John Heritage

Dr John Heritage

BA, York; DPhil, Sussex
Senior Lecturer
Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology

Background: Background:Postdoctoral work at Guy's Hospital Medical School and The University of Bristol. Chartered Biologist, Fellow of the Institute of Biology, until May 2004 Member of the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedstuffs, until July 2003 Member of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes, Member of the Molecular Biology subgroup of the UK Advisory Committee on Release into the Environment, formerly an Expert Adviser to the European Commission Joint Novel Foods Working Group, Member of the MRC Advisory Board. Member of the European Food Safety Authority Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms.

Office: Garstang 6.58
Phone: +44(0) 113 34 35592
Email: email address for Dr John Heritage 

Centre membership: The Antimicrobial Research Centre

Lab: A member of the Heritage_J group

You can read more about Dr Heritage's interests here:
www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/302/5644/401?ijkey=dZVg0P1rW5buo&keytype=ref&siteid=sci

Publications

List Dr Heritage's Publications


Evolutionary relationship of members of the SHV family of beta-lactamases

Silage

Research Interests

Enhanced: Super Sunflowers--Stopping the Rot?


See Dr Heritage's article in Science Magazine.

Evolution and distribution of antibiotic resistance determinants.

Study of prokaryotic mobile genetic elements has led to a long-standing interest in the molecular epidemiology and evolution of antibiotic resistance. The work of longest standing focuses on resistance in clinically-significant Gram-negative bacteria and their resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. This work is in collaboration with clinicians.

Other significant work on antibiotic resistance has included an examination of the evolution and dissemination world-wide of high-level tetracycline resistance in the family Neiseriaceae, particularly Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis. The distribution and regulation of expression of the aac6' gene, encoding netilmicin resistance, in members of the genus Serratia has also been examined.

Current research centres upon the distribution of resistance genes in the general population.

The fate of transgenes in the human gut (PDF: Nature Biotechnology Volume 22, Number 2. Feb 2004) http://www.nature.com/nbt/

Abstract: Enhanced: Super Sunflowers--Stopping the Rot?

Will GM Rapeseed Cut the Mustard? see the article in Science magazine

Abstract: Antibiotic resistance in general dental practice--a cause for concern? (reprint PDF)

Abstract: SHV-34: an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase encoded by an epidemic plasmid (reprint PDF)

 

Current Projects

The Food Standards Agency has funded a recent project examining the stability of a beta-lactamase gene in transgenic maize and silage made from these plants.

 

Studentship information

Principal interests:

  • Enhanced: Super Sunflowers--Stopping the Rot?


    See Dr Heritage's article in Science Magazine.

    Evolution and distribution of antibiotic resistance determinants.

Undergraduate project topics:

  • Antibiotic resistance genes in food
  • alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in animal feeds
  • public perceptions of the microbiological safety of organic foods
  • the use of the internet to deliver teaching material for medical students

Postgraduate studentship areas:

  • The Evolution, Regulation and spread of Genes encoding Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria and Nocosomial Infections

See also: