Microbial Ecology
Platform Leader: Tim Brocklehurst
The Microbial Ecology Platform will continue to exploit pioneering IFR applied microbiology focused on the inactivation, survival and growth of microorganisms in situ in real foods and in related matrices.
The Platform exploits:
- its historical expertise
- new and existing IFR science to initiate new studies in the food and related industries. Members of the platform have a multidisciplinary approach to their science as well as an extensive working knowledge of industry.
The areas of scientific expertise include:
- the microbial ecology of emulsion foods, gelled foods and surfaces within foods
- development of model experimental systems that mimic real foods, such as the IFR Gel Cassette, which mimics the growth of bacteria in gelled regions of foods
- modelling and measurement of the effects of microbial metabolism on the food environment at a length scale relevant to micro-organisms.
The Microbial Ecology Platform has particular interests in colonial growth and in situ microbiology. Our intention is to develop parallel research strands of underpinning science relevant to the whole scientific community as well as a new thrust towards research applied to the food industry.
As a group, we have published more than 100 refereed papers, articles, book chapters, patents and conference proceedings and members of the Platform have acted as consultants for numerous food companies.
Current focus
The Microbial Ecology Platform has major research activities relevant to the:
- attachment of microorganisms to surfaces (particularly of fruits and vegetables) either as standing crop, prepared products, or as waste streams. Research is currently focused on the prevention of attachment of bacteria harmful to human health and on the enhancement of attachment of beneficial microorganisms.
- response of Salmonella to stresses encountered in the food chain, and particularly the influence of stress on persistence of the organism in the pork production chain
- application of novel processing technologies, particularly cold atmospheric gas plasma.
These projects are funded by IFR, the UK food industry and the European Union.
In addition, the Platform has interests in beneficial microbiology, and applies principles of microbial ecology to the bioconversion of food industry waste streams (in close collaboration with the Sustainability of the Food Chain Platform).
Our current projects include:
- Molecular biology of Salmonella attachment to plant tissues (IFR funded)
- Improved bio-traceability of unintended microorganisms and their substances in food and feed chains (BIOTRACER)
- Novel Processing methods for the production and distribution of high-quality and safe foods (Novel Q, EU-funded Integrated Project)
- Nutritional and Structural Design of Natural Foods for Health and Vitality (Healthy structuring, EU-funded STREP)
- Producing a horticultural growing media peat replacement through the retention of plant structure in composted food-processing waste (Link-funded)
- Functional peat replacement from composted food processing waste (BERR-funded)
- Elaboration of Food Safety Educational Two-level Program – EFFECT (EU-funded)
- A PhD programme funded jointly by IFR and the food industry
Other activities
FHN. Members of the Platform are regular contributors to the IFR’s Food and Health Network (FHN). Staff of the MEEP were founder members of the FHN, and Tim Brocklehurst is currently Head of the Food and Health Network. Accordingly, the Platform has a high profile in the FHN, contributing to FHN dissemination events and has a leading rôle in FHN Direct.
IFR Extra. Platform expertise is relevant to a wide range of short-term needs of the food and related industries. Historically, the Platform has undertaken numerous small research contracts, projects and consultancies. These activities will continue and grow through the auspices of IFR Extra. Tim Brocklehurst is Head of Consulting and Head of Microbiology for IFR Extra and this involvement enables the Platform to offer support to industry by focussing on urgent and short-term needs.
In addition, Tim Brocklehurst is delighted to be Visiting Professor in Food Microbiology at London South Bank University, and to act as a PhD examiner at KU Leuven, the Royal Agricultural and Veterinary University, Copenhagen, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands, Loughborough University and the University of East Anglia, UK. He is also a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Food Microbiology and of The Peer Review College of the Danish Council for Strategic Research.
Contact details
Tim Brocklehurst
Head of Microbial Ecology Exploitation Platform
Institute of Food Research
Norwich Research Park
Colney
Norwich
NR4 7UA
Tel: +44 (0) 1603 255399
Fax: +44 (0) 1603 255288
Email: tim.brocklehurst@ifr.ac.uk
Fax: +44(0)1603 507723 
