Previous research work in collaboration with the University of Tel Aviv, Israel has shown that the endonuclease is capable of assembly with another enzyme to produce a latent anticodon nuclease. We investigated the activity of this complex with a view to its application within the area of inhibition of the growth of the HIV virus (the enzyme cleaves the replication primer of HIV). Novel Type I R-M systems have also been detected in other organisms, and collaboration with groups in Russia and the USA have allowed us to characterise these systems.
I successfully negotiated a contract with Hampshire Scientific Services to develop a robust method to screen food for genetically modified content and to train their staff in these techniques. I believe this was the first commercial contract for the University of Portsmouth arranged in the area of molecular biology. This high profile project has attracted much press coverage and is hoped to provide the University with further involvement with HSS.
I have presented a large number of papers and posters at a wide range scientific meetings (See “papers read and posters presented”). I have been invited to present seminars at a wide range of international conferences and workshops.
|
Committee or Post |
Dates involved |
|
Molecular Biology Course Leader |
1995 - 1999 |
|
University Ethics Committee |
1990 - 1991 |
|
Faculty Marketing Committee |
1999 - 2001 |
|
Departmental Timetabler |
1999 - 2002 |
|
Year Zero Course Leader |
2000 - 2002 |
|
1998 - 2000 |
|
|
1990 - 2005 |
|
|
2003 - 2004 |
|
|
2003-2005 |
|
|
1990-2005 |
I was the Molecular Biology Degree Course Leader before amalgamation of this degree into the current “multi-pathway scheme”. I was involved in the development of the original Departmental pages for the World Wide Web. I was until a few years ago the Departmental Timetabler and as such I was a member of the Departmental Curriculum Development Group. I was an initial member of the University Ethics Committee and briefly a member of the Faculty Marketing Committee. I was appointed Course Leader for a newly introduced Extended Degree Scheme in Sports Science, Psychology and Radiography for a two-year period from 2000-2002. I was for two years a member of the Project Committee, which oversees the running of 3rd year research projects and dissertations and as a Course Leader a member of the School of Biology Curriculum Management Committee
Committee or Post |
From |
Frequency of Meetings |
|
Faculty Higher Degrees Committee |
May 2003 |
Every three months |
|
Faculty IT Committee |
Oct 2002 |
Bi-annual |
|
Unified Communications Focus Group |
Sept 2006 |
? |
|
Faculty T & L Committee |
Oct 1996 |
Every three months |
|
School Research Committee |
Feb 2002 |
Bi-annual |
|
School Artefacts Committee (Molecular Biology) |
July 2003 |
Bi-annual |
|
School Curriculum Management Group |
Jan 1999 |
Bi-annual |
|
School Senior Management Group |
Feb 2002 |
Bi-annual |
|
Cognate Area Leader (Mol. Biol.) |
Summer 2003 |
N/A |
|
Board of Teachers (review ‘molecular’ exam papers |
Summer 2003 |
Bi-annual |
|
Board of Studies
|
Summer 2003 |
Bi-annual |
|
PDSQR (for above) |
Summer 2003 |
Ad Hoc |
I recently was asked to lead a group preparing Quality Assurance Material for Teaching and Learning. I was until a few years ago the University Biological Safety Officer with responsibility for class I and class II genetic manipulation procedures within the University. I was until very recently also an active member of the Science Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee, the University Research Degrees Committee and the Faculty Research Degrees Committee. Finally, I was asked to sit as the outside voting member of the School of Pharmacy Research Resources Committee
I have advised Cambridge Biosciences on the application of the GM regulations when they established a new laboratory used to store and sequence recombinant DNA. I have also advised Hampshire Scientific Services about establishing a Molecular Biology Laboratory for screening food for GM-content. I am currently external consultant to Pall Europe, Portsmouth in matters relating to Genetically Modified Organisms and sit on their G-MAG Committee.
I have reviewed a number of research grants from EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC, The Wellcome Trust and from the Czech Republic Grants Agency as well as refereeing research papers from J. Gen. Microbiol., J. Mol. Biol., Protein Engineering, Molecular Microbiology and Plasmid.
I am co-ordinator of the NanoNet Nanotechnology Network.
I was a member of a group who coordinated a bid to the DTI for Nano-Launch-Pad. This involved high-level contacts with Oxford, Southampton, Surrey and The Rutherford Labs.
I was a consultant to Pall Europe on the use of genetically modified organism and sit on their biology safety committee.
I have been invited to the USA to attend a Nanotechnology Road Mapping exercise for the Foresight Institute (personal invite from Eric Drexler).
I have been invited to partake in discussions, hosted by the British Standards Institute, on the Bio-Nano Interface.
I have been asked to join the steering committee of the TESSY Group - an EC-funded Consortium who are preparing a EU roadmap in Synthetic Biology
Last modified on
23 December 2011
© Dr Keith Firman
Author Dr Keith Firman.