Senior Lecturer in Microbiology

Director of Pathogenic Mechanisms Group

Research Interests:

Host-pathogen interactions and One Health

Bacterial toxins and virulence mechanisms

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus - seafood-borne gastroenteric pathogens

Manipulation of eukaryotic cell signalling pathways and cell activities by bacteria

Anti-microbial and anti-virulence molecules from natural marine and terrestrial sources

Prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in Irish shellfishmarine aquaculture

Microbiomes and AMR bacteria of venomous animals

The Pathogenic Mechanisms Research Group characterises the molecular mechanisms deployed by bacteria to colonise, survive and multiply during infection. By identifying and characterising the mechanisms that a bacterium uses to ensure its survival and persistence in a human or animal, these molecular activities can then be targeted for the development of antimicrobials and therapeutics.

The Pathogenic Mechanisms research group utilises molecular techniques to investigate relationships between bacteria and the cells of humans and animals. The balance of bacterial pathogenic mechanisms versus the host immune response determines whether the bacteria will be killed and eliminated from the host or whether the bacteria will survive in the host and multiply. Bacteria have evolved a myriad of ways by which they can tip the balance in their favour. Several bacterial pathogens use Type III Secretion Systems (TTSS) to modulate host cell behaviour. TTSS directly channel effector proteins from bacteria into eukaryotic cells, where they cause dysfunctional regulation of eukaryotic cell signalling proteins and sabotage the normal processes of the cell, thereby enhancing the ability of the bacteria to colonise the host. For example, cytokine and chemokine production may be altered, epithelial barrier functions may be perturbed, or bactericidal mechanisms may be inhibited.

One primary research focus are Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus which cause gastroenteritis after eating contaminated shellfish. They also have a severe detrimental economic impact on aquaculture. Our goal is to understand the molecular basis for the pathogenicity of Vibrio species.

Investigating how Vibrio stress responses facilitate bacterial survival and virulence.

Identifying and characterising marine sponge molecules that inhibit the virulence of Vibrio and other pathogens.

Studying the prevalence of pathogenic Vibrio in Irish shellfish marine aquaculture

As well as increasing understanding of Vibrio pathogenesis, this research promotes a broader knowledge of virulence mechanisms and host manipulation by bacteria. It has the potential to lead to the development of preventive and therapeutic antimicrobial strategies, thereby improving food safety and human health.

A recent direction of research is the identification of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria on the bodies and fangs of household spiders. The bacteria could cause skin infections after a person is bitten by a spider. AMR is an urgent and growing problem worldwide. A One Health approach interconnecting human, animal and environmental health is the only way to tackle the problem.

Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis

Host-pathogen interactions and One Health

Bacterial toxins and virulence mechanisms

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus - seafood-borne gastroenteric pathogens

Manipulation of eukaryotic cell signalling pathways and cell activities by bacteria

Anti-microbial and anti-virulence molecules from natural marine and terrestrial sources

Prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in Irish shellfish

Antimicrobial resistant bacteria on spider fangs

The grants listed below are only those on which I am/was the lead PI. In addition I am/was co-PI on EU-Marie Skodowska-Curie Actions H2020 Initial Training Network, EU Marie Curie Transfer of Knowledge programme, PRTLI-V Graduate Research education programme andHEA PRTLI-IV Facility grants.

I have extensive broad experience of module co-ordination, MSc and BSc programme management and student teaching in each year of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes with large to small class sizes (8-280 students). I have supervised the research projects of more than 20 MSc students and 100 BSc students and visiting students/researchers. From 2017-2022 I co-ordinated the 4th Year BSc Science-Microbiology programme, and from 2005-2017 I was Director of MSc Biotechnology programme.