51吃瓜app

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Professor Katie Laird

Job: Professor of Microbiology, Head of the Infectious Disease Research Group

Faculty: Health and Life Sciences

School/department: Leicester School of Pharmacy

Address: De 51吃瓜app University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH.

T: +44 (0)116 207 8106

E: klaird@dmu.ac.uk

W: /hls

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Personal profile

Prof Katie Laird is a Professor of Microbiology in the School of Pharmacy and Head of the Infectious Disease Research Group at De 51吃瓜app University. She has a BSc (Hons) in Biology and obtained a PhD in applied microbiology in 2008.

Her research is centred on the prevention of transmission of healthcare acquired infections including the development of novel antimicrobials. A particular focus of Prof Laird’s research is on the role of healthcare textiles as fomites, her research has raised international awareness of the risks to healthcare workers of incorrect laundering of uniforms. The research group she leads was the first to determine the stability of coronavirus on textiles during laundering; these findings informed global infection control policies in industrial laundries, thereby protecting laundry and healthcare workers. She has worked closely with world-leading brands and laundry trade bodies (UK, Europe and USA), securing significant funding to develop innovative and efficient approaches to combat the spread of pathogens via healthcare textiles. Prof Laird is currently developing an internationally-accepted test protocol which will transform the laundry industry globally through a united approach to validating

 She is also a founder of “A Germ's Journey” educational resources (www.germsjourney.com) teaching young children about health hygiene globally.

 

 

Research group affiliations

Infectious Disease Research Group

Publications and outputs


  • dc.title: Domestic Laundering of Healthcare Textiles: a potential source of antibiotic resistance? dc.contributor.author: Cayrou, Caroline; Dunlop, Jake; Laird, Katie dc.description.abstract: Increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern, in order to combat AMR it鈥檚 important to identify sources of potential antibiotic resistant bacteria to avoid their transmission in a health care environment. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the role of domestic laundry as a source of antibiotic resistance. Methods: The potential role of household laundry detergents in the development of antibiotic resistance was explored by passaging Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae on gradient plates containing household laundry detergents. After, each passage the bacteria were tested for their susceptibility to either oxacillin or ciprofloxacin. The domestic machine (detergent pipe and rubber rim) bacteria composition and the presence of antibiotic resistance genes was explored using shotgun metagenomics. Results: Results suggest that repeated passages onto suboptimal concentrations of washing detergent can induce higher tolerance to the detergent. In parallel, bacteria passages seemed to induce a trend of increasing antibiotic resistance. Preliminary metagenomic analysis of the bacteria composition showed that two main bacteria classes are presents in the samples: Actinomycetes and Alpha-proteobacteria. They contribute to 80% of the reads for more than 66% of the samples. Both bacteria classes contain pathogenic bacteria genera such as Mycobacterium. Conclusion: Continuous exposure to detergent at concentrations insufficient to kill bacteria could lead to increased detergent resistance, and cross resistance to antibiotics. Further work is necessary to establish the full extent of this affect. In addition, if the presence of antibiotic resistance gene containing bacteria in domestic washing machines is confirmed, it is important to consider that those bacteria on post laundered healthcare textiles could be a transmission route in the clinical environment.

  • dc.title: Exploring the microbiome and resistome of domestic laundry machines dc.contributor.author: Cayrou, Caroline; Laird, Katie dc.description.abstract: On site domestic laundry machines (DLM) in healthcare settings have been previously identified as a source of infection. However, little is known about the potential role of DLM in transferring potentially pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. Increased knowledge of the microbiome and the resistome of DLM is of particular importance due to healthcare workers regularly using their DLM to clean and disinfect their uniforms within the home environment. The aim of this study is to explore the microbiome and resistome of DLM in order to begin to understand their potential role in the transmission of pathogens and antibiotic resistance. Shotgun metagenomic analyses was performed on eight DLM (detergent pipe and rubber rim). In addition, the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria and specific antibiotic resistance genes was detected by qPCR on an extended set of samples. Preliminary metagenomic analyses of the bacteria composition showed that three main bacteria classes were present in the samples: Actinomycetes, Gamma-proteobacteria and Alpha-proteobacteria. They contribute to more than 80% of the reads for more than 75% of the samples. Potentially pathogenic genera were present such as Mycobacterium and Pseudomonas. The presence of antibiotic resistance genes was detected in all the samples including efflux pump (adeF), target modification (Van) and antibiotic inactivation genes (ANT 3鈥欌�橧IC). The metagenomic analysis confirmed the presence of antibiotic resistance gene containing bacteria in DLMs. The potential presence of those bacteria on domestically laundered healthcare textiles could be a transmission route in the clinical and domestic environment and requires further investigation.

  • dc.title: A clinical trial evaluation of handwashing products and educational resources to improve hand hygiene in paediatric patients and school children dc.contributor.author: McNicholl, Johanna; Younie, Sarah; Crosby, Sapphire; Laird, Katie dc.description.abstract: Introduction: It is widely acknowledged that good hand hygiene (HH) is an important non-pharmaceutical method for reducing the transmission of infectious diseases. Children are at high risk of infection due to their immature immune systems. Hospital transmitted infections are a cause for concern worldwide, with poor HH suggested to be responsible for up to 20% of cases. Patients, in particular paediatric patients, are often overlooked when it comes to the promotion of hand hygiene compliance (HHC) in hospitals. This report describes the clinical evaluation of the 鈥楽oaper Stars鈥�; a collection of child-friendly HH products with linked educational resource, developed using the COM-B approach to behaviour change, and designed to encourage correct HH in paediatric patients and in schools. Method: The Soaper Star products were distributed on paediatric wards in five UK hospitals, and the use of the products around mealtimes was evaluated. Workshops teaching the 鈥榳hy when and how鈥� of handwashing were run in four UK primary schools with pre and post evaluations conducted to establish impact on knowledge. Over 300 children were involved. Results: The Soaper Stars products stimulated a 38% increase in HHC compared to when only hospital-issued products were available, and verbal feedback from families indicated that having the Soaper Star products encouraged improved HHC by all visitors, not just the patient. Workshops in four schools (283 pupils) showed an increase in knowledge around the transmission of infection and the need for good HH that was sustained for at least 4鈥墂eeks. Conclusion: The Soaper Stars products stimulated a 38% increase in HHC compared to when only hospital-issued products were available, and verbal feedback from families indicated that having the Soaper Star products encouraged improved HHC by all visitors, not just the patient. Workshops in four schools (283 pupils) showed an increase in knowledge around the transmission of infection and the need for good HH that was sustained for at least 4鈥墂eeks. dc.description: open access article The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. The authors received funding for this work from Pal International and De 51吃瓜app University. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

  • dc.title: Development of sustainable, antimicrobial essential oil microcapsules for use within healthcare textiles dc.contributor.author: Silver, Katie; Davies, Angela; Shen, Jinsong; Qutachi, Omar; Laird, Katie dc.description.abstract: This study aims to investigate a sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative to current antimicrobial finishes for healthcare textiles.

  • dc.title: 鈥淏ye-Bye Germs鈥�: Respiratory Tract Infection Prevention鈥擜n Education Intervention for Children dc.contributor.author: Younie, Sarah; Crosby, Sapphire; Charlie Firth; Johanna McNicholl; Laird, Katie dc.description.abstract: Becoming one of the first studies in the field to do so, specially developed educational interventions (Germ鈥檚 Journey), designed to teach children about respiratory tract infection prevention, were delivered to 273 pupils aged five to six across five primary schools in the U.K. The intervention aimed to increase understanding of pathogens and respiratory tract illness, transmission and infection prevention, and preparedness for future pandemics due to a lack of such resources for young children at present. To assess the impact of the intervention, children were asked five questions related to knowledge of pathogens, transmission of infection, and infection prevention directly before and after activity-based workshops, as well as one month later. Responses were scored for pupils鈥� level of knowledge; differences in the frequency of responses between the time points were analysed using Pearson鈥檚 chi-squared test. Teachers also took part in semi-structured interviews to evaluate the workshop from the educators鈥� points of view. Children showed increased knowledge in all three areas immediately after the workshops. This improvement was retained to a lesser or equal extent one month following the learning intervention workshop. The consistent use of teaching resources and interventions such as Germ鈥檚 Journey should be implemented in the school curriculum in order to increase understanding and reduce the transmission of respiratory tract illness. Specially designed activity-based workshops using a range of learning skills can help young children to understand the link between pathogens, and infection transmission and control. dc.description: open access article This work was supported by the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at De 51吃瓜app University. The authors received funding to develop the educational resources for the study from Medina Publishing and Barclays. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

  • dc.title: The longitudinal effect of disseminating handwashing public health education to children in India via co-created, culturally relevant resources. dc.contributor.author: Crosby, Sapphire; Younie, Sarah; Ujenia, Harnesh Vijay; Laird, Katie dc.description.abstract: Infectious diseases are a leading cause of death for children from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), often due to inadequate hand-hygiene. This study evaluates culturally relevant educational resources as a vehicle to disseminate the importance of handwashing amongst children in India. Employing a participatory action research (PAR) model and mixed methods, this follow-up longitudinal study evaluates a set of innovate educational handwashing resources and workshops specifically co-created for use in the State of Gujarat, and how they aid teachers in the teaching of hand-hygiene over a 3鈥墆ear period. Working alongside local NGOs on-the-ground, teacher questionnaires (n=58) and focus groups including a brief questionnaire with teachers (n=35) were conducted to assess the impact of trainer workshops. In addition, pre- and post-workshop worksheets were conducted with children (n=98). Percentage change was calculated between children鈥檚 pre-and post-worksheet scores and a cumulative frequency of responses to each questionnaire criterion was measured. Data from the focus group found that the resources had been used in over 200 schools by more than 5000 children. In addition, 92.28鈥�% of teachers said they would use the resources within their classrooms in India, with 58.16鈥�% of pupils having an increased understanding of germs/handwashing directly after the workshop. Teachers reported that they are able to teach microbiology and handwashing more effectively. Furthermore, following a focus group, 100鈥�% of teachers noted a reduction in childhood vomiting and diarrhoeal illnesses linked with insufficient hand-hygiene across 46 schools in the State of Gujarat since using the Germ鈥檚 Journey resources. dc.description: open access article The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Acknowledgements The researchers would like to thank the children, teachers, parents and collaborators at Manav Sadhna, Environmental Sanitation Institute (ESI) and Together in Development and Education (TIDE) for their continued involvement and commitment to the project.

  • dc.title: Development of a Standardised International Protocol for Evaluation of the Disinfection Efficacy of Healthcare Laundry Wash Processes dc.contributor.author: Owen, Lucy; Cayrou, Caroline; Page, Georgina; Grootveld, Martin; Laird, Katie dc.description.abstract: This research aims to develop a standardised protocol for monitoring the disinfection efficacy of healthcare laundry processes in view of numerous differential methodologies currently being employed within the healthcare laundry sector, including agitation and surface sampling for post-laundering decontamination assessment and swatch and bioindicator testing for in-wash-process efficacy. Enterococcus faecium as an indicator species within industrial wash systems is preferable due to its high thermal and disinfectant tolerance. Methods for measuring laundry disinfection were compared; commercially available E. faecium bioindicators and contaminated cotton swatches (loose, in cloth bags or within nylon membranes) were laundered industrially at ambient temperature and microbial recovery determined. E. faecium was lost from cotton during laundering but retained by the bioindicator membrane, which allows disinfection efficacy to be measured without loss of microorganisms from the test swatch. Commercially available bioindicators were only permeable to disinfectants and detergents at 鈮�60 掳C. Subsequently, polyethersulphone membranes for enclosing contaminated swatches were developed for low-temperature laundering, with permeability to industrial laundry chemistries at below 鈮�60 掳C. This study demonstrates that bioindicators are the recommended methodology for laundry disinfection validation. The use of a universal healthcare laundry disinfection methodology will lead to standardised microbiological testing across the industry and improvements in infection control dc.description: open access article

  • dc.title: Heterogeneous Fenton鈥檚-like Catalyst Potentiation of Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfection: an Investigation into Mechanisms of Action dc.contributor.author: Sewell, S; Owen, Lucy; Huddersman, Katherine; Laird, Katie; Walsh, Susannah dc.description.abstract: Aims This study aimed to establish the mechanisms of action (MOA) of a novel surface-functionalized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) catalyst, which was previously shown to have potent antimicrobial activity in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Methods and results Bactericidal activity was determined using a disinfectant suspension test. The MOA was investigated by measuring the loss of 260 nm absorbing material, membrane potential, permeability assays, analysis of intra- and extracellular ATP and pH, and tolerance to sodium chloride and bile salts. The catalyst lowered sub-lethal concentrations of H2O2 from 0.2 to 0.09%. H2O2 卤 3 g PAN catalyst significantly (P 鈮� 0.05) reduced sodium chloride and bile salt tolerance, suggesting the occurance of sublethal cell membrane damage. The catalyst significantly increased (P 鈮� 0.05) N-Phenyl-l-Napthylamine uptake (1.51-fold) and leakage of nucleic acids, demonstrating increased membrane permeability. A significant (P 鈮� 0.05) loss of membrane potential (0.015 a.u.), coupled with pertubation of intracellular pH homeostasis and depletion of intracellular ATP, suggests potentiation of H2O2-mediated cell membrane damage. Conclusions This is the first study to investigate the catalyst鈥檚 antimicrobial mechanism of action, with the cytoplasmic membrane being a target for cellular injury. dc.description: open access article

  • dc.title: Soaper Stars: Hand-Hygiene Educational Intervention for Children on Paediatric Wards dc.contributor.author: McNicholl, Johanna; Crosby, Sapphire; Firth, Charlie; Younie, Sarah; Laird, Katie dc.description.abstract: Aim: This study reports on the effectiveness of an educational intervention consisting of hand-hygiene resources centred on superhero type characters, implemented on paediatric wards. An evaluation of pre and post handwashing practice will be conducted. Handwashing is one of the most cost-effective infection prevention interventions. Public Health Campaigns have sought to emphasise the importance of handwashing, in order to prevent the spreading of illnesses (particularly in recent times during the height of the Covid pandemic) yet there are few aimed at young children. In addition, research has shown that interventions need to be motivational and not just the transferring of knowledge in order to change behaviour in children. Methods: Using a mixed-method approach, observations of NHS healthcare staff and children engaging with the health-education resources and products were conducted. Brief interviews/questionnaires with NHS healthcare staff regarding their own experiences using the resources with the children on the wards were also completed. Interviews/questionnaires were used to evaluate if the resources had supported them in their infection prevention role and to determine if there had been a change in children鈥檚 handwashing practices. Results: Preliminary results indicate good engagement with the educational intervention and an increased usage of hand-hygiene products.Data collection is on-going and will be completed in the coming months. Conclusion: There are few children鈥檚 handwashing resources, yet learning the practice is fundamental to their health. Being invisible to the naked-eye, it is hard for young children to understand the association between these pathogenic microbes and feeling unwell. Bridging this gap in knowledge is essential. Children on paediatric wards are more likely to have suppressed immune systems and thus limiting the spread of infectious disease within such wards is paramount to children鈥檚 health. The educational intervention thus far has encouraged good hand-hygiene practice, with data showing an increase in hand-hygiene frequency.

  • dc.title: A Germ鈥檚 Journey: Interactive educational resources, teaching children globally about hand-hygiene dc.contributor.author: Crosby, Sapphire; Laird, Katie; Younie, Sarah dc.description.abstract: aching children about hand hygiene is (particularly in recent years) extremely important yet highly challenging. Informing children of correct and efficient handwashing is one thing, but children actually putting this into practice is another. Children being told that they need to wash their hands is often not enough. It is through encouragement, interaction and understanding that we begin to see long term changes in handwashing behaviour. A Germ鈥檚 Journey can be used as a tool in order to implement such changes in handwashing knowledge and behaviour in children.

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Research interests/expertise

  • Hospital Acquired Infections
  • Enterococcus spp.
  • C. difficile
  • Healthcare Laundry
  • Biofilms
  • Novel antimicrobials (nano-metals and natural products)

There are two main areas of research currently being conducted, one of which is the assessment of novel antimicrobials such as essential oils against HAIs both in vegetative and biofilm form for use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

Secondly, healthcare textiles are being assessed for their potential as cross contamination routes for C. diffilice and other HAIs. The effectiveness of the NHS laundering policy at removing microbial loads on bed linen from the hospital ward through to the national contractors for NHS laundering and on-site laundering in care homes is being determined; as well as studies on the attachment of micro-organisms to textile fibres. In addition, novel antimicrobial ingredients for washing detergents and textile coatings are also being explored.

Katie has also a founder of A Germ's Journey an edicational brand for children on infection control and microbiology  (). This project has global reach and has reached 170 000 individuals across 117 countries.

Areas of teaching

  • Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science (BSc): Basic Microbiology 
  • Pharmacy (MPharm): Pharmaceutical microbiology, asepsis, infection, the skin and the pulmonary system.
  • Dissertation projects
  • MSc Students
  • PhD Students.

Honours and awards

  • 51吃瓜app Future Research Leaders Fellow (2015)
  • Outstanding Poster Award the American Society of Microbiology (2015)
  • Medici Fellow  – Birmingham University (2014)
  • HACCP Level 4  (2011)
  • 51吃瓜app Media Fellowship (2010).
  • Chartered Biologist (2010), Society of Biology
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2009)
  • House of Commons award (2008) for research excellence in Hospital Acquired      Infections by Alan Johnson (Health Secretary). 

Membership of external committees

  • Main Committee Member for the Society for Applied Microbiology July 2010 – July 2013.
  • Meetings sub-committe member for the Society of Applied Microbiology July 2010 - 2015. 

Membership of professional associations and societies

  • Editor for a Special Issue in Smart Materials and Structures on sporting protective equipment 
  • Editor for the International Journal of Food Science Technology, June 2019 – to date
  • External Examiner for the Biomedical degree at the University of Bradford,  1st Aug 2018 – Nov 2022
  • Management committee member for the United Kingdom for the COST Action CA16227: Investigation and Mathematical Analysis of Avant-garde Disease Control via Mosquito Nano-Tech-Repellents
    • Lead for Medilink East Midlands Infectious Disease Special Interest Group, 2017 – to date
    • Reviewer for the Journal of Applied Microbiology, Letters in Applied Microbiology, Food Control and Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
  • Society for Applied Microbiology – main committee member (2005-2008)
  • American Society of Microbiology (2006)
  • Society of General Microbiology (2006)
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2008)
  • British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2007)
  • Society of Biology (2009).

Projects

 

Forthcoming events

Katie leads in collboration with Medilink East Midlands the Infectious Disease Special Interest Group for the East Midlands, please visit   to see when the next event is.

 

Conference attendance

Food micro Conference

  • Laird K, & Phillips, C. Copenhagen, Denmark, August  2010:Inhibition of legionellae in water by citrus essential oils and components.
  • Fisher, K. & Phillips, C. Italy September 2006: The effect of citrus essential oils and vapours and their components on the survival of foodborne pathogenic bacteria in vitro and in food systems.

House of Commons, Set for Britain

  • Fisher, K. & Phillips, C. March 2007: Citrus essential oils: a potential bactericide in both the clinical and food arenas.

 

American Society of Microbiology Conference

  • Tarrant, J. Jenkins, P. & Laird, K. How clean are your Hospital Beds?, American Society of Microbiology General Meeting, peer reviewed abstract (New Orleans), May 2015.  Awarded outstanding poster.
  • New Orleans, June 2017

Ø  Owen, L., White, A. and Laird, K. (2017) Bioautography-Guided Identification of Antimicrobial Essential Oil Components of Oregano, Cumin and Rosewood against Antibiotic Sensitive and Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [poster]. ASM Microbe 2017,

Ø  Anita Ogbechie, Amos Abioye, Jinsong Shen, Katie Laird (2017), Antimicrobial Activity of Litsea, Lemon and Rosemary Essential Oils and Their Combinations Against Healthcare and Sportswear Infection-Related Pathogens 

Ø  S.E. Walsh, B. Pankhania, S. Price, K. Laird, L. Smith, K. Huddersman (2017), Preventing Infections using De 51吃瓜app University’s Novel Catalyst Technology [poster]. ASM Microbe 2017

Society for Applied Microbiology Conference

  • London, Nov 2018
    • Ø Owen, L. and Laird, K. (2018) Investigation of synergistic antibiotic-essential oil component combinations as a means to preserve the current antibiotic repertoire in Enterococcus sp. [poster] Society for Applied Microbiology Antimicrobial Resistance Meeting 2018, November 2018, London.
    • Alhareth, Z, Owen, L, Dixon, J, McKechine, K, Smith, L and Laird, K. (2018) The mechanism of antibacterial action of Essential Oils against Enterococcus faecium: the role of transport channels, [poster] Society for Applied Microbiology Antimicrobial Resistance Meeting 2018, November 2018, London.
  • Dublin, July 2015:

Ø  Anita Ogbechie, Amos Abioye, Jinsong Shen, Katie Laird; Novel green antimicrobial textile coatings for use in the healthcare and sport arenas

Ø  Tejpal, J. & Laird, K., Comparison of the antibacterial effect of silver and zinc oxide in solution and on coated surfaces on biofilms (2nd prize, student poster competition)

Ø  Owen, L. & Laird, K. Developing a topical preparation containing a synergistic antimicrobial combination of essential oils for the control of acne vulgaris-associated bacteria.

  • Tarrant, J. & Laird, K. Brighton, July 2014: Clostridium difficile spores and healthcare laundry policy: How clean is your hospital bed?
  • SfAM Early Career Scientist Research Symposium – March 2021,
  • Owen, L., Shivkumar, M. and Laird, K. (2021) Persistence of human coronaviruses on textiles during laundering. March 23rd 2021 [online poster presentation].
  • Crosby, S., Younie, S., and Laird, K. (2021). Evaluating the effectiveness of A Germ’s Journey interactive health-education resources and interventions to improve young children’s understanding of microorganisms and handwashing skills globally,  March 2021, [online poster presentation].
  • Shivkumar, M., Adkin, P., Owen, L., Patel, J., Shantharami, U., Goodyear, L. and Laird, K. (2022) Stability of human coronavirus OC43 on leather and viral transfer to different surface. SfAM ECS Symposium, Cardiff, 20th June 2022.
  • Tejpal, J. & Laird, K. Edinburgh, July 2012: Reproducibility of a Static and a Continuous Flow Method for the Formation of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms &Bacterial contamination of healthcare uniforms and survival on different textile fibre types.
  • Tarrant, J. & Laird, K. Dublin, July 2011: Assessment of methods for recovery of Clostridium difficile spores from textiles.
  • Fisher, K. & Phillips, C. Belfast, July 2008: The use of ozonated water to inhibit pathogenic bacteria.
  • Fisher, K. & Phillips, C. Cardiff, June 2007: The use of citrus essential oils against Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis.

 

Society of General Microbiology Conference

  • Fisher, K. & Phillips C., Harrogate March 2009: The use of an antimicrobial citrus vapour to reduce Enterococcus sp. on lettuce and cucumber.

IUFoST

  • Laird, K. & Phillips, C. Cape Town, South Africa, August 2010: The effect of an essential oil vapour on the growth of Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger and Alternaria alternate in vitro and on food." (oral presentation)

Textile Institute World Conference

  • Riley, K., Laird, K. & Williams, J. Shah Alam, Malyasia, May 2012:How closely do hospital staff follow NHS guidelines on domestic laundering procedures? (oral presentation).

Australian Society for Microbiology

  • Riley, K., Laird, K. & Williams, J. Melbourne, July 2014:  Can fibre type have a role in the reduction of microorganism survival on healthcare uniforms?

Royal Pharmaceutical Society

  • Rivers, P., Laird, K. and Ali M (Brighton, September 2014: Perceptions of antibiotic use and microbial resistance - a pilot study to test the potential of a fictitious vignette to assess lay beliefs and attitudes (oral presentation)

Euroscicon - Antibiotic alternatives for the new millennium

  • London, November 2014:

Ø  Laird, K. A Citrus Essential Oil Vapour: An Alternative to Chemical Disinfectants (oral presentation).

Ø  Tejpal, J. & Laird, K. Comparison of the antibacterial effect of silver and zinc oxide in solution

            and on coated surfaces (poster)

Ø  Owen, L. and Laird, K., An Investigation of the Double and Triple Synergistic Antimicrobial Interactions Between Litsea, Rosewood and Clove Essential Oils Against Acne-Associated Bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis (poster).

Phytochemical Society of Europe

  • Lille, France 2017
    • Ø    Owen, Lucy, Grootveld, Martin, Arroo, Randolph, Ruiz-Rodado, Victor,Price, Penny and Laird, Katie, (2017) Antimicrobial activity of ternary essential oil mixtures in topical cosmetic preparations against acne vulgaris-associated bacteria. Phytochemical Society of Europe Young Scientists' Meeting. 
    • Ø    Anita Ogbechie, Amos Abioye, Jinsong Shen, Katie Laird (2017), Antimicrobial activity of Litsea cubeba, Rosmarinus officinalis and Citrus lemon essential oils against five skin-infection related pathogens Phytochemical Society of Europe Young Scientists' Meeting. 

APMAS

  • Alanod Alshareef, Katie Laird & Richard Cross (2015), Chemical Synthesis of Copper Nanospheres and Nanocubes and Their Antibacterial Activity Against Escherichia coli and Enterococcus sp. Turke

ICPAM-11

  • Alanod Alshareef, Katie Laird & Richard Cross (2017), Shape-dependent antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles on Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium bacterium, Romania

ECCMID

  • Lucy Owen, Katie Laird & Philipee Wilson (2018) Three-Dimensional Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships of Essential Oils as Antimicrobial Agents, Madrid
  • Lucy Owen, Joseph P. Webb, Jeffrey Green, Laura J. Smith and Katie Laird (2019) Transcriptional response of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium to a synergistic antibiotic-essential oil combination: A strategy to preserve the current antibiotic repertoire? ECCMID, Amsterdam, Netherlands, April 2019.
  • Owen, L. and Laird, K. (2020) Dual-Function Antimicrobial Laundry Supplement and Textile Coating for the Decontamination of Healthcare Laundry. ECCMID, Paris, April 2020 [poster]. Abstract only published
  • Alhareth, Z., Owen, L., Dixon C.J., Smith, L., and Laird, K. (2020) Gene expression analysis of transport channels in Enterococcus faecium (VRE). ECCMID, Paris, April 2020 [poster]. Abstract Only Published.
  • Owen, L., Apps, L., Stanulewicz, N., Hall, A. and Laird, K. (2021) Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of UK healthcare workers towards uniform laundering polices during the COVID-19 pandemic. European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 9-12th July 2021, online [poster].
  • Adkin O P and Laird K. (2021) The interactions of bacterial contamination with healthcare mattress textiles specifically designed to repel microorganisms. European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 9-12th July 2021, online [poster].
  • Alhareth Z., Dixon J., Smith L., Laird K. (2021) Calcium channels: proposed involvement in the antimicrobial effect of a natural product formulation against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. 31st European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 9-12th July 2021, online [poster].
  • Owen, L. and Laird, K. (2022) Evaluation of current healthcare laundry hygiene monitoring methodologies. ECCMID, online, 23-26th April 2022 [poster].

 

ECCVID

  • Owen, L., Shivkumar, M. and Laird, K. (2020) Stability of Model Human Coronaviruses on a Range of Textile Fibre Types. ESCMID Conference on Coronavirus Disease, 23-25th September 2020 [online].

 

BSAC

  • Owen, L. and Laird, K. (2018) Synergistic essential oil-antibiotic combinations as a strategy to maintain the efficacy of current antibiotics against Enterococcus sp. [poster] British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Antibiotic Resistance and Mechanisms Workshop, November 2018, Birmingham.
  • Alhareth, Z, Owen, L, Dixon, J, McKechnie, K, Smith, L and Laird, K. (2018) Is the antimicrobial mechanism of action of essential oils against bacteria associated with channels similar to TRPV1 channels found in mammalian cells? [poster] British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Antibiotic Resistance and Mechanisms Workshop, November 2018, Birmingham.

 

EU Cost Action (CA16227)

 

  • Marija Grancaric, A, Laird, K, Shen, J and Botteri, L. (2019) Development of sustainable cotton fabrics with natural immortelle essential oil for antimicrobial and mosquito repellent functions. [oral] 1st International Conference on Political Decision Making and Vector-Borne Diseases – Interdisciplinary Research, Complexity and Bio-Mathematics, 4-5 of April 2019, Valença, Portugal
  • Laird, K, Shen, J., Soroh, A., Rahim, N., & Grancaric A, (2019) EU COST ACTION (network) project (CA16227) Interdisciplinary Research on Mosquito-combating Textiles and Paints, Scientific Meeting. Microencapsulation of natural essential oils to develop sustainable textiles for antimicrobial and mosquito repellent functionality. Malta, Dec 2019.

 

Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research

  • Owen, L., Laird, K, Samarasinghe, S., Weisenburge, S., Koch, E. and Gronier, B. (2019) Menthacarin – a proprietary combination of peppermint and caraway essential oils – exerts selective antimicrobial activity against gastrointestinal bacteria. Sept. 1-5, 2019,  Innsbruck, Austria.

BERA

  • Crosby, S., Laird, K. , and Younie, S. (2019), Creating Resources with Children in India using a co-creation model for Developing Countries to address UN SDG goals. BERA, Global Perspectives: re-imagining education, 20-21st June 2019, Worcester, UK.
  • Crosby, S., Laird, K. and Younie, S. (2019) GERMS JOURNEY: co-creation of resources for addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals in education & health in developing countries. BERA, Global Perspectives: re-imagining education, Worcester, UK, 20-21st June 2019

 

ITMC

  • Grancaric A M, Laird K, Botteri L, Shen J and Laatikainen K, Microencapsulation for Improved Mosquitoes Repellent Efficacy of Cotton Fabrics, ITMC 2019 Conference, Marrakech, Morocco, 13-15 November 2019.

 

 International Council on Education for Teaching

  • Crosby, S., Laird, K., and Younie, S. (2021) A Germ’s Journey: co-creation of resources for addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals in education & health in low-and-middle-income countries. International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET) World Assembly Conference, 21-23 June, 2021

 

European Conference on Health Communication

  • Lahiri, I, Crosby, S., Firth, C., Laird, K. and Younie, S. (2021), Lessons learnt from Germ’s Journey- importance of health communications in a post pandemic world, online 4-5 November 2021.

Infection Prevention Society

  • Owen, L., Cripwell, L., Hook, J., Shivkumar, M. and Laird. K. (2021) Disinfection of laundry using low temperature validated ozone system, OTEX, against human coronavirus HCoV-OC43. 13th Annual conference Liverpool, 27-29 September 2021

 

 

 

 

Consultancy work

  • Product development
  • Infection control product efficacy testing
  • Healthcare textiles and laundering
  • Contamination and transmission routes for disease.
  • Food poisoning outbreaks
  • Food spoilage.
  • Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs)
  • Infection control – how to prevent outbreaks of viral and bacterial disease
  • New antimicrobials

 

Previous desktop analysis studies for efficacy of products have been conducted, also possible lab based projects could be conducted on the efficacy of antimicrobial products.

Expertise in efficacy of antimicrobial textiles or laundry products for the clinical and food arena

 

Current research students

Current research student supervisions:

  • PhD - Identification of Biomarkers for Improved Prognosis of Severe Obesity and Response to Bariatric Surgical Intervention: An Extensive Metabolomics Investigation. Oct 2016 -2020 – 2nd Supervisor
  • PhD – Mechanisms of Action of Novel Antimicrobials. Oct 2017 – 2021 – 1st Supervisor
  • PhD - Assessment of A Germ’s Journey Educational Resources. Oct 2017 -2023 – 2nd Supervisor
  • PhD - Development of eco-friendly and novel coating technology for durable functional textiles: A solution to bacterial, fungal and mosquito borne disease in the travel and sport arenas. Oct 2019 – 2023 – 1st Supervisor
  • PhD –  Anti-microbial Peptide Hydrogel for Topical Applications & as Lubricants for Catheters- Jan 2020 – 2024 – 2nd Supervisor
  • PhD - Germ's Journey Education Resources: Handwashing for Children – Oct 2021 - 2026

 

Completions: 6 PhD and 2 MRes

Externally funded research grants information

  • Society for Applied Microbiology Summer Placement Studentship (June-August 2022): The role of domestic antibacterial laundry cleansers in the development of biocide resistance and cross-resistance with antibiotics - £2500, CI
  • Textile Services Association, temperature profiling of bioindicators in the wash system, Dec 2021, £ 14,030.00, PI
  • Textile Services Association, the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of care homes towards laundering of textile, Nov 2021, £11,592.00, PI
  • Dakem Ltd, Assessment of antiviral efficacy of MoskitoGuard® with active ingredient picaridin. Aug 2021, £10 858, CI
  • Propress Industrial Project, assessment of garment steamers o textiles surfaces to remove coronavirus, Aug 2021, £10 080, PI
  • National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Public Engagement and Outreach Grant, A Germ’s Journey: A Fight against Resistance interactive educational resources to improve children’s understanding of Antimicrobial Resistance, March 2021, £2953, PI
    • Travel Grant, Microbiology Society, Chemical analysis of natural products in combination with antibiotics. Oct 2016-Jan 2017: £3000, PI
    • Analysis antimicrobial effect of natural oil extracted from plant based product on Gut Microflora, Industrial Project: Jan 2015- Aug 2015: £6000, CI
  • Valneva Industrial Project, assessment of mosquito repellent active ingredients for anti-coronavirus activity, March 2021, £2000, CI
  • Microfresh Industrial Project, wash testing of antimicrobial coated textiles, Jan 2021, £25 188, PI
  • Barclays Covid build back better donation for Germ’s Journey Bye Bye Germs, Dec 2020, £40 000. PI
  • Dettol donation for Germ’s Journey Bye Bye Germs, UAE version, Dec 2020, £6500, PI
  • NewGen industry contract for climbing association: June 2020, £10 000, CI
  • JLA industry contract looking at coronavirus and ozone washing systems: June 2020, £15 000, PI
  • Trelleborg contract research to test the efficacy of a new healthcare mattress coating to prevent the attachment of bacteria, March 2020, £35 000, PI
  • TSA contract research to develop a test method for testing the antimicrobial efficacy of industrial laundries , October 2019, £104 500 PI
  • PAL International sponsorship of Germ’s Journey website, September 2019, £6500, PI
  • JLA contract research of the efficacy of ozone washing machines, October 2019, £12 100
  • Next donation for Germ’s Journey Project, September 2019, £5000
  • PAL International sponsorship of Soaper Heros project at Alder Hey Hospital, August 2019, £15 000
  • Wederell Trust, Funds to support the creation of a Germ’s Journey African edition, Jan 2019 – July 2019: £2500, PI
  • EcoGen Limited, Industrial Project, Antimicrobial efficacy of needle destruction device, Jan 2019 – March 2019: £5940, PI
  • Germ’s Journey Gujarati Book, crowdfunding. April 2018, £7550
  • PAL International Research Project, part funded by the European Regional Development Grant, efficacy of antimicrobial wipes against C. difficile. Jan 2018 – Aug 2018: £19 920, PI
  • WET Engineering Consultancy, Assessment of a novel antimicrobial against biofilms in pipes in chicken sheds. Jan 2018 – Dec 2018: £10 920, PI
  • Microfresh Research Project, part funded by the European Regional Development Grant, Phase two, assessment of antimicrobial detergents for healthcare laundry. Jan 2018 – Jan 2019: £45 500, PI
  • PAL International donation for A Germ’s Journey Middle East Poster, Nov 2017 – July 2018, £750, PI
  • Microfresh, Industrial Project, Assessment of antimicrobial detergents for healthcare laundry. July 2016-July 2017: £5000, PI
  • Educational Resources Grant, Society for Applied microbiology, A Germs Journey. July 2016-July 2017: £3,855.00, PI
  • DAAD Rise Programme: Internship from Germany for research placement starting Aug 2015: £5000, PI
  • Partnerships in Knowledge Transfer (PiKT), European Regional Development Fund, Essential oil blends for the use in skin care products. March 2014- March 2015. £87,000, PI, collaborators: Penny Price Aromatherapy.
  • Educational Resources Grant, Society for Applied microbiology, A Germs Journey. July 2015-July 2016: £3000, PI
  • Students into Work Grant, Society for Applied Microbiology (2011):£2500, PI
  • DAAD Rise Programme: Internship for research placement July – Sept,  2011: £5000, PI

 

Internally funded research project information

  • UKRI, Supporting the implementation of intergenerational policies using Germ's Journey dementia resources, £5000 PI
  • Internal PhD Bursary, Development of a durable, affordable eco-friendly textile solution for microbial and mosquito borne disease control. October 2021 £64 000 CI
  • Global Challenges Research Fund, Germ’s Journey Sierra Leone: handwashing education for children to address UN SDGs in education and health and the Covid-19 pandemic, March 2021 £10 000, PI
  • Higher Education Innovation Fund, Global Covid-19 handwashing discussions, December 2020, £8034.50, PI
  • Higher Education Innovation Fund, British Footwear Association Covid-19 Research Project, August 2020: £22, 015, PI
  • Higher Education Innovation Fund, funding to support the assessment of the role of textiles in the transmission of coronavirus, May 2020-October 2020: £34, 452, PI
  • Global Challenges Research Fund follow up fund, Germ’s Journey Around the World: Co-creating handwashing education for all to address UN SDGs in education and health, March 2020, £3000, PI
  • HEIF funding to support the development of antimicrobial laundry products for Microfresh, October 2019 – July 2020: £17 000, PI
  • Global Challenges Research Fund, Germ’s Journey Around the World: Co-creating handwashing education for all to address UN SDGs in education and health, February 2019 – July 2019: £10 000, PI
  • Council for At Risk Academics (CARA), PhD Studentship – Mechanisms of action of novel antimicrobials, November 2017 -2019: £49 500, PI
  • PhD Student Bursary (Fees only) – Development of novel synergistic therapeutic strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance: critical roles for natural products, PhD, October 2015 – 2018: £12 600, PI
  • Higher Education Innovation Fund, Infectious Disease Research Group Networking Launch, September 2016 – July 2017: £3000, PI
  • Internal PhD Bursary - Antimicrobial textile coatings for use in the sports and travel arenas. October 2014-2017:  £62,988, PI
  • Research leave award: The use of natural products in synergy with antibiotics – Sept 2014 - January 2015: £5000, PI
  • Future Research Leadership: January 2015 – Dec 2015: £2000, PI
  • Internal PhD Bursary (Fees only) – The use of nano-metals against biofilms in a biomedical context. October 2011-2014: £12 600, PI
  • Internal PhD Bursary - Survival of Clostridium difficile on cloth and exploration of new interventions during healthcare laundering, October 2010-2013: £54 000, PI
  • 3D spacer fabrics for medical applications, RIF, October 2010-October 2011, (£10,000), CI.
  • Pump Prime Funds: Development of consultancy expertise and equipment, October 2010- October 2011 (£10,000), PI. 

Published patents

United Kingdom Patent Application No. 0809935.0: Antimicrobial citrus essential oil blend vapour.

Professional esteem indicators

 

Invited Speaker:

    1. Infection Control and Prevention; Knowlex (Knowledge Exchange for the NHS), Care Home Conference, Infection control educational resources for those living with dementia (intergenerational research). Birmingham UK, 14th June 2022.
    2. Infection Prevention Society, Care Home Special Interest Group conference, Infection control educational resources for those living with dementia (intergenerational research), Derby UK, 8th June 2022
    3. Owen, L., Shivkumar, M., Apps, L. and Laird, K. (2022) Laundering healthcare uniforms at home: risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection Prevention and Control Conference, Birmingham, 26th April 2022. 
    4. TSA Knowledge Network Open Day. Efficacy of Microbial Test Methodologies for Laundry 9th February 2022 [Online].
    5. National Health Executive 365: Infection Control in NHS Estates: Leaders debate, infection control, online, 16th December 2021
    6. Infection Prevention Society, Yorkshire Branch Meeting, Stability of coronaviruses on textiles and during laundering: Are healthcare textiles a COVID-19 infection control risk?, online, 23rd March 2021
    7. Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA), Low Temperature washing of Nurses Uniforms, USA, September 2017 via webinar
    8. Infection Control and Prevention Conference; Knowlex (Knowledge Exchange for the NHS), Domestic Laundering of Nurses Uniforms: The Effect of Low Temperature Laundering, Leeds, 12th July 2017.
    9. European Textile Services Association (ETSA), Hygiene of Domestic Laundering – Evaluating Risks and Opportunities. Paris 14th-16th of June
    10. Infection Control and Prevention; Knowlex (Knowledge Exchange for the NHS), Domestic Laundering of Nurses Uniforms: The Effect of Low Temperature Laundering, London, Feb 2017.
    11. Society of Hospital Linen Services and Laundry Managers Conference; Stratford Upon Avon, Domestic Laundering of Healthcare Uniforms, May 2016
    12. Penny Price Aromatherapy Open Day, Hinckley, A citrus essential oil vapour a possible chemical disinfectant, May 2015
    1. British Footwear Association, Global Industry Webinar, The life of covid on leather, 24th November 2021
    2. Textiles Rental Services 10th Annual Healthcare Conference, Stability of coronaviruses on textiles and during laundering: Are healthcare textiles a COVID-19 infection control risk?, Texas USA, 17-18th November 2021
    3. Textiles National Congress, Efficacy of Microbial Test Methodologies for Laundry,Birmingham, UK, 10th November 2021
    4. British Infection Association Conference, Future Proofing Antibiotic Resistance: Alternatives to Antibiotic Discovery’ A synergy between natural products and vancomycin to combat VRE,8th November 2021
    5. National Health Executive 365: Infection, prevention and Decontamination:  Decontamination Panel Discussion, online, 23rd June 2021
    6. Department of International Trade, Innovations for Global Challenges Webinar Series, How a Germ’s Journey is improving hygiene and reducing sickness around the world, online, 25th March 2021.
    1. Textile Services Association, COVID-19 and Healthcare Laundry Global Trade Association Webinar, Stability of Model Human Coronaviruses on a Range of Textile Fibre Types, online, 19th Jan 2021.
    2. Infection Control and Prevention; Knowlex (Knowledge Exchange for the NHS), Are Textiles and Infection Control Risk, Birmingham, Feb 2020
    3. TRSA 8th Annual Healthcare Conference & Exchange, Session Title: Current Healthcare Market-Related Research Review: Research to Develop a New Standardised Test Method to Determine the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Laundry Processes. San Diego, Nov 2019.
    4. Textile Services Association, Annual Conference, Healthcare Textiles Research: Nurses Uniforms and Bedsheets, Warwick, UK, Sept 2019
    5. EU COST ACTION (network) project (CA16227) Interdisciplinary Research on Mosquito-combating Textiles and Paints, Scientific Meeting. Natural Products for Use in Antimicrobial Microcapsules for Textiles: Novel and Green, Orhid, Macedonia Oct 2018
    6. Society of Hospital Linen Services and Laundry Managers Conference, Barnsley, C. difficile  the gremlin of hospital bedsheets, May 2018.

     

 

Case studies

Examples of evidence of the ‘Impact’ of research e.g. references to reviews/articles in main stream media, examples of feedback from users, exhibition attendance figures.

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