Dr Heather Felgate

About

My current research is working on the bioremediation of metals as part of the ELEMENTAL Hub. This BBSRC Engineering Biology Hub is focusing on environmental processing and recovery of metals, from contaminated land to industrial biotechnology in a circular economy. My role is to identify genes in bacteria that may enhance the recovery of metals. To do this I am using techniques such as TraDIS-Xpress to create large mutant libraries that can be tested against metal susceptibility, as well as formation of nanoparticles. Working with other collaborators across the Hub, I am helping to create more mutant libraries in various bacteria, as well as looking into expression of genes using RNAseq.

Previous research projects investigated the difference in commensal and pathogenic Staphylococcus spp. in neonates as well as in prosthetic joint infections, identifying AMR genes and key signatures within their genomes as well as creating TraDIS libraries in these notoriously difficult clinical isolates. I have also been involved in evolutionary experiments into Salmonella spp. and stresses involved in the food chain.

My PhD at UEA was focused on Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Molecular Microbiology techniques. Over the years I have not only been a research scientist but also a chef, a barista, and a lecturer, however, being in the lab is my calling and I always tend to come back to it.

Techniques I have picked up over the years include: TraDIS, multiple bioinformatic tools, molecular microbiology, plasmid design, human tissue processing, qRT-PCR, TaqMan, MIC, biofilm growth, continuous cultures (bacterial and colon model), protein purification, enzyme kinetic assays, HPLC, and GC.