My PhD work focused on characterising the relationship between structure and function of carboxylate transporters in different model organisms (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus nidulans) and successfully demonstrating critical residues for transporter function by combining biochemical, functional and byophisical studies. I then switched gears to host-pathogen interactions and pursued a postdoc under Prof. Jose Bengoechea (Queen's University Belfast, UK) where I provided novel mechanistic insights into Klebsiella pneumoniae modification of host proteins by post-translational modifications to impair innate immune responses. On the sequence of my work with Prof. Bengoechea I have been awarded a BBSRC research grant as a Researcher Co-Investigator to determine how K. pneumoniae exploits an effector protein with a eukaryotic domain to antagonize host defences.
Affiliations
Teaching
I have directly supervised 7 MRes and MSc projects and 3 BSc students in their research placement including daily one to one mentoring on project development, planning and time management, practical demonstration, troubleshooting and provision of theoretical knowledge, development of presentation skills and thesis preparation including correction.
I have mentored over 30 undergraduate, Master’s, PhD’s and research technicians within the lab over my academic career; setting, supervising, and assessing projects and ensuring their full integration into the laboratory setting.
I have collaborated in the development of a module in “Generic Laboratory Skills for life scientists” to Queen's University Belfast PhD students annually delivering a lecture on Western Blotting. I was also regularly involved in the marking of BSc final dissertations and research presentations while at Queen's University Belfast.
I was also actively involved in the design of short post-graduate courses at the University of Minho from 2010 to 2013, designing and delivering lectures as well as practical demonstrations.
Research
My work focuses on the infection biology of Gram-negative bacteria. I focus on deciphering interactions between innate host immunity and infection caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae. Respiratory infections including bacterial pneumonia are a global health burden and Gram-negative bacteria such as K. pneumoniae infections are a major contributor, having been singled out as an ‘urgent threat to human health’ by the World Health Organization.
My work involves a multidisciplinary approach interfacing cellular microbiology, immunology and molecular biology to uncover mechanisms utilised by K. pneumoniae to manipulate host pathways for successful infection. I have uncovered a sophisticated strategy employed by Klebsiella to subvert the activation of immune defences by controlling the modification of host proteins by post-translational modifications (SUMOylation and NEDDylation). Klebsiella also inhibits Cullin-1 NEDDylation through the formation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) and activation of the mitochondria-located receptor NLRX1. This is a consequence of an influx of calcium into the mitochondria induced by the trans-kingdom T6SS effector VgrG4.
I have also contributed to determine the anti-immunology strategies employed by this pathogen in endothelial cells, epithelial cells and macrophages and to work on the infection biology of other Gram-negative bacteria causing respiratory infections including Acinetobacter baumannii.
Selected Publications
