Mahony Lab

Jennifer Mahony is Professor of Molecular Food Microbiology at University College Cork and a Principal Investigator at APC Microbiome Ireland. Her research primarily focuses on the interactions between bacteriophages—viruses that infect bacteria—and beneficial bacteria used in food fermentations. By studying these interactions, Prof Mahony aims to enhance the quality and sustainability of fermented foods like cheese and yogurt. 

As Co-Principal Investigator on Theme 1 of APC Microbiome Ireland, Prof Mahony collaborates with a team to explore the fundamental mechanisms of phage-host interactions. This work is crucial for developing strategies to prevent phage infections that can disrupt fermentation processes, leading to food spoilage and waste. By understanding how bacteriophages recognize and infect bacteria such as Streptococcus thermophilus, her team seeks to devise methods to protect these beneficial microbes, thereby improving food production efficiency. 

Prof Mahony's commitment to sustainable food production extends to developing plant-based alternatives to dairy products. Her research applies knowledge from dairy fermentation to improve the taste and texture of vegan foods, meeting the growing consumer demand for such products. 

In addition to her work on food fermentations, Prof Mahony has been involved in projects addressing global health challenges. Notably, she received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to investigate the gut microbiota of infants in developing countries and to develop phage-based therapeutics for microbially-derived intestinal infections with target organisms such as Shigella and Enterotoxigenic E. coli. This research aims to reduce infant mortality by targeting harmful bacteria in the gut with specific bacteriophages, thereby promoting a healthier microbial balance. 

Through her diverse research efforts, Prof Jennifer Mahony contributes significantly to both food science and global health, leveraging her expertise in microbiology to address pressing challenges in these fields.