Personal profile

Research Interests

Our research is focussed on a group of enzymes called transglutaminases. Transglutaminases are found in many different organisms including microbes, plants and mammals. These enzymes are responsible for a variety of post-translational modifications of proteins, in particular cross-linking of proteins into large molecular weight polymers that are more resistant to degradation. In higher organisms such as mammals, this process is important for the stability of skin, hair, blood clots and the extracellular matrix surrounding cells. In spore-forming bacteria, they cross-link spore coat proteins to enhance spore stability to environmental factors such as heat and chemicals, including antibiotics.

We are interested in elucidating the contribution that transglutaminases have to the stability of structures such as spores and/or the cell wall in clinically-relevant bacteria eg Clostridium difficile and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. This knowledge is important for understanding survival and defence mechanisms and may lead to identification of novel antimicrobial targets.

Employment

2009- Lecturer in Molecular Biology

2004-2009- Research Fellow, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University

1999-2004- Research Fellow, School of Biomedical and Natural Sciences, Nottingham Trent University

1996-1999- Higher Scientific Officer, Microbiology department, Veterinary Laboratories Agency (Weybridge)

1992-1995- PhD Molecular biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nottingham

1989-1992- BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and biological chemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nottingham

Contact Details

Tel: +44 (0)121 2044035
Email: r.collighan@aston.ac.uk

Education/Academic qualification

PhD, Molecular Biological Studies on the Iron-Regulated Outer Membrane Proteins of Aeromonas salmonicida, University of Nottingham

Award Date: 1 Apr 1996

BSc, Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry, University of Nottingham

Award Date: 1 Jul 1992

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