Research interests
- Physiology and adaptive mechanisms for survival of pathogens, in vivo and in vitro e.g. Legionella, Helicobacter, E. coli O157, MRSA, C. difficile.
- Biofilms in the environment, the built environment and clinical practice.
- Surface contamination, including prions; fouling and corrosion.
- Survival of sublethally damaged pathogens in water and human and animal wastes recycled to agricultural land, e.g. E coli O157 Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, Cryptosporidium
PhD supervision
Callum Highmore: BBSRC Industrial CASE student / Decontamination of biofilm and VBNC zoonotic pathogens on the salad leaf phylloplane for enhanced food security and safety
Nany Malissa Rahimi: Commonwealth Scholar / Development, persistence and control of biofilms on urinary catheters utilising advanced imaging and molecular techniques.
Chris Winnard: IfLS student / Biofilm formation in neonatal naso-gastric tubes
Tom Maybe: DSTL student / Biosynthesis of nanomaterials with spectrally selective solar absorptance
Research group
Microbiology
Affiliate research groups
Institute for Life Sciences (IfLS), Network for Anti-Microbial Resistance and Infection Prevention (NAMRIP)
Research project(s)
Using microscopy and molecular community analysis techniques, the effects of antifouling methods will be assessed.
This project will assess the cleanliness of existing endoscopes and the efficacy of current decontamination procedures, using a new highly sensitive microscopy imaging method to identify and quantify residual contamination from a range of flexible endoscopes, and new cell assays to assess potential prion infectivity.
Touch surfaces are an important conduit for transmission of bacteria, viruses and fungi, leading to mass outbreaks of disease in the community and healthcare acquired infections by multiple antibiotic resistant microorganisms causing great morbidity and mortality.
The objective of the work developed by the partner University of Southampton is to firstly optimize the formation of L. monocytogenes biofilms and then conduct experiments to calculate the detachment forces required to remove L. monocytogenes biofilms.
To evaluate the potential of Cold Atmospheric Plasma as a tool for the decontamination of reusable surgical instruments and endoscopes, thus significantly reducing the risk of iatrogenic infections with prions and potentially other resilient agents.
Analysis of biofilms in the marine environment and of the effectiveness of antifouling strategies
Our Consultancy Service has dealt with a wide range of projects in collaboration with both small and large multinational companies. We offer a range of testing services using up-to-date microbiological methods and the latest techniques in specialised microscopy.
Using the model organism Pseudomonas aeruginosa to investigate mechanisms by which drinking water biofilms harbour important pathogenic microorganism and how these interactions within multi-species biofilms can enhance genetic adaptation and evolution of microbial pathogens.
Development of rapid, sensitive, advanced EDIC/EF light microscopy based protocols to assess the efficacy of current bio-decontamination systems.
Using a multicellular tumour spheroid model to investigate the role of hypoxia and DNA mismatch repair on the fundamental processes of importance in tumour development
Investigating the use of the signalling molecule nitric oxide for microbial control at the phylloplane
This work aims to design novel methodologies for the detection of low levels of contaminants, model the distribution of contaminants throughout a network and identify the point of origin, develop the use of sensors for surveillance and provide decontamination protocols for polluted networks and installations, including the neutralisation of contaminated water and residues.
Biofilm development on urinary catheters is a major healthcare issue, leading to infection and blockage. Here we are using advanced microscopy and viability techniques to improve our understanding of biofilm development and persistence on urinary catheters.
The StarStream device cleans using only room temperature water, ultrasound and air. This CASE award studentship, funded by EPSRC and Ultrawave Ltd., examines method of improving the StarStream by looking at the engineering associated with the water supply components of the device. This entails the design and construction of new bubble diagnostics technology.
Professor Bill KeevilSchool of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
Life Sciences Building 85
University of Southampton
Highfield Campus
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Room Number: 85/4059
