Brighton scientist wins W H Pierce prize

Principal lecturer in pharmaceutical microbiology at Brighton University, Jeans-Yves Maillard was recently awarded the Oxoid W H Pierce Prize by the Society For Applied Microbiology (SFAM) for his work on the interactions between biocides and bacterial cells, contributing to a greater understanding of how some micro-organisms are able to withstand the detrimental effect of these agents.

Dr Maillard has gathered evidence, from his own research, of the major mechanisms involved in bacterial resistance to biocides, including impermeability, efflux and, to some extent, adaptation.

Listing these and other possible mechanisms, he explained that very few researchers look at all the possible mechanisms of resistance together.

However, he has found that many bacteria may use a wide range of these mechanisms in order to survive detrimental conditions.

More research is needed, but a better understanding of bacteria/biocide interactions will help to prevent more effectively the emergence of microbial resistance in the future and to design formulations with enhanced antimicrobial activity.

Maillard is also involved in pioneering work on biocide/virus interactions.

"I am delighted and honoured to be the recipient of such a prestigious prize," he commented.

"I feel very privileged that the jury panel thought my scientific contributions worthy of such recognition".

He plans to use the £2000 prize money to purchase some key textbooks in the field of disinfection and sterilisation and to provide a fund to attend international conferences.

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 (Bill) Pierce, former chief bacteriologist of Oxo and long-time member of the SFAM.

Bill Pierce was a pioneer in the development of dehydrated culture media and was a great contributor to the foundation of the Oxoid range.