Current Research

His research is concentrated on investigating the genetic basis for transferable antimicrobial resistance and virulence, predominantly in the Firmicutes. In addition he has a long standing interest in mobile genetic elements (MGEs) found throughout all domains of life. During his investigations new mobile genetic elements have been discovered and characterized. One family of mobile elements that Adam is particularly interested in is the "conjugative transposons" or "integrative conjugative elements". These common and highly promiscuous mobile elements can transfer antibiotic resistance genes from one species of bacteria to another.

Adam has also demonstrated transfer of conjugative transposons within oral biofilms. There is strong evidence that mobility of these elements may be stimulated by the presence of the antibiotic which they confer resistance to. To this end, his other main area of research is the investigation of the transcriptional and translational control mechanisms of these mobile elements.

Adam is currently involved in projects investigating the contribution of mobile genetic elements to, and the molecular basis of virulence of Clostridium difficile. Additionally he has projects investigating the emergence and persistence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans and the molecular evolution of mobile genetic elements and their biological cost to the host cell.

His group is currently funded by the European Union, the Schlumberger Foundation flagship program; Faculty for the Future, DEFRA and UCL.

Current Group

Postdoctoral Staff

Dr Mohammed Al-Haroni (Marie Curie Fellow); biological cost of MGEs in enterococci

PhD students

Ms Lisa Bishop; Antibiotic resistance and MGEs
Ms Enas Newire; Antibiotic resistance and MGEs
Mr Liam Reynolds; Metagenomics

Previous members of the group (and where they are now);

Dr Amitabha Bhattacharjee; (Assam University, India)
Dr Michael Brouwer
Dr Lena Ciric; (UCL, UK)
Dr Azmiza Jasni; (Universiti Putra Malaysia)
Dr Francesco Santoro; (Siena University, Italy)
Ms Maria Amalie Seier-Petersen; (Technical University of Denmark & National Food Institute, Denmark)
Dr Xiaobo Song; (Tromsø University, Norway)
Dr Philip Warburton; (Anglia Ruskin University, UK)
Dr Rachael Whalan
Dr Rachel Williams; (UCL, UK)

Research Opportunities

In Adam's lab there are currently projects available investigating various aspects of mobile genetic elements and antimicrobial resistance. Potential MSc and PhD students and individuals suitable for personal fellowships should contact Adam directly.

Related sites

Tn number Registry; http://www.ucl.ac.uk/eastman/research/departments/microbial-diseases/tn

Mobile Genetic Elements; http://www.landesbioscience.com/journals/mge/