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Biography
Michael Jones obtained a BSc (Hons) in Microbiology from the University of Sheffield. He carried out postgraduate research at the University of East Anglia obtaining an MSc (1991) and PhD (1994). He then spent three and a half years as a research fellow at the University of Aberdeen, Institute for Medical Sciences, studying stretch activated channels. He then moved to work at the Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory in 1997 where he worked on host pathogen interactions during bacterial gastrointestinal disease in farm animals , vaccine development and host genetics. His research links molecular biology, bacterial physiology and host immune responses to infection.
In 2006 Dr Jones moved to help establish the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science where he was a foundation lecturer. Dr Jones planned, implemented and convenes the microbiology components of the BVM BVS and BVMedSci course. During this time he has obtained his PGCHE and an MA in higher education from the University of Nottingham and has carried on his research on intestinal pathogens and host interactions.
His current research is focused on the zoonotic pathogens Salmonella and Campylobacter, AMR and Bacteriophage in the farm environment and as bio-controls and .
In addition he has supported the development of undergraduate research projects and placements resulting in projects in the following areas: understanding the micro-flora of zoological species, AMR and molecular detection of zoonotic pathogens..
Dr Jones acknowledges and would like to thanks the following for their support: DEFRA, BBSRC, FSA, EU, Novartis and Intervet in his research.
Expertise Summary
Research expertise:
- Foodbourne bacterial pathogens in particular Campylobacter and Salmonella. He has worked in public health since 1994 and has been actively researching animal health since 1997.
- Understanding the immune response to Salmonella and how Salmonella stereotypes come to define these responses.
- The role Bacteriophage in the farm environment and risk from AMR and virulence gene transfer.
- Antibiotic resistance in the environment and the interplay between specific drivers and risk of development.
- The application fo Bacteriophage to control pathogens and reduce AMR.
Teaching and associated expertise:
- Planning and implementation of Veterinary Microbiology delivery within the Nottingham BVMS course.
- AMR teaching and stewardship. Dr Jones is part of the Vet Schools Council AMR advisory group.
Safety and Biological Safety.
- Dr Jones is School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences Safety Coordinator.
- Biological safety Dr Jones has over 20 years experience in Biological Safety and as a Biological Safely advisor. He is also chair of the campus genetic modification scientific committee (GMSCd).
Teaching Summary
Dr Jones convenes the microbiology integrated module. He lectures in veterinary microbiology and molecular biology in years 2 and 3 of the BVMS course. The course has an innovative integrated… read more
Research Summary
His current research is directed at understanding the host interactions of bacteria disease and routes to control these infections.
His research interests developed from the study of bacterial physiology through to the molecular and immunological mechanisms involved in colonization and disease.
The main focus of his work is on the following genera of bacteria, Campylobacter, Salmonella and Mycobacterium.
Research on Campylobacter includes investigations into phase variation, the physiology and immunology of colonization of the chicken and the development of vaccines. This work is being carried out in collaboration with Departments of Food Sciences and Bimolecular sciences and Mathematics at the University of Nottingham, the universities of Leicester and Cambridge.
The studies on Salmonella are investigating the molecular basis of host specificity and virulence of Salmonella serovars Gallinarum, Pullorum and Enteritidis. This work is in collaboration with Paul Barrow at the University of Nottingham, the Roslin and the Sanger Institutes.
Work on Mycobacterium has focused on understanding the interaction of Mycobacterium avium in poultry. With work focusing on immune responses and the physical interaction of these bacteria with the host cells.
The overall aim of the research program is to improve the understanding of the nature of infectious diseases to identify and improved routes for control of important animal and zoonotic diseases.
Selected Publications
BAYLISS, C.D., BIDMOS, F.A., ANJUM, A., MANCHEV, V.T., RICHARDS, R.L., GROSSIER, J., WOOLDRIDGE, K.G., KETLEY, J.M., BARROW, P.A., JONES, M.A. and TRETYAKOV, M.V., 2012. Phase Variable Genes Of Campylobacter Jejuni Exhibit High Mutation Rates And Specific Mutational Patterns But Mutability Is Not The Major Determinant Of Population Structure During Host Colonization. Nucleic Acids Research. 40(13), 82152 SETTA, A., BARROW, P.A., KAISER, P. and JONES, M.A., 2012. Early immune dynamics following infection with Salmonella enterica serovars Enteritidis, Infantis, Pullorum and Gallinarum: cytokine and chemokine gene expression profile and cellular changes of chicken cecal tonsils Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 35(5), 397-410 KARLYSHEV A.V., THACKER G., JONES M.A., CLEMENTS M.O. and WREN B.W., 2014. Campylobacter jejuni gene cj0511 encodes a serine peptidase essential for colonisation. FEBS Open Bio. 4, 468-72 SETTA, A., BARROW, P., KAISER, P. and JONES, M., 2012. Immune dynamics following infection of avian macrophages and epithelial cells with typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica serovars; bacterial invasion and persistence, nitric oxide and oxygen production, differential host gene expression, NF-κB signalling and cell cytotoxicity Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. (In Press.)
Past Research
Previously Dr Jones worked as a research fellow in the University of Aberdeen where he worked on stretch activated channels and was part of the team which identified double membrane spanning MscL channel in E. coli.
Dr Jones then moved to the Institute for Animal Health to work on Type-III secretion systems in Salmonella.
He then established the IAH Campylobacter research group. This group was the first to identify defined lines of poultry resistant to Campylobacter colonisation, in vivo gene transcripts from bacteria in the GI tract and to show a pro-inflammatory avian immune responses to the commensal Campylobacter.
The work has been carried on to evaluate infection models for Campylobacter and to investigate the potential for vaccines against this important foodborne pathogen.
Future Research
Alongside the current research Dr Jones also has interests in Antimicrobial resistance and novel control of bacteria. He is also collaborating with Professor Jamie Leigh well established group in developing novel areas of streptococcal research.