Senior Lecturer in Microbiology

Director of Pathogenic Mechanisms Research Group

Research Interests:

Host-Microbe Interactions and One Health

• Molecular & Cellular Microbiology of Infectious Diseases
• Bacterial Toxins and Virulence Mechanisms
• Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus - Seafood-Borne Gastroenteric Pathogens
• Pathogenic Bacteria in Marine Shellfish Aquaculture
• Anti-Microbial and Anti-Virulence Molecules from Natural Marine and Terrestrial Sources
• Microbiomes and AMR Bacteria of Venomous Animals

The Pathogenic Mechanisms Research Group characterises the molecular mechanisms deployed by bacteria during colonisation and 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. Our One Health perspective involves microbial communities, animal and human hosts and environmental factors.  Through the analysis of natural products we analyse novel antimicrobials 

Bacterial Toxins and Virulence Mechanisms

We apply 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. A focus of interest are Type III Secretion Systems (T3SS) which modulate host cell behaviour. T3SS 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.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus - Seafood-Borne Gastroenteric Pathogens

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus cause gastroenteritis in huamns 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 by

• Investigating how Vibrio stress responses facilitate bacterial survival and virulence.
• Identifying and characterising natural marine and terrestrial molecules that inhibit the virulence of Vibrio and other pathogens.
• Studying the prevalence of pathogenic Vibrio in Irish shellfish marine aquaculture

Our research advances 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.

Anti-Microbial and Anti-Virulence Molecules from Natural Marine and Terrestrial Sources

In order to identify novel antimicrobials to address the challenges of infectious diseases and AMR, we analyse natural products for their antimicrobial activity. Marine sponges and snake venom are amongst the sources where anti-microbial and anti-virulence molecules have been identified and now undergo further study.

Microbiomes and AMR Bacteria of Venomous Animals

A recent direction of research is the topic of bacterial interaction with venomous animals, such as spiders, snakes and scorpions, which can be vectors for zoonotic diseases. Microbial community analysis of venom glands distinguishes the bacteria that could cause skin infections after a bite. The One Health approach interconnecting human, animal and environmental health is the best way to tackle the problem.

Host-Microbe Interactions and One Health

• Molecular & Cellular Microbiology of Infectious Diseases
• Bacterial Toxins and Virulence Mechanisms
• Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus - Seafood-Borne Gastroenteric Pathogens
• Pathogenic Bacteria in Marine Shellfish Aquaculture
• Anti-Microbial and Anti-Virulence Molecules from Natural Marine and Terrestrial Sources
• Microbiomes and AMR Bacteria of Venomous Animals

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 (8-600 students) across a range of biological subjects. I co-ordinated the 4th Year BSc Science-Microbiology programme and was Director of the MSc Biotechnology programme. I have supervised the research projects of >25 MSc students and >125 BSc students and visiting students/researchers.