Contact
Biography
- 1993 - PhD, "The Role of Murein Hydrolases in the Cell Division of E.coli." Molecular Biology Dept., University of Edinburgh.
- 1993-97 - Research Associate, Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford Research project: Prof. J Errington's research group. "Division site control in Bacillus subtilis."
- 1997-00 - Max Plank Research Fellow, MPI f. Entwicklungsbiologie, Tuebingen, Germany. Section of Prof. J. Holtje. "Subcellular localisation of cell division proteins in B.subtilis."
- 2000-06 - University of Dundee, Pathology & Neuroscience, Medical School, Lecturer.
- 2006- - University of Dundee, Clinical Dental Sciences, Dental School, Senior Lecturer.
Research
Research; Prokaryotic cell cycle and development of antimicrobial strategies. My background as molecular biologist has been involved in investigating cell wall synthesis during the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive rod-shaped microorganisms. Key discoveries include the identification of the target for Bulgecin (1992), the identification & investigation of the topological specifier of cell division in B.subtilis (DivIVA) (1997-2006), and the use of a synthetic lethal screen to uncover the role of GpsB in relocation of the cell wall synthesis machinery during the cell cycle (2006-2010).
Current research topics in the laboratory include:
- Modelling the cell cycle & infectivity of the Periodontal pathogen Fusobacterium nucleatum.
- Investigating the role of a SNF-2 related DNA helicase proteins in the regulation of chromosome partition in a model microorganism (Collaborator; Prof. Tom Owen-Hughes, CLS, UoD).
Teaching
Current administrative role
- 2nd BDS year lead. (Previously 1st BDS Exam Convenor, & 2nd BDS Exam Convenor.)
Teaching contributions
1st BDS
- Lead & lecturer for the Microbiology component of CDS Module.
- Responsible for course design, preparation, delivery & monitoring.
2nd BDS
- Lead & lecturer for the Microbiology Module, responsible for course design, preparation, & monitoring.
- Lecturer on Endemic Oral Disease, Oral Biology and Caries A&E modules, responsible for design, preparation, delivery & examining.
1st, 2nd, & 3rd BDS
- Cleanliness Champions, Infection control & Decontamination.
- Supervision, mentoring & examination duties.
OHS (BSc)
- Lead & Lecturer on Oral Health Sciences Microbiology module.
- Design, preparation, delivery & examining.
MBChB
- Lecturer contributing to 1st year Module "Skin".
- Lecture delivery.
- SSC Module organizer (2nd & 3rd year); "Microbial Pathogenesis & Resistance".
- Responsible for course design, delivery, assessment.
BSc (Hons)
- Supervision of Honours Projects for Environmental & Applied Biology Degree Board, Molecular Microbiology Speciality.
MRes
- Lecturer on Masters by research in Cancer Biology course.
- Delivery of "Proakaryotes & Cancer" Lecturer & Molecular Biology Practical Class.
MDSc
- Project supervision of Masters students investigating "Novel antimicrobial restorative materials."
External examining duties
- Current external examiner for Newcastle University; Molecular Biology MSc.
- Previous PhD examiner for Newcastle University, Sheffield University, University of Sydney, University of Dundee & University of Karachi.