Science Leader – Molecular Microbiologist
Phil is a scientist with experience in microbiology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. He has published widely within each of these fields including sequencing of human complement components, identification of mutations in the complement gene C1Inh responsible for hereditary angioneurotic oedema, and the use of molecular techniques for population studies of microbial pathogens.
Phil has managed a University DNA sequence and fragment analysis facility, and currently runs the ESR sequencing facility. He has considerable expertise in population genetical methods for typing and subtyping both pathogenic and commensal bacteria.
Current research interests involve:
- horizontal gene transfer in the New Zealand environment
- application of molecular techniques for studying human bacterial pathogens
- implementation of a microbial typing database for national and international comparisons of microbial pathogens