Professor Jean-Yves Maillard

Publication

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Research

Research Interests

My research interest concerns antimicrobials and particularly biocides; their activity, mechanisms of action, the emergence of microbial resistance and cross-resistance to antimicrobials and the development of efficacy test protocols mimicking the real world applications.

A number of projects concern dry surface biofilms (DSB). These biofilms found on environmental dry surface are widespread in healthcare settings. We found that pathogens can be embedded in these DSB. Concurrently, we have developed protocols to form single and dual species DSB to understand their formation but also their susceptibility to biocidal products and the impact if interventions on their transfer between surfaces. This is a new field of research which is really interesting and may have some significant impacts on healthcare associated infections.

Key expertise

• Expertise in using diverse biosafety-level -2 microorganisms including bacteria, mycobacteria, bacterial endospores (including C. difficile), mammalian viruses (coronavirus, adenovirus, poliovirus, etc), bacteriophages, yeasts (including C. auris), moulds and protozoa. This includes working with multi-drug resistant microorganisms, microbial biofilm and dry surface biofilms
• Expertise in using standard efficacy tests; British Standard-European Norm tests, ASTM, ISO and EPA efficacy tests
• Understanding efficacy of biocidal products including antimicrobial surfaces
• Understanding mechanisms of action of biocides
• Understanding the development of microbial resistance to biocides and to chemotherapeutic antibiotics
• Expertise in biocidal product formulations
• Development of Intelligent test design for rapid efficacy testing of new biocidal products
• Development of ad hoc efficacy test protocols mimicking real world applications.

Current Research Group

• Dr Katarzyna Ledwoch
• Dr Andrea Castelli
• Dr Mike Pascoe
• Mrs Rebecca Cuming
• Miss Isabella Centeleghe
• Mr Andrew Robertson

Ongoing and recent projects

Ongoing research

Sêr Cymru: Disinfection of Surfaces Using Novel Catalysis. This project, in collaboration with Cardiff Catalysis Institute and Selden, investigates novel solution for the disinfection of surfaces against bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens including the human coronavirus 229E. Collaborators: Prof. G.J. Hutchings (School of Chemistry), Dr J.K. Edwards (School of Chemistry), Dr A. Folli (School of Chemistry), Dr R. Lewis (School of Chemistry) and Prof. D. Murphy (School of Chemistry)

Sêr Cymru: Active Virus Filtration Membranes. This project in collaboration with the School of Physics and Astronomy, investigates patented water filtration technology and repurpose it for air filtration such as in facemasks and air conditioning units aiming to control viral pathogens including SARS. Collaborators: Prof. O.A. Williams (School of Physics and Astronomy), Dr J.K. Edwards (School of Chemistry) and Dr A. Crayford (School of Engineering).

EPSRC: Rapid Catalytic Disinfection of Surfaces, PPE and Transportation. In collaboration with Selden. Collaborators: Prof. G.J. Hutchings (School of Chemistry), Dr J.K. Edwards (School of Chemistry), Dr A. Folli (School of Chemistry), Dr R. Lewis (School of Chemistry).

Knowledge Transfer Partnership: Novel Antimicrobial Surfaces to Prevent Microbial Pathogens Survival on Surfaces in Healthcare Settings. Cardiff University in collaboration with GAMA Healthcare. Collaborator: Prof. S. Evans (School of Engineering)

GAMA Healthcare /Cardiff University:  Understanding the Resilience of Dry Environmental Biofilm to Disinfection. This project takes a closer look at dry surface biofilms from healthcare settings and the importance of environmental contaminants in providing protection to pathogens from biocidal products. Collaborator: Dr L. Hughes (School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences)

Reckitt Benckiser: Understanding the Risk of Emerging Bacterial Resistance to sore throat OTC Topical Antibiotics. This project investigates the impact of OTC antibiotics in sore throat products on emerging multi drug resistance in bacterial pahogens. Collaborator: Dr E. Mantzourani (School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences)

GAMA Healthcare: Development of a Drain Biofilm Model.

GW4/MRC BioMed DTP: Triggered Bacteriophage Release for Treatment of Wound Infection. Bath University in collaboration with Cardiff University: This proof-of-concept project explores the on-demand release of anti-staphylococcal bacteriophages as a result of Staphylococcus aureus infection. Collaborator: Dr T. Jenkins (University of Bath)

Laboratoires Anios (France): Anti-Biofilm Technology.

Foundation for Science and Technology, Portugal: Development of Biocide Formulations Based on Phytochemical Products for surface Disinfection. Collaborator: Prof.  M. Simões (Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal)

Recent projects

Accelerate UK: Developing Infection Control Protocols for the Safe Deployment of VR in Healthcare. In collaboration with Rescape Innovation Ltd. Collaborators: UWTSD’s Assistive Technologies Innovation Centre (ATiC) and Cardiff University’s Clinical Innovation Accelerator (CIA)

EPSRC IAA: Surfoxidants for Universal Decontamination. In collaboration with GAMA Healthcare. Collaborator: Dr I. Fallis (School of Chemistry)

Knowledge Transfer Partnership: Virucidal & Tuberculocidal Formulation Design. (Cardiff University/GAMA Healthcare): Cardiff University in collaboration with GAMA Healthcare.

L’Oreal Paris: Identifying the Genetic Basis for Susceptibility and Resistance to Proprietary Preservatives Targeting Burkholderia cepacia complex Bacteria. Collaborators: Prof. E. Mahenthiraligham (School of Biosciences), Dr L. Rushton (School of Biosciences)

GAMA Healthcare in collaboration with Cardiff University: Development of an Advanced Surfoxidant Formulation for the Decontamination of Contaminated Surfaces. Collaborators: Dr I. Fallis (School of Chemistry), Prof. P,J. de Pablo (Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid)

Healthcare Infection Society: Effect of Commonly Used Antimicrobial Biocides in Healthcare Settings on the Maintenance and Transfer of Multidrug Resistance Genes in Gram-negative Bacteria. Collaborators: Prof. N. Woodford (PHE, Colindale), Dr K. Hopkins (PHE, Colindale), Dr J.M. Sutton (PHE, Porton Down)

Laboratoires Anios (France): Photodynamic High-level Disinfection for Medical Surfaces. Collaborators: Prof. A. Porch (School of Engineering)

Laboratoires Anios (France): Catalytic Production of Hydrogen Peroxide for in situ Sterilisation in Medical Applications. Collaborators: Prof. G.J. Hutchings (School of Chemistry), Dr A. Folli (School of Chemistry), Dr R. Lewis (School of Chemistry), Dr S. Freakley (School of Chemistry)

Teaching

Undergraduate MPharm course

I lecture on topics related to Pharmaceutical Microbiology

1st year:  PH1123: Structure and Function of Cells and Microbes. Basic microbiology including parasitology, pathogenicity, sources of contamination, exploitation of microorganisms

2nd year: PH2107: Formulation Science 1. Preservative systems

3rd year: PH3101: Optimisation of Drug Design. Chemotherapeutic antibiotics, antifungals, microbial resistance

3rd year: PH3114: Design, Formulation and Quality Assurance of Medicinal Products. Sterilisation processes

4th year: PH4416: Pharmacy Research or Scholarship Project

4th year: PH4117: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Practice and the Population

Postgraduate students

Current postgraduate research students

• Isabella Centeleghe: Understanding the Resilience of Dry Environmental Biofilm to Disinfection
• Andrew Robertson: Understanding the Risk of Emerging Bacterial Resistance to sore throat OTC Topical Antibiotics
• Lauren Gwynne: Triggered Bacteriophage Release for Treatment of Wound Infection

Past postgraduate research students

• Joana Malheiro (2016-2020) Development of Biocide Formulations Based on Phytochemical Products for surface Disinfection
• Helene Herault (2016-2020) Effect of Commonly Used Antimicrobial Biocides in Healthcare Settings on the Maintenance and Transfer of Multidrug Resistance Genes in Gram-negative Bacteria
• Melissa Fallon (2016-2019) Development of an advanced surfoxidant formulation for the decontamination of contaminated surfaces
• Grzegorz Suldecki (2016-2020) Catalytic Production of Hydrogen Peroxide for in situ Sterilisation in Medical Applications
• Mike Pascoe (2016-2020) Photodynamic High-level Disinfection for Medical Surfaces
• Zahraa Hashim (2015-2019) Investigating the Potential of Biosurfactants in the Control of Tooth Infections.
• Kerry Guest (2011-2016) Bacterial resistance to biocides: an assessment of resistance mechanisms and method development.
• Michelle OJeil (2010-2014) Biocide impregnated surface materials for use in clinical areas – under what conditions do they work?
• Laura Knapp (2010-2014) Bacterial resistance to biocides: an assessment of resistance and mechanisms
• Madhan Mohan Natarajan (2010-2016) Characterisation of pulpal responses to bacterial challenge and novel antimicrobials for management of bacterial contamination of infected pulps and root canals
• Ezra Linley (2008-2012) Understanding the interactions of oxidizing agents with macromolecules and microbial cell components
• Jenna Bowen (2008-2012) Detection of Lipopolysaccharide pyrogens by molecularly-imprinted polymers
• Callum Cooper (2007-2010) Controlled delivery of bacterial viruses for the eradication of bacterial infection
• Keely Cheeseman (2006-2009) Surveillance of susceptibility profile to antiseptics in ITU isolates of Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA
• Federica Pinto (2006-2009) Mechanisms of viricidal action of polyhexamethylene biguanide
• Jessica Roberts (2006-2009) Ex-vivo modelling of antimicrobial control measures in pulpal disease. Joint with School of Dentistry (Richard Whipp studentship)
• Deborah Martin (2005-2008) Understanding survival in, and the development of microbial resistance to, high-level disinfectants
• Alexandra Henein (2003-2007) The potential of bacteriophage therapy in Acinetobacter spp. infections (University of Brighton), writing up
• Bee Ann Yeep (2003-2007) Novel dendrimer-functionalised surfaces for fast DNA detection and extraction (University of Brighton)
• Jennifer Shackelford (2003-2006) Investigation into the activity of ortho-phthalaldehyde against biofilm bacteria using an in vitro model system (University of Brighton)
• Hannah Pearce (2002-2005) The preservation of complex oral liquids (University of Brighton)
• Teresa Gallagher (2002-2005) Light activated antibiotic delivery to control microbial colonisation of medical devices (University of Brighton)
• Alison Cottell (2001-2004) Understanding bacterial resistance to biocides: study of the effects of sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations on bacterial growth (University of Brighton)
• Caroline Codling (2000-2003) Mechanisms of the antimicrobial action of Poliquad and Aldox.
• Emma Rees (2000-2003) Mechanisms of mycobacterial resistance to biocides.
• Margarita Gomez-Escalada (1999-2002) Diphenyl-ethers mode of action and possible relation with antibiotic resistance.
• Sebastien Fraud (1999-2002) Mechanisms of the mycobactericidal action of ortho-phthalaldehyde
• Syndie Messager (1998-2001) Development of an "ex-vivo" test to study microbial survival on human skin and antimicrobial formulations with an antiseptic property.
• John Lear (1998-2001): Possible linked biocide-antibiotic resistance in bacteria
• Louise Thomas (1998-2001) Development of resistance to chlorhexidine diacetate in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the effect of a 'residual' concentration.
• Caroline Huntley (1997-2000) Novel RNA binding agents.
• Susannah Walsh (1996-1999): Studies on the antibacterial activity and mechanisms of action of ortho-phthalaldehyde: a possible alternative to glutaraldehyde for high level disinfection

Biography

After completing a PhD on "the mechanisms of action biocides against viruses" at the Welsh School of Pharmacy, and a brief spell as an officer in the French Health Corp (St Anne' hospital, Toulon, France), I was fortunate to be appointed as a Lecturer at the Welsh School of Pharmacy at Cardiff.

In 2001, I accepted a position of Senior Lecturer at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at Brighton, before returning to Cardiff in 2004. My return to Cardiff enabled me to redevelop Pharmaceutical Microbiology Research within the Welsh School of Pharmacy. I was made Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology in July 2013.

Currently I am a Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

I am also the Director of the Cardiff Institute for Tissue Engineering and Repair.

I am the Chair of the British Standard Institute CH/216/0-/01 group on antimicrobial hard surface.

I am the Chief editor of Letters in Applied Microbiology and a member to the editorial board of the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

Key policy documents and white papers

Over the years I have been fortunate to be able to contribute to a number of policy documents and white papers as an external independent expert.

• Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR; DG-SANCO; European Commission) 2009: Assessment of the Antibiotic Resistance Effects of Biocides.
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European Medicines Agency (EMEA), SCENIHR 2009. Joint Opinion on Antimicrobial Resistance focussed on zoonotic infections
• SCENIHR 2010: Research strategy to address the knowledge gaps on the antimicrobial resistance effects of biocides
• EFSA 2010: Revision of the joint AFC/BIOHAZ guidance document on the submission of data for the evaluation of the safety and efficacy of substances for the removal of microbial surface contamination of foods of animal origin intended for human consumption
• Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS; DG-SANCO; European Commission) 2011. Opinion on Triclosan antimicrobial resistance
• White paper published in Microbial Drug resistance (2013). Does Microbicide Use in Consumer Products Promote Antimicrobial Resistance? A Critical Review and Recommendations for a Cohesive Approach to Risk Assessment. Microbial Drug Resistance 19(5), 344-354
• SCENIHR 2014. Opinion pinion on silver and nano-silver; Nanosilver: Safety, Health and Environmental Effects and Role in Antimicrobial Resistance
• Maillard J-Y, Bloomfield SF, Courvalin P, Gandra S, Gerba CP, Rubino JR, Scott EA. (2020) Reducing antibiotic prescribing and addressing the global problem of antibiotic resistance by targeted hygiene in the home and everyday life settings: A Position Paper. American Journal of Infection Control, 2020 doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.04.011
• Lepelletier, D, Maillard J-Y, Pozzetto B, Simon A. (2020) Povidone Iodine: Properties, Mechanisms of Action and Role in Infection Control and Staphylococcus aureus Decolonization. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2020: DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00682-20

Efficacy test standards

I contributed to the development of two efficacy test standards. The ASTM E2967 standard is specific for the testing of antimicrobial wipes and encompass for the first time a test measuring the potential transfer from the product post-wiping to other surfaces. This prompted our during use recommendation of “ one wipe, one application per surface policy “ in 2009 which later became “one, wipe, one surface, one direction, bin it”.

• Clostridium difficile sporicidal efficacy test UK standard (2015), published in the Journal of Hospital Infection 89(1): 2-15
• ASTM International (2013). Standard Test Method to test Pre-wetted Towelettes for their ability to decontaminate Hard, Non-Porous Environmental Surfaces using the Wiperator – ASTM E2967

Leadership in learned societies

2019- present: I served as an independent advisor in the setting up of the Safe Disinfectant Network which aims to improve public heath guidance, better hygiene awareness and effective disinfectant products.

2014-present: I am serving as a committee member to ‘antimicrobial surface’ task group proposed by the British Standard Institute, with the objective to recommend an appropriate efficacy test for antimicrobial surfaces.

2006-present:  I continue to select the recipient for, and host, the annual AD Russell’s Memorial Teleclass lecture

2006-present: I continue to select the recipient for, and present the prize for, the annual AD Russell Lecture hosted by the Society for Applied Microbiology at the Royal Society (London).

2014-2016: I have served as a scientific advisor to the Healthcare Infection Society/ Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection task group on sporicidal testing, with the objective to recommend an efficacy test to be used in the UK.

2013-2015: I have served as a scientific advisor for the Welsh NHS Procurement Services for specific biocidal products, with the endeavour to ensure that biocidal products to be purchased are effective in situ.

2016: I have served as a scientific advisor for the England NHS Procurement Services for wetted wipe biocidal products, with the endeavour to ensure that biocidal products to be purchased are effective in situ.

2000-2003: I served on the executive committee of the Society for Applied Microbiology (SfAM)

Honours and awards

I have been fortunate to be the recipients of a number of awards, some of chich were in recognition of a successful partnership with industrial collaborators.

In 2020: I was the finalist for the Best Knowledge Transfer Partnership category of the KTP Best of the Best Awards 2020, and finalist for the St David Awards 2020 in the category Innovation, Science and Technology.

2016: Nominated for the Time Higher Education Business-Education Award 2016; for business partnership with GAMA Healthcare.

2015: Insider’s Business and Education Partnerships Awards 2015 in the category of ‘Research and Development’. The award celebrates collaboration between companies, universities and colleges across Wales.

2015: Cardiff Innovation Impact Award- Business & Innovation Award. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Cardiff University and GAMA Healthcare has enabled the company to sustain its product development portfolio and remain at the forefront of innovation, whilst increasing the University's international reputation in infection control research.

2015: Cardiff Innovation Impact Award- People Choice Award. A partnership which developed clinical wet wipes to tackle hospital 'superbug' infections has been named the People's Choice at Cardiff University's Innovation and Impact Awards 2015. Nearly 1,000 votes were cast in a social media competition. More than a quarter selected a project between GAMA Healthcare and the University as the public's favourite.

2021: AD Russell Memorial Lecture Award - This lecture award is given at the annual January Conference by a microbiologist who has made substantial contribution to the field of Applied Microbiology. This Memorial Lecture was instituted in 2005 to commemorate the life and works of the late A. Denver Russell (1936-2004), Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and a long-time member of the Society.

2021 AD Russell Memorial Teleclass Lecture Award. This lecture award is given annually by a microbiologist who has made substantial contribution to the field of Applied Microbiology. This Memorial Teleclass Lecture Award was instituted in 2011 to commemorate the life and works of the late A. Denver Russell (1936-2004), Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and contributor to the Teleclass program.

2017: Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain Academic Excellence Award (joint recipient)

2004: British Pharmaceutical Conference Science Medal. An award given under the auspices of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences for a scientist working in a pharmaceutical or allied discipline in industry or academia, who has a proven record of independent research and whose published work shows outstanding promise.  Invitations for this award are invited world-wide.

2004 W.H Pierce Memorial prize. This prestigious prize is awarded each year at the annual Summer Conference to the young microbiologist (under 40) who has made a substantial contribution to the science of applied microbiology.

Professional memberships

• Member of the Society for Applied Microbiology
• Member of the Healthcare Infection Society
• Member of the CH/216/0-/01 Antimicrobial Hard Surfaces group
• Member of the AHRAI/HIS Task force on sporicidal disinfectants (2010)
• External scientific expert of the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR – European Commission) (2007-2010)
• External scientific expert of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS – European Commission) (2009-2010)
• Hearing scientific expert of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (2009-2010)

Academic positions

2008-2013: Reader in Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University

2004 - 2008: Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University

2004: Principal Lecturer and Reader in Pharmaceutical Microbiology, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at the University of Brighton

2001-2004: Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Microbiology, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at the University of Brighton

1995-2001: Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University

Committees and reviewing

Editorship

• Chief Editor of Letters in Applied Microbiology
• Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Antimicrobial chemotherapy
• Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Applied Microbiology

Reviewer for peer-reviewed journals

I review manuscripts for journals including: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Journal of Hospital Infection, American Journal of Infection Control; Frontiers in Microbiology; PlosOne, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Journal of Virology, the Journal of Virological Methods, Microbiology, Bioresource Technology; Canadian Journal of Microbiology; European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry; Biofouling; FEMS Microbiology Letters, Journal of Bacteriology, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Water Research, the Journal of Drug Targeting, Journal of AOAC International, the Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Frontiers in Microbiology.

Reviewer for grant application

I am reviewing grant applications for UK, European and overseas funding bodies including: BBSRC, MRC, EPSRC, DoH, Healthcare Infection Society, PNRA (Programme de Recherche en Alimentation et Nutrition Humaine (ANR-INRA)), National Research Program on Food and Food-Industries (ALIA), Czech Foundation for Research (Czech Republic), ZonMW (The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development), the Innovation and Technology Fund (Hong-Kong), JPI-AMR; Agence Nationale de la Recherche (Paris, France), NIH (National Institute of Health, USA), NBIC, Academy of Finland.

Member panel grant

2018-present: NBIC

2015-2018: JPI-AMR (co-chair in 2017 and 2018)