Catherine Adley

Biography

In summary my research in the past/current has been in three focused areas biotechnology education, antibiotic resistance in the environment and the organism Ralstonia pickettii. The main focus of my research has been on the mobility of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment. This research initiated with my PhD thesis topic, that clinical sources of antibiotics could be transferred in the environment. I demonstrated using Mu, a transposable phage, as a research vehicle, that methylation can affect gene expression. With the advent of antibiotic gene use in genetically modified food sources I was involved in the debate and subsequently published on the attitudes and regulation concerning their use. I have developed research expertise in monitoring surveillance, cross contamination and hygiene control in particular of food borne pathogens. I am an expert on Ralstonia pickettii, a persistent contaminant of high purity water which is of importance in the Biopharma industry. I host a dedicated web page to this organism www.ralstoniapickettii.com. In seeking out a method to identify and detect R. pickettii in industrial setting, I developed a interest in sensor applications, a convergence of electronic engineering, bioinformatics and microbiology for real translational applications. My interest in real-time applications were further fostered with the interaction with iControl Solutions, a start-up company in the development of a telemetric temperature monitoring system for milk tankers, for microbial control. As a lecturer I have been actively involved in generating web based teaching material for schools and colleges. These materials have been translated in multiple European languages. See www.eibe.info. I have general interest in environmental issues and am investigation green roof structures as a source of carbon sequestering and the use of novel soil mixtures for the sustainability of green roofs.

Research Interest

Rapid methods for the detection of bacteria in Purified Water, Food borne pathogens & the cold chain, Bioinformatics: Biosensors in microbial detection, Microbial control methods and Biotechology Education.