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School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Dr Andrew McBain B.Sc., Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer in Microbiology

Room 3.129, Stopford Building
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT
 

 

Memberships of Committees and Professional Bodies

Editorial Board: Journal of Applied Microbiology and Letters in Applied Microbiology

Member of: American Society for Microbiology, Society of General Microbiology, Society for Applied Microbiology, International Association for Dental Research.

Research

I lead a team of postgraduates and research associates which I support with research council and industrial grants. We are interested in bacterial physiology and ecology as it relates to human health and disease and to clinical/environmental persistence. A central theme is the in vitro modelling and characterisation of microbial communities; we have expertise in model systems including the constant depth film fermenter, the CDC biofilm reactor, and a variety of other model systems, including several that we have designed and validated in house, that have been adopted elsewhere. Additionally, I am currently involved in collaborative research projects that aim to better understand interactions between bacteria and the host.

 

Teaching

  • Module Leader: Pathogencity and Immunology (PHAR 3161)
  • Module Leader: Microbial Disease and Immunisation (PHAR 40191)
  • Teaching: Introductory Microbiology (PHAR 10422)
  • Chemotherapy (PHAR 30341)
  • Drug Development Workshop (PHAR 40250)
 

Biography

After graduating from the University of Liverpool in 1993, I moved to the University of Cambridge to study for a Ph.D. in medical microbial ecology with the MRC at Addenbrooke's Hospital. For the last decade, my research at Manchester has focused on the responses of biofilms to antimicrobial treatments and the interaction of microorganisms colonising the skin, nasopharynx, oral cavity and intestine with the human host in health and disease. I have successfully supervised over ten postgraduate students.

 

Qualifications

  • 1997 Ph.D. Medical Microbial Ecology (University of Cambridge)
  • 1993 B.Sc. Microbiology, First Class (University of Liverpool)
 

Collaborators and affiliated staff

 

Selected publications

2011

  • (2011). Combinatorial activities of ionic silver and sodium hexametaphosphate against microorganisms associated with chronic wounds. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 6(11), 2556.-2561. eScholarID:133399 | DOI:10.1093/jac/dkr350
  • Ledder RG, McBain AJ. (2011). An in vitro comparison of dentifrice formulations in three distinct oral microbiotas. Archives of Oral Biology, eScholarID:133387
  • Madhwani T and McBain AJ. (2011). Bacteriological effects of a Lactobacillus reuteri probiotic on in vitro oral biofilms. Archives of Oral Biology, eScholarID:133397 | DOI:10.1016/j.archoralbio.2011.04.004
  • Madhwani, T and McBain, AJ. (2011). Compositional Modification of Nascent in vitro Dental Plaques by Human Host-Defense Peptides. FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology, eScholarID:140980 | DOI:10.1111/j.1574-695X.2011.00922.x

2010

  • McBain AJ, Allison DG. (2010). Vaccination and immunisation. In Denyer S, Hodges NA, Gorman SP (Ed.), Pharmaceutical Microbiology. Blackwell Publishing. eScholarID:79225
  • (In-press). Evaluation of the specificity and effectiveness of selected oral hygiene actives in salivary biofilm microcosms. Med Microbiol. [Epub ahead of print], eScholarID:92122
  • Friswell M, Gika M, Stratford I, Theodoridis G, Telfer B, Wilson I, McBain AJ. (2010). Site and strain-specific variation in gut microbiota profiles and metabolism experimental mice. PLoS One, 5(1), eScholarID:79208 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0008584
  • Kadirvel M, Stimpson W, Moumene-Afifi S, Arsic B, Glynn N, Halliday N, Williams P, Gilbert P, McBain AJ, Freeman S, Gardiner JM. (2010). Synthesis and bioluminescence inducing properties of autoinducer (S)-4,5-dihydroxypentane-2,3-dione and its enantiomer. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 20, 2625-2628. eScholarID:79229 | DOI:10.1016/j.bmcl.2010.02.064
  • Leaper D, McBain AJ, Kramer A, Assadian O, Sanchez JL, Lumio J, Kiernan M. (2010). Healthcare associated infection: novel strategies and antimicrobial implants to prevent surgical site infection. Ann R Coll Surg Engl, 92(6), 453-458. eScholarID:92121 | DOI:10.1308/003588410X12699663905276
  • McBain AJ. (2010). Biofilms: An introduction to their significance and recalcitrance. Microbiologist, 11, 28-32. eScholarID:79198
  • Randler C, Matthes R, McBain AJ, Giese B, Fraunholz M, Sietmann R, Kohlmann T, Hubner NO, Kramer A. (2010). A three-phase in-vitro system for studying Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion and biofilm formation upon hydrogel contact lenses. BMC Microbiol, 10(1), 282.. eScholarID:96292 | DOI:10.1186/1471-2180-10-282

2009

  • Ledder RG, Sreenivasan PK, De Vizio R, McBain AJ. (2009). Antimicrobial activities of cetylpyridinium-chloride mouthwashes on oral bacteria. eScholarID:2d2229
  • Ledder R, Madhwani T, Sreenivasan P, De Vizio W, McBain AJ. (2009). An in vitro evaluation of hydrolytic enzymes as dental plaque control agents. J Med Microbiol, 58( Pt 4), 482-491. eScholarID:1d19792 | DOI:10.1099/jmm.0.006601-0
  • McBain A, Madhwani T, Eatough J, Ledder R. (2009). An introduction to probiotics for dental health. Food Science and Technology Bulletin: Functional Foods, 6, 5-29. eScholarID:79195 | DOI:10.1616/1476-2137.15748
  • McBain A. (2009). In vitro biofilm models: an overview. Advances in Applied Microbiology, 69, 99-132. eScholarID:79193 | DOI:10.1016/S0065-2164(09)69004-3

2008

  • Humphreys GGJ, Gilbert P, McBain AJ. (2008). Analyses of surface-associated bacteria in the nasal cavity of healthy adults. eScholarID:2d2384
  • Madhwani TTR, Ledder RG, Gilbert P, McBain AJ. (2008). Microbial Stability in Dental Plaque Microcosms. eScholarID:2d2577
  • McBain AJ. (2008). Laboratory models for biofilm maintenance and growth-rate control. eScholarID:2d2386
  • Timperley AS, Rozen D, McBain AJ. (2008). Ecological analyses of pair-wise interactions amongst bacteria derived from individual oral microbiotas. eScholarID:2d2312
  • Ledder RG, Timperley AS, Friswell MK, Macfarlane S, McBain AJ. (2008). Coaggregation between and among human intestinal and oral bacteria. FEMS Microbiol Ecol, eScholarID:1d17402 | DOI:10.1111/j.1574-6941.2008.00525.x
  • Moore LE, Ledder RG, Gilbert P, McBain AJ. (2008). An In-vitro Study of the Effect of Cationic Biocides on Bacterial Population Dynamics and Susceptibility. Appl Environ Microbiol, 74, 4825-34. eScholarID:1d17403 | DOI:10.1128/AEM.00573-08

2007

  • Sufya N, McBain AJ, Gilbert P. (2007). Alarmone-mediated persistence following heat and chemical stress of bacterial populations. eScholarID:2d2132
  • Ahmed S, Macfarlane G, Fite A, McBain AJ, Gilbert P, Macfarlane S. (2007). Mucosa-associated bacterial diversity in relation to human terminal ileum and colonic biopsy samples. Appl Environ Microbiol, 73( 22), 7435-42. eScholarID:1d16838
  • Ruth Ledder, Gilbert P, Sharon A Huws, Aarons L, Martin P Ashley, Peter S Hull, McBain AJ. (2007). Molecular Analysis for the Subgingival Microbiota in Health and Disease. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 73:2, 516-523. eScholarID:1d15341

2006

  • Gilbert P, McBain AJ, Lindsay S. (2006). Biofilms, bacterial multi-resistance and persistence, Chapter4, IN, Multiple drug resistant bacteria, Edition 2, edited by C.F. Amabile Cuevas. Multiple drug resistant bacteria Edition 2. eScholarID:3d883
  • Ledder RG, Gilbert P, Pluen A, Sreenivasan P, De Vizio W, McBain AJ. (2006). Individual microflora beget unique oral microcosms. J Appl Microbiol, 100( 5), 1123-31. eScholarID:1d15587
  • Ledder RG, Gilbert P, Willis C, McBain AJ. (2006). Effects of chronic triclosan exposure upon the antimicrobial susceptibility of 40 ex-situ environmental and human isolates. J Appl Microbiol, 100( 5), 1132-40. eScholarID:1d13880

2005

  • McBain AJ, Allison DG, Pratten J, Spratt Da, Upton M, Verran J. (2005). Biofilms: persistence and ubiquity. eScholarID:4d264
  • Gilbert P, Allison DG, Friswell M, Barton M, McBain AJ. (2005). The mammalian microbiomics in health and disease - can we see the wood for the trees?. Biofilms: Persistence and Ubiquity [eds McBain A, allison DG, Pratten J, Spratt D, Verran J, Upton M] Bioline Press, Cardiff. eScholarID:3d848
  • Ledder RG, Gilbert P, Sissons P, Sreenivasan PK, McBain AJ. (2005). Oral microcosms: through the looking glass. Biofilm persistence and ubiquity [Eds. McBain AJ, Allison DJ, Spratt D, Pratten JE, Upton M, Verran J, Biofilm Club Press, Manchester. eScholarID:3d468
  • Lindsay S, Kertesz M, Cowen RL, Rickard AH, McBain AJ, Gilbert P. (2005). The enigma of persistence in biofilm communities. Biofilm persistence and ubiquity [Eds. McBain AJ, Allison DJ, Spratt D, Pratten JE, Upton M, Verran J, Biofilm Club Press, Manchester. eScholarID:3d621
  • Moore L, Geechan P, McBain AJ, Gilbert P. (2005). Recalcitrance of complex biofilm communities towards cationic biocide exposure. Bioline Press, Cardiff. eScholarID:3d772
  • Huws SA, McBain AJ, Gilbert P. (2005). Protozoan grazing and its impact upon population dynamics in biofilm communities. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 98, 238-244. eScholarID:1d9284
  • McBain AJ, Sissons C, Ledder RG, Sfreenivasan PK, De Vizio W, Gilbert P. (2005). Development and characterization of a simple perfused oral microcosm. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 98, 624-634. eScholarID:1d10240

2004

  • Gilbert P, McBain AJ. (2004). Biofilms and antimicrobial resistance: beyond physiological and chemical gradients. Advances in Biofilm Science and Engineering (R Jordan, D Williams, U Charaf Eds). eScholarID:3d756
  • Gilbert P, McBain AJ. (2004). Live and let die. Microbiology Today, 31, 62-63. eScholarID:1d7904
  • McBain AJ, Gilbert P, Allison DG. (2004). Biofilms and biocides: Are there implications for antibiotic resistance? Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology, 2, 141-146. eScholarID:1d8736
  • McBain AJ, Ledder RG, Ledder RG, Moore LE, Catrenich CE, Gilbert P. (2004). Effects of quarternary-amonium based formulations on bacterial community dynamics and antimicrobial susceptibility. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 70(6), 3449-3456. eScholarID:1d8014 | DOI:10.1128/AEM.70.6.3449-3456.2004
  • McBain AJ, Ledder RG, Sreenivasan P, Gilbert P. (2004). Selection for high-level resistance by chronic triclosan exposure is not universal. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 53, 772-777. eScholarID:1d8063
  • Rickard AH, McBain AJ, Stead AT, Gilbert P. (2004). Shear rate moderates community diversity in freshwater biofilms. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 70(12), 7426-7435. eScholarID:1d9283 | DOI:10.1128/AEM.70.12.7426-7435.2004

2003

  • McBain AJ, Allison DG, Brading M, Rickard AH, Verran J, Gilbert P. (2003). Biofilm Communities : Order or Chaos?. eScholarID:4d38
  • Gilbert P, McBain AJ, Rickard AH, Schooling S. (2003). Control of Biofilms Associated with Implanted Medical Devices. Medical Biofilms. Edited by J.Jass, S.Rurman, J. Walker & John Wiley & Sons Ltd. eScholarID:3d982
  • Gilbert P, McBain AJ, Rickard AH. (2003). Biofilms and Bacterial Multi-Resistance. Multiple Drug Resistant Bacteria (Ed. Carlos F. Amabile-Cuevas) pub. Horizon Scientific Press. eScholarID:3d988
  • Gilbert P, Rickard AH, McBain AJ. (2003). Biofilms and antimicrobial resistance. Russell, Hugo & Ayliffe's Principles and Practice of Disinfection Preservation and Sterilization [AP Fraise, PA Lambert and JY Maillard, Eds]. Blackwell. eScholarID:3d688
  • McBain AJ, Gilbert P. (2003). The application of DGGE to monitor biofilm community composition and dynamics. Biofilm Communities: Order from Chaos? [A McBain, D Allison, M Brading, a Rickard, J Verran & J Walker, Eds]Contributions made at the Sixth Meeting of the Biofilm Club held at Gregynog Hall, Powys, 3-5 September, 2003. eScholarID:3d245
  • Ledder RG, Moore LE, Catrenich CE, Gilbert P, McBain AJ. (2003). Exposure of sink drain biofilms to quaternary ammonium compounds: population dynamics and antimicrobial susceptibility. eScholarID:2d1275
  • Lindsay S, Stead AT, McBain AJ, Gilbert P, Rickard AH. (2003). Fluid Dynamic Shear Forces Moderate Bacterial Diversity within Freshwater Biofilms. eScholarID:2d1192
  • McBain AJ, Bartolo RG, Catrenich CE, Charbonneau D, Ledder RG, Gilbert P. (2003). Molecular and Conventional Investigations into the Effects of Triclosan and Chlorhexidine upon Population Dynamics and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of in vitro Plaque Communities. eScholarID:2d1024
  • McBain AJ, Hopkins MJ, Macfarlane S, Macfarlane GT. (2003). Breakdown of Cross-linked and non Cross-linked arabinoxylans in infant large intestinal microbiotas. eScholarID:2d1385
  • McBain AJ, Sissons CH, Gilbert P. (2003). A novel reproducible laboratory model for the maintenance of sessile oral microbial ecosystems. eScholarID:2d1441
  • Gilbert P, McBain AJ, Rickard AH. (2003). Formation of microbial biofilm in hygienic situations: a problem of control. International Journal of Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 51, 245-248. eScholarID:1d5126
  • Gilbert P, McBain AJ. (2003). An evaluation of the potential impact of the increased use of biocides within consumer products upon the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 16, 189-208. eScholarID:1d7011
  • Gilbert P, McBain AJ. (2003). Potential impact of increased use of biocides in consumer products on prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 16(2), 189-208. eScholarID:1d4392
  • Hopkins MJ, Englyst HN, Macfarlane S, Furrie E, Macfarlane GT, McBain AJ. (2003). Degradation of cross-linked and non-cross-linked Arabinoxylans by the intestinal microbiota in children. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69(11), 6354-6360. eScholarID:1d6994
  • Mark J. Hopkins, Hans N. Englyst, Sandra Macfarlane, Elizabeth Furrie, George T. Macfarlane, McBain AJ. (2003). Degradation of Cross-Linked and Non-Cross-Linked Arabinoxylans by the Intestinal Microbiota in Children. 69, 6354-6360. eScholarID:1d11792
  • McBain AJ, Bartolo RG, Cat, Charbonneau D, Ledder RG, Price BB, Gilbert P. (2003). Long-term exposure of sink drain microcosms to triclosan: effects upon bacterial vitality and antimicrobial susceptibility. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69, 5433-5422. eScholarID:1d7012
  • McBain AJ, Bartolo RG, Catrenich CE, Carbonneau D, Ledder RG, Ledder RG, Price BB, Gilbert P. (2003). Exposure of Sink Drain Microcosms to Triclosan; Population Dynamics and Antimicrobial Susceptibility. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69(9), 5433-5422. eScholarID:1d7617 | DOI:10.1128/AEM.69.9.5433-5442.2003
  • McBain AJ, Bartolo RG, Catrenich CE, Charbonneau D, Ledder R, Gilbert P. (2003). Growth and molecular characterization of dental plaque microcosms. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 94, 655-664. eScholarID:1d4271
  • McBain AJ, Bartolo RG, Catrenich CE, Charbonneau D, Ledder RG, Ledder RG, Gilbert P. (2003). Effects of a Chlorhexidine Gluconate-Containing Mouthwash the Vitality and Anticmicrobial Susceptibility of In Vitro Oral Bacterial Ecosystems. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69(8), 4770-4776. eScholarID:1d6025 | DOI:10.1128/AEM.69.8.4770-4776.2003
  • McBain AJ, Bartolo RG, Catrenich CE, Charbonneau D, Ledder RG, Ledder RG, Gilbert P. (2003). Effects of triclosan-containing rinse on the dynamics and antimicrobial susceptibility of in vitro plaque ecosystems. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 47(11), 3531-3538. eScholarID:1d6878 | DOI:10.1128/AAC.47.11.3531-3538.2003
  • McBain AJ, Bartolo RG, Catrenich CE, Charbonneau D, Ledder RG, Ledder RG, Rickard AH, Symmons S, Gilbert P. (2003). Microbial Characterization of Biofilms in Domestic Drains and the establishment of Stable Biofilm Microcosms. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69(1), 177-185. eScholarID:1d4151 | DOI:10.1128/AEM.69.1.177-185.2003
  • McBain AJ, Bartolo RG, Catrenich CE, Charbonneau D, Symmons S, Ledder RG, Rickard AH, Gilbert P. (2003). Characterisation of domestic drain biofilm, and the establishment of stable microcosms. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69, 177-185. eScholarID:1d7010
  • Rickard AH, McBain AJ, Ledder R, Handley PP.S, Gilbert P. (2003). Coaggregation between freshwater bacteria within biofilm and planktonic communities. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 220, 133-140. eScholarID:1d4306

2002

  • McBain AJ, Gilbert P. (2002). Biofilms: adverse economic impacts and their avoidance. eScholarID:4d49
  • Gilbert P, McBain AJ, Sally Bloomfield. (2002). Biocide abuse and antimicrobial resistance: being clear about the issues. The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. ( 50, pp. 137-139). eScholarID:3d204
  • Rickard AH, Allison DG, McBain AJ, Handley PP.S, Gilbert P. (2002). Identification of a 70 kDA coaggregation adhesin expressed by the freshwater biofilm bacterium blastomonas natatoria 2.1. eScholarID:2d1011
  • Rickard AH, McBain AJ, Handley PP.S, Gilbert P. (2002). Coaggregation and biofilm formation in a freshwater ecosystem. eScholarID:2d917
  • Gilbert P, Allison DG, McBain AJ. (2002). Biofilms in vitro and in vivo: do singular mechanisms imply cross-resistance? Antibiotic and Biocide Resistance in Bacteria, 92 Supp, 98S-110S. eScholarID:1d1927
  • Gilbert P, Tomas Maira-Litran, McBain AJ, Rickard AH, Whyte F. (2002). The Physiology and Collective Recalcitrance of Microbial Biofilm Communities. Advances in Microbial Physiology, 46, 203-256. eScholarID:1d1925
  • McBain AJ, Rickard AH, Gilbert P. (2002). Possible implications of biocide accumulation in the environment on the prevalence of bacterial antibiotic resistance. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology, 29, 326-330. eScholarID:1d4162
  • McBain AJ, Rickard AH, Gilbert P. (2002). Potential implications of biocide accumulation in the environment on the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology, 29, 326-330. eScholarID:1d7008

2001

  • Gilbert P, Allison DG, Rickard A, Whyte FW, McBain AJ. (2001). Do biofilms present a nidus for the evolution of antibacterial resistance?. Biofilms Community Interactions : Chance or necessity. Eds Peter Gilbert, David Allison , Melanie Brading, Joanna Verran and Jimmy Walker (Contributions made at the Fifth Meeting of the Biofilm Club). eScholarID:3d309
  • McBain AJ, Gilbert P. (2001). Competition and selection: Can we extrapolate from simple models to complex communities?. Biofilm Community Interactions: Chance or Necessity. eScholarID:3d97
  • Symmons S, McBain AJ, Allison DG, Gilbert P. (2001). A prominent role for microfauna in biofilm population dynamics. Biofilm Community Interactions: Chance or Necessity. eScholarID:3d308
  • Watson AP, Gilbert P, Allison DG, McBain AJ. (2001). Biofilm Communities on Healthy Human Skin. Biofilm Community Interactions: Chance or Necessity. eScholarID:3d369
  • Gilbert P, Allison DG, McBain AJ. (2001). Biofilms in vitro and in vivo: is there a linkage between biocide and antibiotic resistance?. eScholarID:2d956
  • Symmons S, Gilbert P, Ledder R, Allison DG, Charbonneau D, McBain AJ. (2001). A role for microfauna in the ecology of microbial biofilm communities. eScholarID:2d335
  • Gilbert P, McBain AJ. (2001). Biofilms: their impact upon health and their recalcitrance towards biocides. American Journal of Infection Control, 29, 252-255. eScholarID:1d23854
  • McBain AJ, Gilbert P. (2001). Biocide tolerance development and the harbingers of doom. International Journal of Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 47, 55-61. eScholarID:1d4168
  • McBain AJ, Macfarlane GT. (2001). Modulation of genotoxic enzyme activities by non-digestible oligosaccharide metabolism in in-vitro human gut bacterial ecosystems. Journal of Medical Microbiology, 50, 832-841. eScholarID:1d4208

2000

  • Heavy PM, McBain AJ, Rumney CJ, Rowland IR, Savage SAH, Edwards CA. (2000). Metabolic properties of faecal samples from breast-fed and formula-fed babies. eScholarID:2d1006
  • Hopkins MJ, McBain AJ, Macfarlane S, Macfarlane GT. (2000). Comparison of the Major Groups of intestinal anaerobes and facultative anaerobes in children, adults and elderly subjects using 16s rRNA measurements, commuity cellular fatty acid analysis and viable counting procedures. eScholarID:2d1043
  • Hopkins MJ, McBain AJ, Macfarlane S, Macfarlane GT. (2000). comparison of the major groups of intestinal anaerobes and facultative anaerobes in children, adults and elderly subjects using 16s rRNA measurements, community cellular fatty acid analysis and viable counting procedures. eScholarID:2d865
  • McBain AJ, Allison DG, Gilbert P. (2000). Emerging strategies for the control of microbial biofilms. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 17, 267-279. eScholarID:1d893

1999

  • McBain AJ, Gilbert P. (1999). Biofilms: adverse economic impacts and their avoidance. eScholarID:2d179

1998

  • Macfarlane GT, McBain AJ. (1998). The human colonic microbiota. Colonic Microflora, Nutrition and Health. Kluwer Academic Publ. eScholarID:3d508
  • Hopkins MJ, McBain AJ, Cummings JH. (1998). Bifidobacterial utilisation of monosaccharides, disaccaraides, oligofructoses and other oligosaccharide substrates. eScholarID:2d1138
  • Macfarlane S, McBain AJ, Rabiu B, Macfarlane GT. (1998). Metabolism of polysaccharides and short chain carboydrates by human colonic biofilm communities. eScholarID:2d1007
  • McBain AJ, Macfarlane S, Rabiu B, Macfarlane GT. (1998). Short chain carbohydrate metabolism in human colonic microbiotas. eScholarID:2d1008

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