Knowledge, skills and experience matrix of The University of the West of the
Scotland for IBioIC
The University of the West of the Scotland (www.uws.ac.uk/IBEHR)
UWS is a Post-1992 University and the staff of the newly-formed Institute of Biomedical and Environmental
Health Research (IBEHR) are focused on humans and their environment, addressing core research issues in
human health and disease, drug discovery and design, through to human impact on the environment from waste
discharges and the feedback of the environment on human health (with a focus on the role of microorganisms in
providing solutions to environmental issues). Current research encompasses the study of microbial interactions
from host-pathogen relationships during infection through the benefit of probiotics formulations for
bioremediation and maintenance of the soil support systems and restoration of soil health. This
multidisciplinary community of IBEHR brings together life, physical and environmental scientists in a holistic
approach to research.
Protists for biotechnology [Contact: Dr Fiona Henriquez, fiona.henriquez@uws.ac.uk ]:
The Protist team aim to investigate the recycling of nutrients by protists in terrestrial and aquatic environments
to improve soil health and food security, including Toxoplasma gondii. They are also particularly interested in
the symbiotic relationship of pathogenic protists, such as Acanthamoeba species, with the important intracellular
pathogens and bio-defence organisms it harbours (such as bacteria), in the survival, invasiveness and virulence
of this pathogen to humans. Acanthamoeba themselves can cause severe eye disease, often associated with
contact lens wear and genomic information from Acanthamoeba will be used to inform the development of
diagnostics and identification of targets for drug development. Other areas of research include the genomic
investigation of Paramoeba that cause the Amoebic Gill Disease (AGD) in up to 70% mortality in the salmon
farms worldwide. This project will use the pathogen’s ‘omics’ technology to provide novel insights on its
metabolic activities, disease pathology, diagnostics and potential targets with therapeutic potential. The
development of an efficient detection system for disease and disease diagnostics and resolution is been pursued
Peptides synthesis, delivery systems, surface interactions and bioprocessing: [contact: Mohammed
Yaseen, mohammed.yaseen@uws.ac.uk ]
In this project, short peptides with anti-bacterial activities at concentrations that are non-toxic to human cells are
being synthesised and screened against intracellular pathogens and micro-organisms. This project provides
opportunities for engineered synthesis and tuning of potential lead peptides to increase specificity and efficacy,
extending knowledge beyond the current state of the art. Other areas of research include the identification of
non-toxic peptide surfactants for bioformulations, support system to direct growth of mammalian cells and
induction of stem cell differentiation. This project will also investigate the interaction of proteins with
biomaterial surfaces and reactor surfaces used in biotech processes to aid the development of novel responsive
anti-fouling surface and biocompatible surfaces.
Drug discovery for Protists [Contact: Roderick Williams, roderick.williams@uws.ac.uk ]
In these project molecular therapeutic targets in protists such as Leishmania, nematodes are identified and
validated using biochemical and molecular approaches. Therapeutic targets are screened against a novel inhouse chemical and peptide libraries in established in-vitro and in- vivo models using optimised mediumthroughput assay system to identify leads for a rational drug development programme. Opportunities exist for
retuning potential chemicals and peptide leads to increase efficacy and specificity and development of
formulation of leads for a successfully delivery to our in vivo systems through varied routes of entry.
Downstream processing [Contact: Andrew Hursthouse, andrew.hursthouse@uws.ac.uk ]:
The Centre of Environmental Research are involved in experimental research in the following area: (a)
interaction of wet particulate wastes and the environment; (b) development of novel waste treatment methods
for the recovery of values or for stabilisation for disposal (c) research, development and validation of monitoring
methods, environmental fate models and designs for environmental compliance (d) simulated land spreading of
newspaper de-inking sludge (e) metal migration and buffering capacity of process by products from steel
making (f) migration of metals in urban soils (g) large scale demonstration of groundwater/soil remediation for
metal and organic pollutants (h) nitrate transport processes in diffuse pollution.
Metagenomics for Biotechnology [Contact: Roderick Williams, roderick.williams@uws.ac.uk ]
The metagenomics team aims to apply ‘omics’ technologies on soil biomes to identify novel biocatalyst for
destroying toxic environmental contaminants (in soils, waste water, municipal and industrial wastes) to improve
soil health and water quality respectively. The role of surfactant-induced changes in the cellular metabolic
pathways in our model metal-resistant prokaryotic lines and the bioavailability of contaminants in soils to these
microbes is also been investigated using culture-based techniques, metallomics and metabolomics technologies.
These projects will inform the development of ‘designer’ microbes with enhanced contaminant-degradation
potential and original research underpinning microbial specialisation in the habitat of concern and formulation
development. The development of suitable delivery systems for these microbes or their recombinant gene
products to contaminated soil is being explored.