microbiology&technologytransfer

Dr James LonnenDept of Infection, Immunity &

InflammationMaurice Shock Bldg

University of Leicester

How did it all start?1997 – 2000: Biological Sciences BSc (Hons.

Microbiology)

November 2000 – Nalco

Multinational water treatment & water hygeine company

Technical Sales Engineer, UK Sales, North East Region

Industrial boilers – Chemical treatmentCooling towers – Control of Legionella bacteria

ResponsibilitiesQuality analysis of systems

The sale of equipment and chemicals to develop existing accounts

Provision of technical and health and safety information to customers

The management of engineers to install or repair chemical dosing systems

Day to DayPatch covered North East EnglandTarget of 4 calls per day

Meet contact on siteCheck dosing systems, quality of waterProvide analysis report, advise on system

maintenanceProduce quotations for new equipment and

chemicalsClose the sale

MAKE MONEY

Transferable Skills Time management, organisation

Communication skills – people at all levelsBoiler men through to company directors

Presentation skills

Sell yourself

Return to LeicesterWanted to move into a more research based fieldNovember 2002 - Research Technician, Dept of

IIILaboratory involved in both research and

commercial work

The testing of disinfectants against a range of microorganisms

Acanthamoeba

Acanthamoeba

Trophozoite

Cyst

PhDWanted to do research on infectious

microorganismsNovember 2003 – Full time (3 years) PhD, Dept

of IIIBBSRC fundedCharacterising the mobile genome of Shigella

Pathogenic bacterium, strain of E. coliCauses dysentery60 million cases per year1 million deaths

Purpose of studyTo detect and identify genetic elements that

confer pathogenicity (toxins, antibiotic resistance) across a panel of unsequenced Shigella strains

To identify novel elements

To gain insights into the distribution of pathogenicity determinants across Shigella

To identify potential targets for novel Shigella-specific antimicrobial therapies

Transferable SkillsMolecular biology – Extracting genomic DNA, cloning

into plasmid vectors, PCR and many more....Bioinformatics – DNA sequence analysis,

manipulation, prediction of protein functionsScientific writing – Reports, papers

Problem solving, analytical thinking, lateral thinkingDetermination, adapt to changes, implement changes

Overall knowledge of the subject area

1st year of PhD - SubwardenBe involved in the University communityCheap rent!

Role Pastoral care and discipline of studentsOrganisation of activities in the hall

Interpersonal, leadership and team working skills

After a PhD??Carry on in academic research? – Postdoctoral

Researcher, Lecturer, Professor.........Move into Industrial Science?Do something completely different?

Most highly educated and skilled group in the UK

Back to the Acanthamoeba lab!!June 2007 – Laboratory Manager, Dept of IIIBoth research and contract work for commercial

clients

Commercial ServicesDisinfectant and drug efficacy testing against

bacteria, fungi, virus and AcanthamoebaContact lens solutions, ISO standardsIsolation and identification of pathogenic free-

living amoeba and bacteria from water samples Microbial analysis of clinical samples

Manager –Acanthamoeba labMy RolePlan and oversee all aspects of commercial work

undertaken in the laboratorySupervise and review the work and results

generated by technical staff Expand existing contractsGenerate new businessDevelop new assays to increase the market target

for commercial enterprises – Acanthamoeba testingProduce protocols, client reports, maintain records

in line with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

Acanthamoeba KeratitisRare, but very painful and potentially blinding

infection of the cornea, the transparent covering at the front of the eye

85% of cases are associated with contact lens use

Due to patient non compliance

Often misdiagnosedDifficult to treat due to the organisms ability to

encystMost cases result in permanent loss of vision

ClientsEye care companiesPharmaceutical and healthcare companiesSpasWater hygiene companiesOther laboratories who require our specialist

services

Expertise

Any Questions?