UCC Microbiology Researcher awarded W.H. Pierce Memorial Prize
Dr Robert Ryan receiving his award from Richard Marsh, Director of Sales at Oxoid Ltd and Thermo Scientific
Dr Robert Ryan receiving his award from Richard Marsh, Director of Sales at Oxoid Ltd and Thermo Scientific
Dr Ryan received this award in recognition of his work aimed at understanding the complex interplay between bacterial pathogens during polymicrobial infection.
The W.H. Pierce Prize is awarded to a microbiologist under 40 years of age who has made a substantial contribution to microbiology. The W.H. Pierce Memorial Prize was instituted in 1984 by the directors of Oxoid to commemorate the life and works of the late W.H. Pierce, former chief bacteriologist of Oxo Limited and long-time member of the Society. Bill Pierce was a pioneer in the development of dehydrated culture media and was a great contributor to the foundation of the Oxoid range.
Dr Ryan delivered the 2012 Pierce Memorial Lecture, entitled, “Bacterial interspecies signalling during cystic fibrosis lung infection” at the SfAM Summer Conference held in Edinburgh earlier this month.
Dr Ryan’s work examines the role that cell-cell signalling plays in influencing both bacterial virulence, biofilm formation and response to therapy in a range of polymicrobial infections such as those associated with the cystic fibrosis lung. The focus of such work has become increasingly important with the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance and the paucity of novel antibiotics. The work carried out by Dr Ryan and his group has helped in understanding novel signal transduction systems involved in bacterial interspecies signalling that have a role in the regulation of virulence, antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation that could ultimately lead to new opportunities for the control of such bacterial diseases.
“I can't tell you how happy I am to receive this award but the credit doesn’t just go to me as I’ve been privileged to work with a number of very smart and supportive people in the last few years”, said Dr Ryan.
Dr. Ryan’s research is funded through a Science Foundation Ireland Starting Investigator Award and Wellcome Trust Project grant.