NBN News Feature 5 March 2020

Speaker: Doctor Arthika Manoharan

Qualifications: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Sydney

Speaker Profile:

Arthika is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, having recently completed her PhD in collaboration with Whiteley Corporation, under the supervision of Dr. Theerthankar Das and A/Prof Jim Manos. Her research aims to tackle biofilm formation in recurrent and catheter associated urinary tract infections, using antioxidants to circumvent antibiotic resistance and decipher how these antioxidants influence host-pathogen interactions in the bladder. A microbiologist with extensive immunology experience, Arthika has worked in various projects ranging from studying CAR T cells to antibiotic resistant biofilms. With 6 publications under her belt, Arthika is an enthusiastic early career researcher interested in multidisciplinary research that combines fundamental and translational sciences. She is also an avid advocate for EMCRs in the medical sciences, having served extensively on various EMCR committees university wide and in professional bodies, including ASM.

Topic: Rethinking biofilm treatments in catheter associated urinary tract infections

Presentation Outline: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are a major issue in hospitals and age-care facilities. Biofilm formation in catheters can often result in encrustation and occlusion of the catheter, resulting in lack of urinary drainage and severe dissemination of infection. In my research, we investigated the novel effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on biofilm formation and matrix disruption using an in vitro glass bladder model. Furthermore, we also investigate the influence of NAC in host pathogen interactions, to elucidate how we can influence host cellular interactions to enhance biofilm removal.

Speaker: Professor Slade Jensen

Qualifications: B.Med.Sc. (USyd) PhD. (USyd). FASM

Speaker Profile:

Slade is a Professor of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in the School of Medicine, Western Sydney University and Research Director of the Antibiotic Resistance and Mobile Elements Group, and the Limb Preservation and Wound Research Group, both of which are based at the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research. He obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Sydney focused on the role of horizontal gene transfer in bacterial evolution. His current research interests include the development of novel antimicrobials, the evolution of antibiotic resistance in hospital pathogens, such as ‘Golden Staph’, and the role of host-microbe interactions in disease progression, particularly in the context of diabetes-related foot ulcers.

Topic: Microbes, biofilms and diabetes-related foot ulcers

Presentation Outline: Slade will discuss how his team’s research has assisted in changing the understanding of the pathology of chronic ulceration in diabetic foot infections, from that of infection with planktonic bacteria to that of infection with biofilm. Due to the resistance of biofilms to antimicrobial penetration, increased emphasis is now given to removal of adequate volumes of tissue with debridement and the use of anti-biofilm compounds.

Speaker: Professor Kate Moore

Qualifications: MB BS Syd, MD Liv, FRCOG, FRANZCOG, CU

Speaker Profile:

Arthika is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, having recently completed her PhD in collaboration with Whiteley Corporation, under the supervision of Dr. Theerthankar Das and A/Prof Jim Manos. Her research aims to tackle biofilm formation in recurrent and catheter associated urinary tract infections, using antioxidants to circumvent antibiotic resistance and decipher how these antioxidants influence host-pathogen interactions in the bladder. A microbiologist with extensive immunology experience, Arthika has worked in various projects ranging from studying CAR T cells to antibiotic resistant biofilms. With 6 publications under her belt, Arthika is an enthusiastic early career researcher interested in multidisciplinary research that combines fundamental and translational sciences. She is also an avid advocate for EMCRs in the medical sciences, having served extensively on various EMCR committees university wide and in professional bodies, including ASM.

Topic: Rethinking biofilm treatments in catheter associated urinary tract infections

Presentation Outline: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are a major issue in hospitals and age-care facilities. Biofilm formation in catheters can often result in encrustation and occlusion of the catheter, resulting in lack of urinary drainage and severe dissemination of infection. In my research, we investigated the novel effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on biofilm formation and matrix disruption using an in vitro glass bladder model. Furthermore, we also investigate the influence of NAC in host pathogen interactions, to elucidate how we can influence host cellular interactions to enhance biofilm removal.

Speaker: Associate Professor Greg Whiteley

Qualifications: FEHA, MASM, MSHEA, PhD, M Safety Sc, B App, Dip AICD

Speaker Profile:

Dr Greg Whiteley is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, a Fellow in the School of Medicine at Western Sydney University and is also the Executive Chairman of Whiteley Corporation. Assoc. Prof Whiteley’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Applied Science (Hawkesbury Agricultural College), a Master of Safety Science (University of New South Wales), a Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors (University of New England) and a PhD (Western Sydney University).

Dr Whiteley is a Life Fellow of Environmental Health Australia, a Member of the Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America and is a Member of the Australian Society of Microbiology. He currently serves as a director of the trade association known as ACCORD Australia, and also as an expert consultant to the Infection Control Committee for the Australian Dental Association. He has previously served on HE-023 with Standards Australia.

His on-going research interests focus on biofilms found within healthcare settings, healthcare hygiene and the cleanliness of medical devices. Findings from this research team include publications outlining the extent of biofilm problems within healthcare and other settings, monitoring solutions including ATP testing, and extensive findings on the cleaning and disinfecting implications from biofilms on healthcare surfaces and reusable medical devices.

Dr Whiteley has previously been an Industry Partner for an ARC Grant in conjunction with Macquarie University, a Collaboration Partner Study Director for an iMCRC Grant with the School of Medicine at Sydney University, the Study Director of a CRC-P Grant investigating novel diagnostic and treatment options for wound care co-jointly partnering with AMP Control and the University of Newcastle and Western Sydney University.

Dr Whiteley is currently the Executive Chairman of Whiteley Corporation. He bears ultimate responsibility under Commonwealth Legislation for the Therapeutic Goods registrations and the manufacturing license of the manufacturing location in Tomago. Dr Whiteley has additionally co-authored many patents and peer reviewed publications.

Topic: Advances in Biofilm Testing 

Presentation Outline: This topic will provide an overview into key lessons and research findings on dry surface and wet surface biofilms and their impact on critical healthcare departments. Published research on the presence of biofilms containing viable multi-resistant organisms and the critical role of rigorous cleaning processes to prevent hospital acquired infections (HAI’s). Understanding why cleaning protocols must adapt to account for our new logic of the role of biofilms in bacterial survival and transmission of infections.