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Dr Manon Pritchard
Research Associate
- Welsh speaking
Overview
My research has been focused on elucidating the mode of action of antibiofilm polymer therapies for the treatment of multi-drug resistant bacteria. I currently work on conventional microbiological assays, imaging and modelling (including drug screening, atomic force-, confocal and scanning electron microscopy), but also work “across the conventional boundary” of the biological and engineering sciences. In this I work with engineers and bio-informatics to utilise technologies to study the interaction of polymer therapies with bacterial surfaces and biopolymers to study how we might perturb and treat biofilm infections. This includes dynamic-light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, small angle neutron scattering and rheology. I have gained an understanding of translational research leading to a series of successful publications. Currently, I examine both undergraduate and postgraduate dental students, providing seminars and lectures on microbiology.
Publication
2023
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2023. Structure–activity relationships of low molecular weight alginate oligosaccharide therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biomolecules 13(9), article number: 1366. (10.3390/biom13091366)
- Xue, W. et al. 2023. Defining in vitro topical antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of epoxy-tigliane structures against oral pathogens. Journal of Oral Microbiology 15(1), article number: 2241326. (10.1080/20002297.2023.2241326)
- Powell, L. C. et al. 2023. Alginate oligosaccharides enhance the antifungal activity of nystatin against candidal biofilms. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 13, article number: 1122340. (10.3389/fcimb.2023.1122340)
2022
- Saud, Z. et al. 2022. The SARS-CoV2 envelope differs from host cells, exposes pro-coagulant lipids, and is disrupted in vivo by oral rinses. Journal of Lipid Research 63(6), article number: 100208. (10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100208)
2021
- Oakley, J. L. et al. 2021. Phenotypic and genotypic adaptations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms following long-term exposure to an alginate oligomer therapy. mSphere 6(1), pp. e01216-20. (10.1128/mSphere.01216-20)
2020
- Yang, Q. E. et al. 2020. Compensatory mutations modulate the competitiveness and dynamics of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance in Escherichia coli clones. ISME Journal 14, pp. 861-865. (10.1038/s41396-019-0578-6)
2019
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2019. Mucin structural interactions with an alginate oligomer mucolytic in cystic fibrosis sputum. Vibrational Spectroscopy 103, article number: 102932. (10.1016/j.vibspec.2019.102932)
- Roberts, A., Powell, L., Pritchard, M., Thomas, D. and Jenkins, R. 2019. Anti-pseudomonad activity of manuka honey and antibiotics in a specialized ex vivo model simulating cystic fibrosis lung infection. Frontiers in Microbiology 10, pp. -., article number: 869. (10.3389/fmicb.2019.00869)
2018
- Al-Kadhim, K. A. H., Pritchard, M., Farnell, D., Thomas, D. W., Adams, R. and Claydon, N. 2018. Surgical therapy for peri-implantitis management: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oral Surgery 11(3), pp. 200-212. (10.1111/ors.12344)
- Powell, L. C. et al. 2018. Targeted disruption of the extracellular polymeric network of pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by alginate oligosaccharides. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes 4, article number: 13. (10.1038/s41522-018-0056-3)
- Jack, A. A. et al. 2018. Alginate Oligosaccharide-Induced Modification of the lasI-lasR and rhlI-rhlR Quorum Sensing Systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 62(5), article number: e02318-17. (10.1128/AAC.02318-17)
2017
- Yang, Q. et al. 2017. Balancing mcr-1 expression and bacterial survival is a delicate equilibrium between essential cellular defence mechanisms. Nature Communications 8, article number: 2054. (10.1038/s41467-017-02149-0)
- Pritchard, M., Jack, A., Powell, L., Sadh, H., Hill, K. E., Thomas, D. W. and Rye, P. D. 2017. Alginate Oligosaccharides modify hyphal infiltration of Candida albicans in an in vitro model of invasive Human Candidosis. Journal of Applied Microbiology 123(3), pp. 625-636. (10.1111/jam.13516)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2017. A low-molecular-weight alginate oligosaccharide disrupts pseudomonal microcolony formation and enhances antibiotic effectiveness. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 61(9), article number: e00762-17. (10.1128/AAC.00762-17)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2017. The antimicrobial effects of the alginate oligomer OligoG CF-5/20 are independent of direct bacterial cell membrane disruption. Scientific Reports 7, article number: 44731. (10.1038/srep44731)
2016
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2016. A new class of safe oligosaccharide polymer therapy to modify the mucus barrier of chronic respiratory disease. Molecular Pharmaceutics 13(3), pp. 863-872. (10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00794)
2014
- Tondervik, A. et al. 2014. Alginate oligosaccharides inhibit fungal cell growth and potentiate the activity of anti-fungals against Candida and Aspergillus spp. PLoS ONE, article number: e112518. (10.1371/journal.pone.0112518)
- Pritchard, M. 2014. OligoG alginate nanomedicine mediated disruption of mucin barriers and microbial biofilms. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
- Powell, L. C. et al. 2014. A nanoscale characterization of the interaction of a novel alginate oligomer with the cell surface and motility of pseudomonas aeruginosa. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology 50(3), pp. 483-492. (10.1165/rcmb.2013-0287OC)
2013
- Roberts, J. L. et al. 2013. An in vitro study of alginate oligomer therapies on oral biofilms. Journal of Dentistry 41(10), pp. 892-899. (10.1016/j.jdent.2013.07.011)
2012
- Pritchard, M., Kelly, G. and Thompson, S. 2012. A critical appraisal of the literature on Palatal Plate Therapy for orofacial dysfunction in patients with Down syndrome. Journal of Disability and Oral Health 13, pp. 5-14.
- Kelly, G., Pritchard, M. and Thompson, S. 2012. The use of orofacial regulation therapy, including Palatal Plate Therapy, in the management of orofacial dysfunction in patients with Down syndrome. Journal of Disability and Oral Health 14(1), pp. 15-24. (10.4483/JDOH_015Kelly10)
Articles
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2023. Structure–activity relationships of low molecular weight alginate oligosaccharide therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biomolecules 13(9), article number: 1366. (10.3390/biom13091366)
- Xue, W. et al. 2023. Defining in vitro topical antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of epoxy-tigliane structures against oral pathogens. Journal of Oral Microbiology 15(1), article number: 2241326. (10.1080/20002297.2023.2241326)
- Powell, L. C. et al. 2023. Alginate oligosaccharides enhance the antifungal activity of nystatin against candidal biofilms. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 13, article number: 1122340. (10.3389/fcimb.2023.1122340)
- Saud, Z. et al. 2022. The SARS-CoV2 envelope differs from host cells, exposes pro-coagulant lipids, and is disrupted in vivo by oral rinses. Journal of Lipid Research 63(6), article number: 100208. (10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100208)
- Oakley, J. L. et al. 2021. Phenotypic and genotypic adaptations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms following long-term exposure to an alginate oligomer therapy. mSphere 6(1), pp. e01216-20. (10.1128/mSphere.01216-20)
- Yang, Q. E. et al. 2020. Compensatory mutations modulate the competitiveness and dynamics of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance in Escherichia coli clones. ISME Journal 14, pp. 861-865. (10.1038/s41396-019-0578-6)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2019. Mucin structural interactions with an alginate oligomer mucolytic in cystic fibrosis sputum. Vibrational Spectroscopy 103, article number: 102932. (10.1016/j.vibspec.2019.102932)
- Roberts, A., Powell, L., Pritchard, M., Thomas, D. and Jenkins, R. 2019. Anti-pseudomonad activity of manuka honey and antibiotics in a specialized ex vivo model simulating cystic fibrosis lung infection. Frontiers in Microbiology 10, pp. -., article number: 869. (10.3389/fmicb.2019.00869)
- Al-Kadhim, K. A. H., Pritchard, M., Farnell, D., Thomas, D. W., Adams, R. and Claydon, N. 2018. Surgical therapy for peri-implantitis management: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oral Surgery 11(3), pp. 200-212. (10.1111/ors.12344)
- Powell, L. C. et al. 2018. Targeted disruption of the extracellular polymeric network of pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by alginate oligosaccharides. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes 4, article number: 13. (10.1038/s41522-018-0056-3)
- Jack, A. A. et al. 2018. Alginate Oligosaccharide-Induced Modification of the lasI-lasR and rhlI-rhlR Quorum Sensing Systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 62(5), article number: e02318-17. (10.1128/AAC.02318-17)
- Yang, Q. et al. 2017. Balancing mcr-1 expression and bacterial survival is a delicate equilibrium between essential cellular defence mechanisms. Nature Communications 8, article number: 2054. (10.1038/s41467-017-02149-0)
- Pritchard, M., Jack, A., Powell, L., Sadh, H., Hill, K. E., Thomas, D. W. and Rye, P. D. 2017. Alginate Oligosaccharides modify hyphal infiltration of Candida albicans in an in vitro model of invasive Human Candidosis. Journal of Applied Microbiology 123(3), pp. 625-636. (10.1111/jam.13516)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2017. A low-molecular-weight alginate oligosaccharide disrupts pseudomonal microcolony formation and enhances antibiotic effectiveness. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 61(9), article number: e00762-17. (10.1128/AAC.00762-17)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2017. The antimicrobial effects of the alginate oligomer OligoG CF-5/20 are independent of direct bacterial cell membrane disruption. Scientific Reports 7, article number: 44731. (10.1038/srep44731)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2016. A new class of safe oligosaccharide polymer therapy to modify the mucus barrier of chronic respiratory disease. Molecular Pharmaceutics 13(3), pp. 863-872. (10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00794)
- Tondervik, A. et al. 2014. Alginate oligosaccharides inhibit fungal cell growth and potentiate the activity of anti-fungals against Candida and Aspergillus spp. PLoS ONE, article number: e112518. (10.1371/journal.pone.0112518)
- Powell, L. C. et al. 2014. A nanoscale characterization of the interaction of a novel alginate oligomer with the cell surface and motility of pseudomonas aeruginosa. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology 50(3), pp. 483-492. (10.1165/rcmb.2013-0287OC)
- Roberts, J. L. et al. 2013. An in vitro study of alginate oligomer therapies on oral biofilms. Journal of Dentistry 41(10), pp. 892-899. (10.1016/j.jdent.2013.07.011)
- Pritchard, M., Kelly, G. and Thompson, S. 2012. A critical appraisal of the literature on Palatal Plate Therapy for orofacial dysfunction in patients with Down syndrome. Journal of Disability and Oral Health 13, pp. 5-14.
- Kelly, G., Pritchard, M. and Thompson, S. 2012. The use of orofacial regulation therapy, including Palatal Plate Therapy, in the management of orofacial dysfunction in patients with Down syndrome. Journal of Disability and Oral Health 14(1), pp. 15-24. (10.4483/JDOH_015Kelly10)
Thesis
- Pritchard, M. 2014. OligoG alginate nanomedicine mediated disruption of mucin barriers and microbial biofilms. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Research
Research funding
- Venture Life Group plc. Co-I.Measurement of mouthwash anti-viral activity against COVID-19 (MOMA), £73,501 (08/07/2020-08/02/2021)
- GW4 Seed corn funding. Co-I.Precision maggot therapy against key cystic fibrosis pathogens, £4,793.97 (01/09/2020-31/03/2021)
- Sêr Cymru Infrastructure accelerator award. Co-IGel documentation or gel imaging system for multidisciplinary users across the Oral and Biomedical Science Theme, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University. iBright Imaging system CL1500 – ThermoFisher Scientific, £16,712.48 (01/06/2020-28/02/2023)
- European Social Fund, KESS2 PhD. Co-I. Developing novel technologies to model the effects of therapies on bacterial biofilms, £88,634 (01/10/2019 to 31/09/2022)
- Sêr Cymru II Fellowship, PI. The development of in vitro models of respiratory biofilm assembly to develop novel antimicrobial therapies, £165,000 (01/06/18 to 31/05/21)
- Industrial collaborative project, Qbiotics, Co-I. Novel therapeutics for the treatment of multi-drug resistant wound infections, £281,715 (01/10/2016 to 31/12/2018)
- Industrial collaborative project, Qbiotics, Co-I. Screening of EBC-46 analogues using in-vitro biofilm models, £3,000 (18/05/2015 to 01/09/2015)
- Travel grant, European Cystic Fibrosis Society, PI. Fluorescent conjugation for localisation in a mucoid pseudomonal biofilm, £300 (10/06/15 to 13/06/15)
- Small Angle Neutron Scattering experiments, ILL, Grenoble, Co-I. Investigating the solution conformation and mechanism of action of alginate oligosaccharides, £19,699 (20/11/2012 to 23/11/2012)
- European Social Fund, KESS PhD Scholarship. A study of the ability of OligoG alginate nanomedicines to disrupt bacterial biofilms, £91,000 (01/10/2011 to 31/09/2014)
Teaching
Teaching commitments
PhD student: "Developing novel technologies to model the effects of therapies on bacterial biofilms" Jennifer Adams (European Social Fund, KESS2)
MD student: The paediatric cystic fibrosis lung: understanding the evolving microbiome, antimicrobial resistance and novel approaches to treatment
MSc Implantology 2011-present: Lecturing, examining and marking on the cellular and molecular biology module
MSc Implantology 2015-present: Supervision of dissertation projects (5 students to date)
Dental undergraduates: Seminar teaching in oral microbiology, exam marking and viva examiner
Teaching courses
2014: Advanced Teaching Skills: Stimulating, Lively and High Yield Learning through the. Use of Interactive and Innovative Teaching Approaches: Harvard University, USA
Biography
Career overview
- 2018-present: Sêr Cymru II Research Fellow
- 2014-2018: Post-doctoral research associate with an honorary clinical contract
- 2011- 2014: EU-funded KESS PhD student, Cardiff School of Dentistry, Wales (GDP 0.2 fte)
- 2010-2011: Dental Foundation Year 2:
- SHO Maxillofacial Surgery on-call (Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales)
- SHO Paediatric Dentistry (Cardiff School of Dentistry, Wales) - 2009-2010: Dental Foundation Year 1 (General Dental Practitioner, 29 Park Crescent, Barry, Wales)
Education and qualification
- 2011-2014: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Cardiff School of Dentistry, Wales
"OligoG alginate nanomedicine mediated disruption of mucin barriers and microbial biofilms" - 2013: Member of the Faculty of Dental Surgeons (MFDS), Royal College of Edinburgh
- 2004-2009: First Class Honours, Bachelor of Dental surgery (BDS), Cardiff School of Dentistry, Wales
Honours and awards
2017 Medical Impact and Innovation award, Cardiff University (Research Group award)
2015 Poster prize: Cardiff and Vale UHB Research and Development Conference. Cardiff, UK (1st prize awarded).
2013 Poster Prize: European Tissue Repair Society. Reims, France (1st prize awarded).
2012 Poster prize: Welsh Microbiology & Infection Translational Research Group (2nd prize awarded).
2012 Oral Presentation: Cardiff University 27th Annual Life Sciences Postgraduate Research Day. Cardiff, UK (1st prize awarded).
2012 Cesare Romano Award for Cystic Fibrosis Research (New Therapies): 35th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference. Dublin, Ireland.
2006 Freda Berg Prize in Oral Biology: School of Dentistry, Cardiff, UK.
2006 Undergraduate Scholarship for ‘Best performance in first year’: Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
2005 Louis Cohen Prize for Anatomy: School of Dentistry, Cardiff, UK.
Professional memberships
- General Dental Council (GDC)
- Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
- Cardiff Institute for Tissue Engineering & Repair
- European Tissue Repair Society (ETRS)
Committe membership
- Review Editor on the Editorial Board of the ‘Oral Surgery' Section of Frontiers in Oral Health.
- Research Committee, Cardiff School of Dentistry.
- European Tissue Repair Society
- Welsh Dental Committee