{"id":56,"date":"2021-09-01T15:28:57","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T14:28:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/med.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/?page_id=56"},"modified":"2021-09-01T15:28:57","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T14:28:57","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/hammond\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Hammond Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section – Hammond Menu” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#0071b3″ min_height=”38px” max_height=”150px” custom_margin=”||-20px||false|false” custom_padding=”5px||0px||false|false” global_module=”180″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”81px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_menu menu_id=”14″ active_link_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” menu_text_color=”#FFFFFF” menu_font_size=”18px” background_color=”#0071b3″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”||||false|false”][\/et_pb_menu][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section – Hammond Breadcrumbs” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-50px|auto||auto|false|false” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Research Breadcrumbs” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” content__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”]Research Groups<\/a> > Hammond<\/a> > Research[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-110px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” collapsed=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Txt – Header” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Research<\/b><\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Txt – Intro” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Dr Hammond\u2019s research follows four main strands:<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”nd” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-110px||||false|false”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Novel Diagnosis” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Development of Novel Diagnostics<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing threat this is already costing the global economy billions of pounds per year, notwithstanding the personal and clinical impacts it has on patients and their families. A seminal report by Professor Jim O\u2019Neill stated explicitly that one of the few methods to combat this threat is with the application of rapid, sensitive diagnostics that can determine bacterial susceptibility in a few minutes. Our research is focussed upon this task and has met with great success. In 2016 we won a Longitude Discovery Award. In 2017 we were runner up for the Times Higher Education Awards and in 2018 we both won the Scottish Life Sciences Award for New Innovation and spun out a company to commercialise our technology. This company has attracted >$35m(USD) in funding and employs over 25 people in Scotland.<\/p>\n

We are in the process of developing new technology and welcome interest from potential new students and colleagues.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2021\/09\/Picture1-Copy.jpg” alt=”The team behind SLIC’s development” admin_label=”Img – SLIC dev team” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-29px|||||”]<\/p>\n

The team behind SLIC\u2019s development<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section – Grey” module_id=”mtb” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f9f9f9″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”MTB” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Mycobacterial resistance and disease relapse<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Mycobacteria, and specifically Mycobacterium tuberculosis <\/em>(MTB),<\/em> cause disease and death on a global scale but disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). One of the difficulties of treating MTB is its propensity to evade the immune system and the intensive drug regimen prescribed to suffering patients. This is believed to be in part due to the bacteria\u2019s ability to enter a \u2018dormant\u2019 phenotype, leading to \u2018latent\u2019 disease. When in this phenotype MTB will appear to have been treated successfully but will frequently relapse after a number of months or years.<\/p>\n

Previous work undertaken in Dr Hammond\u2019s lab has shown that it is possible to force mycobacteria into a dormant phenotype using a variety of stress conditions. When in this phenotype mycobacteria express lipid inclusion vesicles, termed lipid bodies. These lipid rich cells have been shown to be up to 40X more resistant to the antibiotics used to treat patients.<\/p>\n

What Dr Hammond and colleagues are attempting to do now is to discover the mechanisms by which mycobacteria become lipid rich, if this can be prevented and how to treat patients that carry a large proportion of these resistant bacteria as part of their infection.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2px|2px|2px|2px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2021\/09\/20210910-TB.jpg” custom_padding=”||||false|false” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#FFFFFF”][et_pb_cta admin_label=”CTA – Image Overlay” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” min_height=”240px” height=”240px” hover_enabled=”0″ content__hover_enabled=”on|hover” content__hover=”<\/p>\n

Mycobacteria expressing numerous inclusion vesicles<\/p>\n

” background__hover_enabled=”on|hover” background_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.5)” background_enable_color__hover=”on” title__hover_enabled=”off|hover” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2021\/09\/20210910-TB2.jpg” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#FFFFFF”][et_pb_cta admin_label=”CTA – Image Overlay” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” min_height=”240px” height=”240px” content__hover_enabled=”on|hover” content__hover=”<\/p>\n

Lipid bodies shown to be present at different sites in distinct mycobacterial species<\/p>\n

” background__hover_enabled=”on|hover” background_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.5)” background_enable_color__hover=”on” title__hover_enabled=”off|hover”][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2021\/09\/20210910-TB3.jpg” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#FFFFFF”][et_pb_cta admin_label=”CTA – Image Overlay” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” min_height=”240px” height=”240px” content__hover_enabled=”on|hover” content__hover=”<\/p>\n

Mycobacteria expressing large, obvious lipid bodies after undergoing our unique staining regimen<\/p>\n

” background__hover_enabled=”on|hover” background_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.5)” background_enable_color__hover=”on” title__hover_enabled=”off|hover”][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”amr” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”AMR” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Combination therapy to tackle AMR<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Another method of dealing with AMR has been outlined as using combination therapy. This is using more than one antibiotic at once to treat a resistant infection, clearing that infection, and reducing the emergence of new resistance phenotypes.It is understood that increasing the number of antibiotics given to a patient can have several benefits:<\/p>\n

From the patient\u2019s point of view the chief benefit is that the concentration of each component of the therapy can be reduced significantly. This reduces the chance of a toxic reaction in the patient while still clearing a highly dangerous infection.<\/p>\n

From the scientific and clinical point of view it is known that combination therapies are more difficult for bacteria to evolve resistances to as there are more active agents acting upon each bacterium and the population as a whole.<\/p>\n

The third valuable aspect is synergy. Combining effective agents can lead to an effect that is greater than the sum of the parts. This is synergistic antimicrobial action and is the current focus of Dr Hammond and colleagues. Dr Hammond\u2019s lab are using a high throughput method to hunt for synergistic combinations of antimicrobials to combat currently relevant resistant pathogens (the ESKAPE group) and benefit patient outcomes.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section – Grey” module_id=”covid” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f9f9f9″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Covid” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Covid-19<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A recent Innovate UK grant has added a new workstream to Dr Hammond\u2019s lab, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic UVC light has been seen as a possible method of dampening the effect of viral spread. The effects of UVC light on human skin commensal bacteria is unknown. Dr Hammond and colleagues at the university of Dundee are working to understand what effects, if any, this radiation will have on the bacteria that live on our skin.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2px|2px|2px|2px|false|false” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2021\/09\/202100909-Covid2.jpg” custom_padding=”||||false|false” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#FFFFFF”][et_pb_cta admin_label=”CTA – Image Overlay” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” min_height=”240px” height=”240px” hover_enabled=”0″ content__hover_enabled=”on|hover” content__hover=”<\/p>\n

P. fluorescens.<\/em><\/p>\n

” background__hover_enabled=”on|hover” background_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.5)” background_enable_color__hover=”on” title__hover_enabled=”off|hover” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2021\/09\/20210909-RHLab.jpg” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#FFFFFF”][et_pb_cta admin_label=”CTA – Image Overlay” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” min_height=”240px” height=”240px” hover_enabled=”0″ content__hover_enabled=”on|hover” content__hover=”<\/p>\n

Dr Hammond in his laboratory.<\/p>\n

” background__hover_enabled=”on|hover” background_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.5)” background_enable_color__hover=”on” title__hover_enabled=”off|hover” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2021\/09\/20210914-TenBioLogo.jpg” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#FFFFFF”][et_pb_cta admin_label=”CTA – Image Overlay” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” min_height=”240px” height=”240px” content__hover_enabled=”on|hover” content__hover=”<\/p>\n

TenBio\u2019s innovative skin model.<\/p>\n

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Research Groups > Hammond > ResearchResearchDr Hammond\u2019s research follows four main strands:Development of Novel Diagnostics Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing threat this is already costing the global economy billions of pounds per year, notwithstanding the personal and clinical impacts it has on patients and their families. A seminal report by Professor Jim O\u2019Neill stated […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":0,"parent":190,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-56","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/126"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/research-groups\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}