Peter C Gowland

Contact Details

  • email: p.c.gowland@staffs.ac.uk
  • phone: 01782 294581 (+44 1782 294581 outside UK)
  • fax: 01782 745506 (+44 1782 745506 outside UK)
  • postal address: Dr P C Gowland, Faculty of Sciences, Staffordshire University, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DE
    • Expertise and interests

    My research interests lie in the area of bacterial adaptations to the environment and in attempting to understand these adaptations at the biochemical and genetical level. Specifically this includes the evolution of dehalogenases to the breakdown of chlorinated organic compounds, the influence of different nutrient regimes on plasmid stability in aquatic environments, changes in the morphology (and possibly the pathogenicity) of Campylobacter at different oxygen tensions and the potential of microbes to adapt to degrade polymers such as polyvinyl acetate. I also have an interest in applying molecular techniques to the typing of Campylobacter and Neisseria.

    Current Research

    Since 1984 I have attracted approximately £250K in research funding, approximately half from industrial sources. My research has a strong applied bias with most projects being linked to industry or medicine (medical microbiology). Current and recent projects include:

  •  The physiology and molecular biology of non-culturability in the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida. In conjunction with Dr R W Pickup, Institute of Freshwater Ecology, Windermere.
  •  The microbiology and enzymology of dichloroethane biodegradation. In conjunction with Dr J D Allpress (Biology Division)
  •  Isolation and characterisation of bacterial keratinases. In conjunction with Dr J D Allpress and G Mountain (Biology Division)
  •  The influence of oxygen tension on the morphology and outer-membrane proteins of campylobacter. In conjunction with Rosa Rios and Dr A J Fox, Manchester Public Health Laboratory Service
  •  Approaches to the biodegradation and biodeterioration of polymer emulsions. In conjunction with Dr M A Cresswell (Vinamul Ltd) and A J Hesketh and B V Matthews (Biology Division)
  •  The survival of plasmid-containing bacteria in aquatic microcosms. In conjunction with Dr Jon Porter (University of Exeter) and Dr P J McDermott and L H Smith (Biology Division)
    •


    Refereed Publications

    I have approximately 35 publications comprising peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, reviews, presentations and contract reports which cover my biological research interests and those in Biochemical Education. My five most recent refereed publications are:

  • Allpress J D and Gowland P C (1999). Biodegradation of chlorinated paraffins and long-chain chloroalkanes by Rhodococcus sp. S45-1. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 43, 173 - 179
  • McDermott P J, Smith L H, Gowland P and Gowland P C (1999). Enhanced competitiveness of drug resistant Escherichia coli in aquatic microcosms. National Academy of Sciences Letters 22
  • Allpress J D and Gowland P C (1998). Dehalogenases: environmental defence mechanism and model of enzyme evolution. Biochemical Education 26, 267 - 276
  • McDermott P J, Winterman E J, Gowland P and Gowland P C (1997). Enhanced survival of plasmid containing Escherichia coli in aquatic microcosms. World Journal of Microbiology 13, 159 - 161
  • Hesketh A J, Cresswell M A, Gowland P and Gowland P C (1995). Microbial biodegradation of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) emulsions. In: Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 9, 288 - 296. Ed A Bouscher, M Chandra and R Edyvean. Institute of Chemical Engineers, Rugby, UK.
    •


    Academic Background

  • Head of Biology, Staffordshire University, 1997 - present
  •  Principal Lecturer, Staffordshire University, 1992 - 1997
  •  Senior Lecturer, the Manchester Metropolitan University, 1989 - 1991
  • Lecturer, Manchester Polytechnic, 1984 - 1989
  • SERC Research Fellow, UMIST, 1982 - 1984
  • MRC funded PhD student, Warwick University, 1979 - 1982. The transfer and stability of plasmids in mixed microbial communities, supervised by Prof J H Slater
  • BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Biochemistry and Microbiology) Manchester Polytechnic (2.i), 1977 - 1979
  • HND Applied Biology. Manchester Polytechnic, 1975 - 1977
    •


    Current Roles

  •  Head of Biology
  • Member of University Research Degrees Committee
  • Member of University Ethics Committee
  • Chair of School Research Degrees Committee
  • Chair of School Research Ethics Committee
  • Member of School Board
  • Member of University Management Team
  • Member of Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee
    •


    Modules Tutored in Biology

  • Biological skills I (SC0001-1), with all Biology colleagues
  • Biological skills II (SC0002-1), with all Biology colleagues
  • Molecular Biology (SC0004-1), with Drs Mountain and White
  • Biological Wealth Creation (SC0009-1), with Drs Merry, Mountain and White
  • Biological Case Study (SC0028-2), with others
  • Preparing for Work (SC0042-2), with all Biology colleagues
  • Case studies for Joint Award students (SC0055-3), with others
  • Environmental and Agricultural Biotechnology (SC80058-3), with Dr Pauline Gowland
  • Gene Regulation and Development (SC0061-3), with Dr Mountain
  • Molecular and Fermentation Biotechnology (SC0065-3), with Dr Pauline Gowland
  • Projects (SC0069-3), with all Biology colleagues
  • Work Placement/Group Vocational Activity (SC0073-3), with all Biology colleagues
  • Communication and Professional Development (SCM014-M), with others
  • Research Skills Development (SCM015-M), with others
    •
     
     
    Page published by Jon Ranford
    Author: Peter Gowland
    This page last updated on 20/09/99