to study antimicrobial susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm populations of relevance to cystic fibrosis
NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS UK LTD (UK)
May 2010 - October 2010
How does bacterial infection cause ureteric dysfunction and contribute to kidney damage.
MERSEY KIDNEY FIRST (UK)
October 2008 - October 2011
Investing the contribution of mucosa-associated Escherichia coli isolated from colon cancer on tumour development and progression.
NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH FUND
May 2005 - April 2006
Origins transmission pathways and emergence of human campylobacter infections (Campylobacter).
DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (UK)
April 2004 - December 2009
Contact-network studies between dogs, and between dogs and humans.
VETERINARY LABORATORIES AGENCY (UK)
October 2004 - April 2008
UK CF Microbiology Consortium - Programme 1: Genetic Factors contributing to the success of CF 'superbugs' in the United Kingdom.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST (UK)
October 2005 - September 2008
Fully Integrated, real-time detection, diagnosis and control of community infection outbreaks.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
April 2013 - July 2018
Application of whole genome sequencing to fully characterise Campylobacter isolates from the IID1 and IID2 studies.
FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY (UK)
January 2014 - February 2015
Infections of the eye – bacterial keratitis
ROYAL LIVERPOOL AND BROADGREEN UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST (UK)
September 2010 - August 2011