biomedical sciences research institute - Research - University of Ulster

8. MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGYRESEARCH GROUPRESEARCH STRATEGYThis Group concentrates on infectious diseases rather than degenerative diseases. Our focus is upon reaching adeeper understanding of the distribution, function and control of bacteria, protozoa and viruses of importance tobiomedical science; recognising the importance of the environment as a reservoir of microbial pathogens, and as asource of micro-organisms producing novel bioactive molecules. Analytical techniques have also been applied to otherbiological materials, which may be sources of molecules with therapeutic potential. As such ‘Infection free by design’is a theme that all the members of the group currently contribute to. This is a multidisciplinary approach, involvingclinicians, industry and academia, to solving problems associated with microbial infection in a public health context.The Group is currently actively involved in the following research projects:• Biology of Clostridium difficile whose associated disease (CDAD), within the ageing population, is a significantproblem to healthcare providers worldwide. It is essential that the incidence of this disease be contained notleast given the associated mortality rate of 6-15%.• Biology of the protozoan Cryptosporidium, an intracellular parasite responsible for many gastrointestinal infections,lately spectacularly so in Ireland.• Molecular methodologies for detecting and monitoring pathogens in novel environments, and for detecting lowcopy number genes associated with the metabolism of antiviral compounds.• A set of investigations of infective agents: viral pathogenesis and mechanism of antiviral drug resistance inBunyaviridae, arthropod-borne viruses that are important human pathogens, causing emerging infections inresponse to ecological changes.• The role of protease inhibitors in combination antiretroviral therapy, that have so substantially improved clinicaloutcome in HIV infection.• Interactions between viruses, the immune system and wound healing.• Proteomic techniques and tools for the analysis of micro-organisms of emerging medical and industrialimportance.• Advances in analytical science, particularly in mass spectrometry and NMR, that underpin the proteomiccapabilities.56