Prof Chloe James' Recognition (74)

Scientific Advisory Group for Knocking Out AMR_ Microbiology Society Project
2024 - 2029

Recognition Type	Committee/board/panel member or chair (external)
Description	The Scientific Advisory Group is responsible for providing scientific expertise and advice to staff in the delivery of the Knocking Out Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) project, as well as hands-on support for the delivery of some project activities. The remit and responsibilities of the Scientific Advisory group are to: Provide scientific expertise, advice and hands-on support in delivering the project’s programme of activities; and Proactively report to staff on upcoming scientific opportunities and news in the field of AMR that pertain to the project’s solution areas. Members of the Scientific Advisory Group are expected to be actively involved with the delivery of project activities and be highly engaged with individual activities, in some cases having direct ownership for them. Tasks so far completed: - Lead advisor on web content and explainers for journalists Oct '24 - May: '25 - Delivering updates on the the project at Journal meetings (JGV)- Nov 24' Lead organiser and chair of webinar on novel antimicrobial therapeutics with academic and industry leaders: Jan '25 - Representative for the society at bilateral meeting between Belgium and UK at the Embassy in Brussels: March '25 - Discussing KO-AMR project with members and delegates at annual conference: April '25 - Liaison with Belgian Society of Microbiology re coordinating joint activities June '25 Tasks ongoing: - Writing a roadmap article - Planning and organising a big KO-AMR meeting Terms of Reference - https://microbiologysociety.org/static/77bc5ac2-5147-41c6-904bd0f5342baed1/Terms-of-Reference-KO-AMR-Scientific-Advisory-Group-2024-1.pdf
Affiliated Organisations	Microbiology Society
Research Centres/Groups	Biomedical Research
URL	https://microbiologysociety.org/why-microbiology-matters/knocking-out-antimicrobial-resistance/knocking-out-amr-scientific-advisory-group.html

Chosen Royal Society Summer Science Exhibitor 2022 and 2024
2022 - 2024

Recognition Type	Awards and prizes (external)
Description	Privileged to be chosen by The Royal Society to showcase our phage research at the Summer Sci Expo in London 2022 and Jodrell Bank 2024
Affiliated Organisations	The Royal Society
Research Themes	Enabling Healthier Living Developing Cutting-edge Creativity and Practice
Research Centres/Groups	Biomedical Research Centre for Future Engineering
Projects	Prophage host interactions: pulling back the curtains on Pseudomonas puppet masters
Org Units	Research & Knowledge Exchange School of Science, Engineering & Environment
URL	https://scicomm.space/rs22

Chair of Impact and Influence Committee for The Microbiology Society
2020 - 2022

Recognition Type	Committee/board/panel member or chair (external)
Description	Reporting to Advisory Council, the Impact and Influence Committee is primarily responsible for overseeing the delivery of key objectives of the Society strategy: By harnessing local knowledge for worldwide impact, we will advance understanding of microbiology and champion the contribution made by microbiology, our members and their work in addressing global challenges This involves advancing the understanding and impact of microbiology by highlighting the global importance of the work of Society members and other microbiologists. The Committee also provides advice and expertise to Advisory Council on the advancement of this objective. ToR: https://microbiologysociety.org/static/ca78c87e-b184-4ff4-81282fc3f0ec2bd8/Impact-and-Influence-Committee-Terms-of-Reference-2025.pdf As chair of this committee, I also sat on council to contribute to key decision making and shaping strategy, importantly laying the ground work for the major Knocking out AMR project.
Affiliated Organisations	Microbiology Society
Research Centres/Groups	Biomedical Research
URL	https://microbiologysociety.org/who-we-are/governance/committees/impact-and-influence-committee.html

Access and Participation Plan Steering Committee: Member
2023

Recognition Type	Committee/board/panel member or chair (internal)
Description	HANS representative, working with 3 other SEE Reps to shape strategy for SEE contribution to APP. Report to University APP Steering committee.
Affiliated Organisations	- The University of Salford

Public Engagement and Outreach Lead for SEE
2023

Recognition Type	Committee/board/panel member or chair (internal)
Description	Developed OPEN: Outreach and Public Engagement Network. A bottom up community of practice for staff in SEE to share ideas and opportunities, develop their practice and pool resources to enable more strategic planning of public engagement and outreach.
Affiliated Organisations	- The University of Salford

Chair of Committee on Genetically Modified Organisms
2013

Recognition Type	Committee/board/panel member or chair (internal)
Description	Organise and chair annual GMO committee meetings and reports and keep admin up to date on H&S repository. Advise staff and students on preparing their GMO risk assessments and applications to HSE. Recently succeeded in approval of GMO class II activities at Salford.
Affiliated Organisations	- The University of Salford

Conference Organiser: Northwest Microbiology
2104 - 2018

Recognition Type	Conference organisation
Description	Organised regional microbiology conference focused on postgraduate research student presentations. This is a long standing conference run by the Northwest Microbiology Group spanning Manchester, Liverpool, MMU, Lancaster, Bangor, Chester, Bolton and we brought Salford in t the group in 2014.
Affiliated Organisations	- The University of Salford University of Liverpool Manchester Metropolitan University The University of Manchester University of Lancashire University of Bolton Bangor University

Session Chair Viruses of Microbes UK Conference
2023 - 2024

Recognition Type	Conference organisation
Description	Acted as chair for conference sessions - PGR and Postdoc talks on phage research as part of a 2 day programme
Projects	Prophage host interactions: pulling back the curtains on Pseudomonas puppet masters

Session Chair for International Conference: Phages
2022 - 2025

Recognition Type	Conference organisation
Description	Regular Session Chair for Annual International Phages conference in Oxford
Research Themes	Enabling Healthier Living
Research Centres/Groups	Biomedical Research
Projects	Prophage host interactions: pulling back the curtains on Pseudomonas puppet masters

Board of Reviewers: Journal of General Virology
2024

Recognition Type	Editorial positions and memberships on Editorial Boards
Description	Invited to join board of reviewers for Journal of General Virology as a new strategic move to welcome phage research articles and encourage their submission since they were previously viewed as out of scope as bacterial viruses.
Affiliated Organisations	Microbiology Society
Research Centres/Groups	Biomedical Research
Projects	Prophage host interactions: pulling back the curtains on Pseudomonas puppet masters
Org Units	Research & Knowledge Exchange

Editorial Board Microbiology Today
2019 - 2023

Recognition Type	Editorial positions and memberships on Editorial Boards
Affiliated Organisations	Microbiology Society

External Examiner MMU: BSc Microbiology & Molecular Biology; BSc Biology
2021 - 2025

Recognition Type	External examining and assessing
Description	Reviewed BSc Microbiology & Molecular Biology; BSc Biology programmes.
Affiliated Organisations	Manchester Metropolitan University

External PhD viva Examiner Completions n = 16
2015 - 2025

Recognition Type	External examining and assessing
Description	Acted as External Examiner for PhD students at the following institutions: The University of Manchester x 1 complete Manchester Metropolitan University x2 complete The University of Liverpool x4 complete x 1 upcoming The University of York x 1 complete, x1 upcoming Anglia Ruskin University x 1 complete The University of Sheffield x 1 complete Imperial College London x 1 complete The University of Cambridge x 1 complete Leuven KU university, Belgium x 1 complete The University of Leicester x 1 upcoming
Affiliated Organisations	Anglia Ruskin University Imperial College London Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Manchester Metropolitan University The University of Manchester University of Cambridge University of Leicester University of Liverpool University of Sheffield University of Y

£7988 Pump Priming Funds: Bioinformatics for RNASeq Analysis
2025 - 2025

Recognition Type	Internal funding award
Description	£7988 to be spent on part time bioinformatician salary 0.5FTE Jan-April This would pump prime the next stage of phage research by finding patterns in our transcriptomics data to develop meaningful stories for publication and the next BBSRC grant application. Hierarchical gene clustering and pathway analysis performed to identify key targets for nanostring experiments. Outputs: Publication - in prep Grant application - in early planning stages
Affiliated Organisations	- The University of Salford University of Liverpool Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council
Research Themes	Enabling Healthier Living
Research Centres/Groups	Biomedical Research
Projects	Prophage host interactions: pulling back the curtains on Pseudomonas puppet masters
Org Units	Research & Knowledge Exchange School of Science, Engineering & Environment

£14,388 Public Participatory in Research Fund
2024 - 2025

Recognition Type	Internal funding award
Description	£14,388 Funds awarded for application by Chloe James and Sarah Withers to build on proven expertise in engaging Sci-Art exhibits to deliver 5 Tech-Truck engagement events that reflect BRIC research themes. We planned to open this to BRIC members who would use a range of activities, including virtual-reality experiences, working models, crafts and portable biomedical equipment, supported by beautiful and inspiring images and animation that represent our research. This aimed to help us make new connections between scientific enquiry, technology and under-served communities, promoting meaningful dialogue. We planned to work with our local council and school partners targeting key events throughout the calendar. Critically, we planned to embed feedback surveys, using the University of Salford’s Public Engagement Toolkit, within each event. This would ensure ongoing learning and improvement by listening to the public’s need to inform our future research directions. Co-development of events was planned to nurture our ECRs in their practice, with mentorship underpinned by the SEE public engagement and outreach network (OPEN) led by Professor James. A 3D printer was purchased for live printing of themed keepsakes at each event and we have developed bespoke activities together with makerspace.
Affiliated Organisations	- The University of Salford
Research Themes	Enabling Healthier Living
Research Centres/Groups	Biomedical Research

£5,052 Research Impact Funds for Developing Educational Phage Models and Stakeholder Engagement
2024 - 2025

Recognition Type	Internal funding award
Description	£3000 + £2,052 top up £3000 To broaden the reach of our digital DIY package of educational phage models that will strengthen interactions with non-academic stakeholders in pharma industry, healthcare, schools and policy makers. Specifically funds were awarded to re-employ the same intern that did the initial work developing our digital resources (1 day a week for 5 months) to complete the final stage with some explainer videos and publication of the resources toolkit. They will then follow up with our key stakeholders with surveys to capture their feedback and write a publication. Anticipated outcome: accelerate the impact of our research on phage biology and interactive models of phage infection Status: Package complete and publicly available on Makerworld. Resources aligned to key stage 4. Poster presented at Microbiology Society Annual Conference and won prize for best poster in Education section. Publication drafted and ready for submission. £2,053 Top Up: To explore a new addition to the phage activities with an Augmented Reality company - FeedAR. Funds would cover initial consultancy fees for ideation workshops
Research Themes	Enabling Healthier Living Developing Cutting-edge Creativity and Practice
Research Centres/Groups	Biomedical Research Creative Technology Research Centre
Projects	Prophage host interactions: pulling back the curtains on Pseudomonas puppet masters
Org Units	Research & Knowledge Exchange School of Science, Engineering & Environment
URL	https://makerworld.com/en/models/1413039-phage-lysogenic#profileId-1467109

£7,701 UKRI Policy Support Fund
2024 - 2025

Recognition Type	Internal funding award
Description	Awarded £7,701 to support engagement activities in parliament. Invited to discuss phage therapy in House of Lords bringing interactive educational tools that we developed to help non-experts understand phage biology. Our models and virtual reality (VR)-Lung are recognised as excellent primers for meaningful dialogue about the challenges of phage therapy. Baroness Natalie Bennett hosted us at The House of Lords in February and April 2025 to raise awareness and understanding of our research. The policy support funds were awarded to 1. work with VR-developers to tweak our immersive activities to more specifically address the licencing impasse with clear messaging for policymakers. 2. Travel and accommodation for a trip to Exeter to plan the two visits with collaborators. 3. Travel and accommodation for 2 visits to the House of Lords. 4. Follow-up visits to Salford campus from local politicians and stakeholders for further discussions to identify local actions and impact. Anticipated Outputs: 1) Targeted engagement tools towards policymakers better understanding of phage: Achieved - and used since for engagement with stakeholders in cystic fibrosis trust and NHS 2) White Paper on therapeutic phage licencing rules: In early stage development 3) Roadmap article - invited by The Microbiology Society: in prep 4) Blog article for The Microbiology Society Knocking Out AMR project: in prep Potential Impact: 1) Improved policymaker awareness of issues challenging phage therapy. 2) Incorporation of phages into the National Curriculum 2) Legislation on GMP to expedite effective UK production of therapeutic phages. 3) Increased success in UK treatment of difficult bacterial infections. 4) Reduction of the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Affiliated Organisations	- The University of Salford Microbiology Society Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust University of Exeter University of Leicester University of Liverpool
Research Themes	Enabling Healthier Living
Research Centres/Groups	Biomedical Research
Projects	Prophage host interactions: pulling back the curtains on Pseudomonas puppet masters
Org Units	Research & Knowledge Exchange School of Science, Engineering & Environment University of Salford
URL	https://testlivesalfordac.sharepoint.com/sites/SchoolofScienceEngineeringEnvironment/SitePages/Spreading-the-word-on-Phages-to-the-Lords.aspx?xsdata=MDV8MDJ8Qy5KYW1lc0BzYWxmb3JkLmFjLnVrfGViYTFmOTljZTFmOTRlZmJiNjc0MDhkZDdiMzhmYzdifDY1YjUyOTQwZjRiNjQxYmQ4Mz

£9,590 Pump Priming Funds: To Develop and Evaluate Accessible Educational Models of Phage Infection
2023 - 2024

Recognition Type	Internal funding award
Description	AIMS: To create a digital downloadable DIY package for a wide client base to 3D-print simplified versions of our educational models and use accompanying educational materials to enhance engagement and understanding of bacteriophages. An intern was employed to work alongside Makerspace and CJ to: 1.Simplify the model blueprint for cost-effective production and test for ease of assembly and robustness for sustained use. 2.Produce digital and hard-copy educational materials about AMR, phages and model construction. 3.Develop a marketing / distribution platform.
Affiliated Organisations	- The University of Salford
Research Themes	Developing Cutting-edge Creativity and Practice
Research Centres/Groups	Biomedical Research
Projects	Prophage host interactions: pulling back the curtains on Pseudomonas puppet masters
Org Units	Research & Knowledge Exchange School of Science, Engineering & Environment
URL	file:///C:/Users/els262/OneDrive%20-%20University%20of%20Salford/IMPACT_Post_2024/Educational%20Phage%20Models/Pump%20Priming%20Fund%20Final%20Report_4thOct24.pdf

£7,000 QR and RCIF: Addressing AMR Surveillance Gaps to inform practices using a One Health Approach
2022 - 2023

Recognition Type	Internal funding award
Description	Additional QR and RCIF to address ongoing uncertainty over access to EU Programmes: An open competition was run by the centre in which we were invited to pitch ideas to fellow academics and RKE staff. I pitched 3 ideas, two of which were voted top: IDEA 1: Addressing AMR Surveillance Gaps to inform practices using a One Health Approach Funds were awarded to support team building and generation of preliminary data towards JPIAMR specific call for One Health approaches to tackle antimicrobial resistance: “AMR Diagnostics and Surveillance”: https://www.jpiamr.eu/calls/diagnostics-surveillance-call-2023/ This proposal directly built on work from Salford Antibiotic Resistance Network (James, Ackers, Goodhead & Birtles). Local data to inform antimicrobial stewardship https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.001000 formed our Impact case study (UoA 3, REF 2021): “Improving healthcare systems to tackle antimicrobial resistant infections in Uganda”. We proposed progressing this work with a One Health approach, that piggy-backs epidemiology and capacity building work (GCRF-funded Covid surveillance in Northern Uganda and more recent funds to survey CCHF virus Birtles, Goodhead and Ackers). We draw from strengths in public engagement (James: Royal Society Summer Science Expo and Microbiology Society “Knocking out AMR”) to maximise impact. QR funds would enable: 1.Network building: Ugandan collaborator(s) to complete a short research visit to UK along with proposed collaborators from Galway, Edinburgh, and APHA. 2.Preliminary data: Collection, culture identification, AMR profiling and DNA extraction from preliminary samples by Dr Litta at NaLIRRI, Uganda. A pooled DNA sample would be used to generate preliminary nanopore data during the UK research visit. Outcomes: We conducted networking activities and generated preliminary data, but the JPIAMR bid became difficult to pursue as UK status was uncertain requiring a partner from a 4th country. We didn't feel we could build a meaningful new partnership in the time.
Research Themes	Enabling Healthier Living
Research Centres/Groups	Biomedical Research

£23,000 QR and RCIF: Can cranberry extract reduce recurrent urinary tract infections and the need for antibiotics?
2022 - 2023

Recognition Type	Internal funding award
Description	Additional QR and RCIF to address ongoing uncertainty over access to EU Programmes: An open competition was run by the centre in which we were invited to pitch ideas to fellow academics and RKE staff. I pitched 3 ideas, two of which were voted top: IDEA 2: Can cranberry extract reduce recurrent urinary tract infections and the need for antibiotics? Building on ongoing work using a 3D cell model of urinary epithelium and collaborations with the University of Oxford to investigate the role of components of cranberry extract in reducing bacterial adhesion and invasion of the bladder. Funds were awarded to cover: - 0.3 Chemistry Technician time for 5 months (Lee Harman) - £5,000 - 0.2 PDRA time for 5 months (Andrea Giachino) - £9,000 - 7 days Prof time (Chloe James) - £3,000 - Consumables for PAC extraction, GC-MS and NMR analysis - £5,000 - Consumables for detection of cytokines in urine from previous d-mannose trial for UTI prevention - £1000 Specific project focus: Urinary tract infection (UTI) accounts for ~3% of GP consultations and is almost always managed with immediate antibiotics. In light of rising antimicrobial resistance, there is growing interest in switching to non-antibiotic therapies (e.g. cranberry extract). Up to 27% of women report using cranberry to help manage symptoms of an acute UTI. Evidence suggests key cranberry components, proanthocyanidins (PACs) or their metabolites, block the binding of uropathogenc Escherichia coli (UPEC) to the uroepithelial lining, to in turn prevent UTI. An application was made to NIHR for a clinical trial test cranberry extract as an acute UTI treatment in primary care to reduce symptoms and delay or prevent use of antibiotics. Proposal was declined: 1) lack of evidence that PACs / PAC metabolites would be present in sufficient quantities in urine and 2) methods for determination of UTI were not clear. Though the gold standard for detection is high numbers of E. coli in the urine (>105 cfu / mL), the trial required urine to be sent in the post. With no control of storage conditions and time from collection to processing, this means that detection of more stable markers is needed. Aims and Objectives: This study will use artificial urine and urine samples from a previous similar clinical trial of d-mannose to test Three key hypotheses as a proof of principle to support further mechanistic studies of whether PACs can reduce UPEC binding to the bladder epithelium. 1: Mass Spec and Metabolomic methods can detect and quantify PAC metabolites of artificially metabolised cranberry supplements in artificial urine. 2: ELISA detection of Raised IL6, IL8 and IL1β in urine from a previous trial can distinguish healthy patients from those with UTI. 3. PAC metabolites in Artificial Urine reduce binding of well-characterised UPEC strains to the bladder epithelium (We have the strains, modified primary bladder epithelial cells and methods) Outputs: This work would support major grant application to further investigate the mechanism by which PACs affect bacterial binding to the bladder epithelium. This would bolster a re-application to run the full trial that would generate a large number of samples for detection of PAC metabolites and markers of infection in real-world samples. Impact: Major funding would enable us to: 1.Strengthen partnership with NHS collaborators in Oxford 2.Bring together microbiology, immunology and microbiology work at Salford 3.Reduce recurrent UTIs and antibiotic use Target Funders: NIHR, BBSRC Kidney Research UK Outcomes: Pilot experiments to detect key components in Urine were carried out. Application to NIHR was not successful. However, the project did help to build new internal relationships between Chemistry and Microbiology.
Affiliated Organisations	- The University of Salford University of Oxford
Research Themes	Enabling Healthier Living
Research Centres/Groups	Biomedical Research
Org Units	Research & Knowledge Exchange School of Science, Engineering & Environment