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Slides from a Careers After Biological Sciences talk at the University of Leicester. The speaker was Dr James Lonnen and the subject was technology transfer, specifically the use of microbiological expertise in the testing of, for example, contact lense solutions. (c) James Lonnen, 2009
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Dr James LonnenDept of Infection, Immunity &
InflammationMaurice Shock Bldg
University of Leicester
How did it all start?1997 – 2000: Biological Sciences BSc (Hons.
Microbiology)
November 2000 – Nalco
Multinational water treatment & water hygeine company
Technical Sales Engineer, UK Sales, North East Region
Industrial boilers – Chemical treatmentCooling towers – Control of Legionella bacteria
ResponsibilitiesQuality analysis of systems
The sale of equipment and chemicals to develop existing accounts
Provision of technical and health and safety information to customers
The management of engineers to install or repair chemical dosing systems
Day to DayPatch covered North East EnglandTarget of 4 calls per day
Meet contact on siteCheck dosing systems, quality of waterProvide analysis report, advise on system
maintenanceProduce quotations for new equipment and
chemicalsClose the sale
MAKE MONEY
Transferable Skills Time management, organisation
Communication skills – people at all levelsBoiler men through to company directors
Presentation skills
Sell yourself
Return to LeicesterWanted to move into a more research based fieldNovember 2002 - Research Technician, Dept of
IIILaboratory involved in both research and
commercial work
The testing of disinfectants against a range of microorganisms
Acanthamoeba
Acanthamoeba
Trophozoite
Cyst
PhDWanted to do research on infectious
microorganismsNovember 2003 – Full time (3 years) PhD, Dept
of IIIBBSRC fundedCharacterising the mobile genome of Shigella
Pathogenic bacterium, strain of E. coliCauses dysentery60 million cases per year1 million deaths
Purpose of studyTo detect and identify genetic elements that
confer pathogenicity (toxins, antibiotic resistance) across a panel of unsequenced Shigella strains
To identify novel elements
To gain insights into the distribution of pathogenicity determinants across Shigella
To identify potential targets for novel Shigella-specific antimicrobial therapies
Transferable SkillsMolecular biology – Extracting genomic DNA, cloning
into plasmid vectors, PCR and many more....Bioinformatics – DNA sequence analysis,
manipulation, prediction of protein functionsScientific writing – Reports, papers
Problem solving, analytical thinking, lateral thinkingDetermination, adapt to changes, implement changes
Overall knowledge of the subject area
1st year of PhD - SubwardenBe involved in the University communityCheap rent!
Role Pastoral care and discipline of studentsOrganisation of activities in the hall
Interpersonal, leadership and team working skills
After a PhD??Carry on in academic research? – Postdoctoral
Researcher, Lecturer, Professor.........Move into Industrial Science?Do something completely different?
Most highly educated and skilled group in the UK
Back to the Acanthamoeba lab!!June 2007 – Laboratory Manager, Dept of IIIBoth research and contract work for commercial
clients
Commercial ServicesDisinfectant and drug efficacy testing against
bacteria, fungi, virus and AcanthamoebaContact lens solutions, ISO standardsIsolation and identification of pathogenic free-
living amoeba and bacteria from water samples Microbial analysis of clinical samples
Manager –Acanthamoeba labMy RolePlan and oversee all aspects of commercial work
undertaken in the laboratorySupervise and review the work and results
generated by technical staff Expand existing contractsGenerate new businessDevelop new assays to increase the market target
for commercial enterprises – Acanthamoeba testingProduce protocols, client reports, maintain records
in line with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).
Acanthamoeba KeratitisRare, but very painful and potentially blinding
infection of the cornea, the transparent covering at the front of the eye
85% of cases are associated with contact lens use
Due to patient non compliance
Often misdiagnosedDifficult to treat due to the organisms ability to
encystMost cases result in permanent loss of vision
ClientsEye care companiesPharmaceutical and healthcare companiesSpasWater hygiene companiesOther laboratories who require our specialist
services
Expertise
Any Questions?
