Biography

I gained my BSc (Hons 2:i) in Biochemistry from the University of Aberdeen before continuing to my PhD (Molecular Biology of plant viruses) at what was then the Scottish Crop Research Institute in Invergowrie, Dundee. After my PhD I returned to Aberdeen to the Rowett Institute and have been been an active researcher here ever since.

Research Overview

Investigations into the development and evolution of the gut microbiota

The human large intestine is home to the largest and most diverse group of bacteria in the human body. These bacteria play an important role in maintaining human health, fermenting plant fibres and other non-digestible carbohydrates, and releasing compounds that have direct or indirect benefits to human health. Understanding the impact of specific dietary components on gut bacteria will help us to formulate health advice for the general population.

Key Research Interests are:

• the molecular mechanisms by which specific bacteria utilise different dietary components including prebiotics and fibre
• the importance of diet in modulating both the composition and activity of the microbiota
• understanding the sequential colonisation and longitudinal development of the microbiota through life
• investigating the health benefits that can be derived from increased consumption of oats and barley. The impact of these dietary components are assessed in vitro using bacterial mono- and co-culture, aswell as using mixed batch culture and fermentor systems.  Human studies have also been done to ascertain the effects in vivo.

• the role of the gut microbiota in the carriage, evolution and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes

• co-localisation of antimicrobial and other resistance genes on transmissible conjugative transposons. These resistance genes are also useful genetic markers to investigate gene function in key gut anaerobes, and to perfrom genetic manipulation experiments.

• identifying new commensal bacteria suitable for development as next generation probiotics

Current Research

1. Assessing the prevalence and evolution of antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria resident in the gut, and entering from the food chain

2. Effect of different cereals as dietary components on the gut microbiota.

3. Manipulation of anaerobic gut bacteria

4. investigating possible members of the gut microbiota as potential probiotics

Collaborations

Through the RESAS work I collaborate with scientists at JHI (Kelly Houston, Nicola Holden), the Moredun (Eleanor Watson), SRUC (Nicola Holden, Judith Evans) and UHI (Peter Martin).

I also collaborate on various projects with other scientists from different Universities (UK and EU) who have mutual interests in the activity of the gut microbiota, or in the prevalence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes.

Funding and Grants

• Scottish Government funded HEI Partnership grant - A systems wide approach to the control of Campyobacter in the food chain (focussing on the presence of antibiotic resistance genes)
• Scottish Government theme funding for RI
• Commercial funding from Vogel to investigate the effect of a specific prebiotic on gut health
• Commercial funding to perform anaerobic bacterial isolations
• Several foreign government funded PhD studentships
• Tenovus and NHS Endowment trust funding for various collaborative projects

Teaching Responsibilities

I am responsible for teaching various units on the composition and function of the gut microbiota to MSc students and undergraduate 2nd year Medical students. I am also involved in supporting the general science and microbiology undergraduate teaching in the University, contributing to both lecturing and practical course teaching. I also contribute a section on Gut Microbiology to the successful Nutrition and Wellbeing MOOC, accessible learning for anyone interested.