About Dr Callum Cooper
I joined the School of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Sciences as a Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Microbiology in 2018. I graduated from Lancaster University with a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences with Biomedicine in 2005 and an MSc in Biomedical Science from the University of the West of England in 2006. I successfully completed my PhD from Cardiff University in 2011 during which time I studied the potential use of bacteriophages for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa respiratory infections.
My initial postdoctoral work at Cardiff University, in collaboration with colleagues in Turkey, focused on the formulation and efficacy of chemical biocides against Bacillus anthracis from contaminated animal burial sites.
In 2015, I relocated to Stockholm University, where I was involved in a number of projects focusing on bacteriophage biology and phage-based therapeutics.
My primary research focus is on bacteriophages, both as an alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of multidrug resistant bacterial infections and also the basic biology and evolution of phages. I also maintain an active interest in infection control, decontamination and bacterial biofilms.
Teaching and supervision
I teach microbiology on MPharm Pharmacy and BSc (Hons) Biopharmaceutical Science.
Interests
- Bacteriophage biology and Phage therapy
- Antimicrobial drug development
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Biocide efficacy and formulation
Research
Since the completion of my PhD, my research has primarily focused on the development of bacteriophages (phages) as an alternative way of treating multidrug resistant bacterial infections and environmental contamination. I have also previously been involved in a number of industry and government-sponsored projects looking at the formulation and antimicrobial efficacy of chemical biocides.
Phages and Phage Therapy
Phages are viruses which specifically infect bacterial cells and are believed to be one of the most abundant biological entities on the face of the Earth. Once phages have successfully infected their bacterial hosts, they can integrate their genomes into the host or replicate and ultimately destroy the bacterial host. Historically, phage therapy has been confined to Eastern Europe, where it is still used to treat many common ailments. Due to an urgent need for new antimicrobial agents, there is renewed interest in the application of phages and their derived antimicrobial products to treat resistant bacterial infections in the wider world.
Areas of expertise
- Phage biology and therapy
- Antimicrobial formulation and delivery
Further information
Editorial Boards
- Journal of Applied Microbiology
- Letters in Applied Microbiology
Professional Memberships
- Society for Applied Microbiology (SfAM)
- Microbiology Society