BioCop.org Women in BioCop - Biographies
Below is a complete list of Women involved in The BioCop Consortium.
Ana Portero Capdevila
Position: Research
Organisation: EU-Community Reference Laboratory on Marine Biotoxins (CRLMB)
Country: Spain
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Qualifications: PhD in Pharmacy
Previous experience:
Development and Validation of methods for determination of shellfish biotoxins. Organisation of interlaboratory and collaborative studies in the field of biotoxins.
Role in BioCop: to provide analytical support during purification of the toxins. Preliminary evaluation of prototype assay kits and demonstration to end-users (official and national reference laboratories).
Anita Larsson
Position: Research Manager
Organisation: Biacore AB, Research & development
Country: Sweden
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
MSc. in Biochemistry
20 years of experience of product development of analytical instruments including development of biochemical reagents and kits, assays, user software, application examples etc.
Role within BioCop: advisor in matters regarding assays, sample handling etc.
Email: anita.larsson@biacore.com
Phone: +46 18 675753
Anna Moberg
Position: Development Engineer
Organisation: Biacore AB, Chemistry group, Systems & Applications
Country: Sweden
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Qualification: Analytical chemist
Previous experience within Biacore: Assay development, development of customer applications, and product development for Biacore technology.
Role within the BioCop project: development and verification of immobilization technologies.
Email: anna.moberg@biacore.com
Phone: +46-18-675797
Cathie Ménard
Position: Lab technician
Organisation: Health Canada
Country: Canada
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Diploma in analytical chemistry from a technical college.
18 years of lab experience mostly with HPLC for the marine toxins and recently on the vet drugs.
Lab support in the development of a fluoroquinolone SPR Biosensor Assay.
Claudia Mazzuca
Position: Post-doc
Organisation: Universitá di Roma Tor Vergata
Country: Rome, Italy
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
During my Master thesis in chemistry, I studied the solution structure of synthetic Ca,a-disubstituted aminoacid-based oligopeptides using spectroscopic techniques (steady state and time-resolved fluorescence, circular dichroism, electronic and vibrational absorption) in conjunction with molecular mechanics calculations. Successively, during my PhD, I investigated the mechanism of action of the natural lipopetaibol antibiotic trichogin GA IV. I combined several experimental techniques (fluorescence spectroscopy, polarized ATR-FTIR, circular dichroism, conductivity experiments on planar bilayer, fluorescence microscopy, in vivo activity essays) to attain a detailed characterization of the physical-chemical parameters that rule its interaction with lipid membranes and the formation of pores.
At present, working as post-doc within the BioCop project, my role is to investigate a set of potential candidates in order to find a suitable receptor to bind the pesticide heptachlor. In particular, this search is being carried out by molecular docking calculations coupled to fluorescence and electrochemical measurements.
Dominique Baiwir
Position: PhD Student
Organisation: Liege University, Centre d’analyse des résidus en traces (CART)
Country: Belgium
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Bachelor in Sciences (Chemistry) in 2002
Master in Sciences (Chemistry) in 2004
Role in BioCop : involved in WP6-WP8 : development of new methods of purification of samples
Dr Ana García Cabado
Position: Head of Microbiology and Biotoxins Area
Organisation: ANFACO-CECOPESCA
Country: Spain
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Ph D in Biological Sciences in 1993.
Post doctoral position at the Research Institute of the Hospital for Sick Children (1994-1996). Collaboration in research, and teaching.
I have a number of publications in biotoxins, cell biology and cell physiology. Coordination and collaboration in different projects.
Role in BioCop, deputy work package leader for Workpackage 5: Biotoxins. Responsible for the project in the industry.
Dr Ir Mariël G. Pikkemaat
Position: Scientific researcher
Organisation: RIKILT DLO
Country: Netherlands
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
PhD in biochemistry, additional experience in foodmicrobiology. Expert in microbiological screening methods for antibiotic residues in animal tissue.
Within BioCop WP8 is responsible for production of incurred (quinolone) poultry, eggs and fish samples and delivery of a sample prep protocol on a microbiological assay for detection of quinolones in these matrices.
Dr Marie-Claire Gillet
Position: Senior Scientist
Organisation: University of Liege
Country: Belgium
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* PhD in Sciences (1984)
* Post Doctoral Fellowship - Ispra (1987 - 1988) - European Community research centre, Italy.
M. C. Gillet is specialized in histology, cytology, cell culture and tissue engineering. Research projects include and are in the field of biomaterials (Walloon Region and NOE / FAME funds), experimental cancerology (F.N.R.S. funds and STREP /ADONIS funds). The cellular interactions with biomaterials (polymers, metallic pieces, textile or nanoparticules) and the cellular response to xenobiotics (chemical contaminants or drugs) are analyzed.
Within the biocop project, Dr. Gillet is involved in work package 2(proteomics) in particular the differential proteomic profiling of MCF-7 BOS cell line exposed to oestrogen-like compounds.
Languages:
French, English
Publications:
1. Effets du complexe cis-dichlorodiammino-platine II - DNA sur des cellules normales ou cancéreuses. E. Heinen, C. Desaive, C. Houssier et M.C. Gillet.
C. R. Soc. Biol. 170, 119 (1976).
2. The kinetics of a microbial population. M.C. Gillet and J. Remacle.
Microbiol. Ecology, ed. by M.W. Louty and J.A.R. Miles, Springer Verlag, Berlin, pp. 51‑56 (1978).
3. How to choose an appropriate carrier for platinum drugs.
M.C. Gillet and C. Houssier. Biochimie, 60, 1061‑1062 (1978).
4. Interaction of DNA and purine nucleosides with cis-Pt (NH3)2 Cl2 and antimitotic activity of the complexes on meristematic root cells. M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, C. Houssier and E. Fredericq. Chem. Biol. Interactions 25, 87‑102, 1979.
5. Biomedical applications of PIXE in University of Liège. G. Weber, G. Robaye, J.M. Delbrouck, I. Roelandts, O. Dideberg, P.Bartsch and M.C. De Pauw- Gillet. Nuclear Instruments and Methods 168, 551‑556 (1980). FI: 1,231.
6. Use of liposomes to reduce enhancement-absorption effects in PIXE.
G. Robaye, G. Weber, J.Delbrouck-Habaru and M-C. De Pauw-Gillet.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods 172, 535‑539 (1980).
7. Presence of histone H1 and the electric birefringence behaviour of nucleosomes fractions from sucrose gradient and column chromatography.
C. Houssier, R. Hacha, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, JL. Pieczynski and E.Fredericq. Int. J. Biol. Macromolecul. 3, 59‑62 (1981).
8. Effets de l'acide L-thiazolidine‑4-carboxylique (thiaproline) sur des cellules cancéreuses en culture. R. Bassleer, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, B. Massart, J.M. Marnette, P. Wiliquet, J.C. Jamoulle et C. Lapière. Ann. Pharm. Franç., 40, 385‑389, 1982.
9. Effets du cis-dichlorodiammine (II) (cis-Pt II) sur l'ultrastructure de la chromatine de cellules animales et végétales et répercussions sur le cycle cellulaire. M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, E. Heinen, C. Houssier, E. Fredericq et R. Bassleer. C.R. Soc. Biol., 176, 364‑368, 1982.
10.Effets de trois alcaloïdes extraits du Strychnos usambarensis sur des cellules cancéreuses en culture. R. Bassleer, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, B. Massart, JM. Marnette, P.Wiliquet, M. Caprasse et L. Angenot. Planta medica: J. med. Plant. Res., 45, 123‑126, 1982.
11. La mélanogenèse, expression de la différenciation de cellules en culture.
R. Bassleer, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, D. Giet et J.L. Nizet. 65e Congrès des Anatomistes, Limoges, 1982. Bull. Assoc. Anat., 66, 291‑295, 1982.
12. Alteration in the nucleosome and chromatin structures upon interaction with platinum coordination complexes. C. Houssier, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, R.Hacha and E.Fredericq. Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 739, 317‑325 (1983).
13. Etude complémentaire de la cytotoxicité de la mélinonine F, alcaloïde dérivé de la bêta carboline. R. Bassleer, J.M. Marnette, P. Wiliquet, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, M.Caprasse et L. Angenot. Planta medica, 49, 158‑161, 1983.
14. Effects of gold compounds, free or incorporated in liposomes, on human synovial cells in culture. M.P. Lhoest-Gauthier, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, P. Van Ophem et R.Bassleer. Arch. Biol., 95, 413‑421, 1984.
15. Quantitative cytochemical analysis by microdensitometry of spontaneous or alpha- MSH stimulated melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells cultivated in vitro. M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, J. Hennet and R. Bassleer. Europ. J. Cancer, 21, 951‑956, 1985.
16. Effects of cis-DDPt (II) loaded liposomes on mouse Ehrlich tumor cells.
M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, E. Heinen, G. Weber and R. Bassleer. Europ. J. Cancer, 22, 1139‑1147, 1986.
17. Screening of cytotoxic activities of Strychnos alkaloids (methods and results). J. Leclercq, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, R. Bassleer and L. Angenot. J. Ethnopharmacol., 15, 305‑316, 1986.
18. Le mélanome B16 de la souris en culture à trois dimensions.
M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, Y. Christiane, J.M. Foidart et R. Bassleer.
Bull. Assoc. Anat. 70, 21‑24, 1986.
19. Effects of CuS04 given alone or with alpha-MSH and L-tyrosine on B16 melanoma cells cultures in serum-free media. M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, F. Wang, A. Simonon, A. Borlon, F. Van den Brulle, B. Dequinze and R. Bassleer. Arch. Biol., 98, 327‑339, 1987.
20. Antimitotic and cytotoxic activities of Guattegaumerine, a bisbenzyl-isoquinoline alkaloid. J. Leclercq, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, R. Bassleer and L. Angenot. Planta med., 1/120, 116‑117, 1987.
21. Analysis of tridimensional mixed cultures of mouse B16 melanoma cells and 3T3 fibroblasts. M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, Y. Christiane, J.M. Foidart and R. Bassleer. Anticancer Res., 8, 153‑160, 1988.
22. Control of B16 melanoma cells differentiation and proliferation by CuSO4 and Vitamin C. M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, B. Siwek, G. Pozzi, E. Sabbioni and R. Bassleer. Anticancer Res., 10, 391‑396, 1990.
23. Effects of FeSO4 and vitamin C on B16 melanoma cells differentiation and proliferation. M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, B. Siwek, G. Pozzi, E. Sabbioni and R. Bassleer. Anticancer Res., 10, 1029‑1034, 1990.
24.Cytological effects of culture media conditioned by B16 melanoma cells and 3T3 fibroblasts. P. Coucke, B. Siwek, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet and R. Bassleer. Anticancer Res., 11, 2, 801-804, 1991.
25. Cytotoxic and mitogenic activities in culture media conditioned by mouse B16 melanoma cells and 3T3 fibroblasts. B. Siwek, J. Wauthy, P. Coucke, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet and R. Bassleer. Anticancer Res., 11, 755-760, 1991.
26. Effects of Strychnopentamine on cells cultured in vitro.
J. Quetin-Leclercq, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, L. Angenot and R. Bassleer.
Chemico-Biological Interactions, 80, 203-216, 1991.
27.Laminin and 67 kD laminin binding protein in mouse B16 melanoma cells and 3T3 fibroblast spheroids. B. Siwek, C. Munaut, K. Bonjean, P. Coucke, A. Noël, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, J.M. Foidart and R. Bassleer. Anticancer Res., 1992, 12, 2011-2016.
28. Influence of laminin or fibroblasts upon colony formation in the mouse by B16 melanoma cell spheroids. A morphometric analysis.
P. Coucke, L. de Leval, P. Leyh, K. Bonjean, B. Siwek, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, J.M. Paulus, R. Bassleer and J.M. Foidart. In Vivo, 6, 2, 119-124, 1992.
29. Fibronectin promotes lung colony formation in the mouse by B16 melanoma cells spheroids. P. Coucke, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, L. de Leval, A. Noël, R. Bassleer and J.M. Foidart. In Vivo, 1992, 6, 481-486.
30. Characterization of two mouse B16 melanoma clones, pigmented or non pigmented. M. Lambertz, P. Coucke, J. Bouvier, M.C. De Pauw- Gillet and R. Bassleer. Europ. Arch. Biol., 103, 239-244, 1992.
31. Effects of trace metals on mouse B16 melanoma cells in culture.
E. Bahbouth, B. Siwek, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, E. Sabbioni and R. Bassleer.
Biol. Trace Element Res., 1993, 36, 2, 191-201.
32. Enhancement of tumorigenicity of human breast adenocarcinoma cells in nude mice by matrigel and fibroblasts. A. Noël, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, G. Purnell, B. Nusgens, C.M. Lapiere and J.M. Foidart. Br J Cancer, 1993, 68, 909-915.
33. Reevaluation by image analysis of the effects of fibroblasts, Fibronectin or Laminin upon colony formation in mouse lungs by B16 melanoma cells.
P. Coucke, M. Lambertz, E. Baramova, M.C. De Pauw- Gillet, J.M. Paulus, R. Bassleer, J.M. Foidart. Invasion and metastasis, 1993, 13, 201-211.
34. Effects of a-hederin, a saponin extracted from Hedera Helix, on cells cultured in vitro. S. Danloy, J. Quetin-Leclercq, P. Coucke, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, R. Elias, G. Balansard, L. Angenot and R. Bassleer. Planta Medica, 1994, 60, 45-49.
35.Characterization and tumorigenicity of spheroids composed of pigmented or non pigmented B16 melanoma cells. P. Coucke, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, K. Bonjean, B. Siwek, J.M. Foidart and R. Bassleer. In Vivo, 1994, 8, 333-338.
36. Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinases and serine proteases activities in three B16 melanoma cell lines with distinct tumorigenic potential. E. Baramova, P. Coucke, P. Leprince, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, R. Bassleer and J.M. Foidart. Anticancer Res., 1994, 14, 841-846.
37. Effects of selenium compounds on B16 melanoma cells and pigmented cloned pB16 cells. B. Siwek, E. Bahbouth, M.A. Serra, E. Sabbioni, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, and R. Bassleer. Arch. Toxicology, 1994, 68, 246-254.
38. Metalloproteinases and serine proteases activities in mixed spheroids of mouse B16 melanoma cells and fibroblasts. P. Coucke, E. Baramova, P. Leprince, M.C. De Pauw- Gillet, J.M. Foidart and R. Bassleer. International journal of oncology, 1994, 5, 1125-1130.
39. In vitro cytotoxic activity of two potential anticancer drugs isolated from Strychnos: strychnopentamine and usambarensine. K. Bonjean, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, J. Quetin-Leclercq, L. Angenot, R. Bassleer. Anticancer Res 1996, 16, 1129-1138.
40. Critical evaluation of the DNA-methyl green assay: application to some indole alkaloids. K. Bonjean, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, J. Quetin-Leclercq, C.W. Wright, L.Angenot, R. Bassleer. Phytotherapy Res, 1996, 10, S159-S160.
41. Characterization of non pigmented B16 melanoma cell-derived cytotoxic factors. B. Siwek, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, J. Quetin-Leclercq, L. Angenot and R. Bassleer. Chem. Biol Interactions, 1997, 103, 59-73 .
42. The DNA intercalating alkaloid cryptolepine interferes with topoisomerase II and inhibits selectively DNA synthesis in B16 melanoma cells.
K. Bonjean, De Pauw-Gillet M.C., Defresne M.P., Colson P., Houssier C., Dassonneville L., Bailly C., Greimers R., Wright C., Quetin-Leclercq J., Tits M., Angenot L. Biochem, 1998, 37, 5136-5146.
43. Stimulation of topoisomerase II-mediated cleavage by three DNA-intercalating plant alkaloids. Cryptolepine, matadine and serpentine.
L. Dassonneville, K. Bonjean, M.C. De Pauw - Gillet, P. Colson, C. Houssier, J. Quetin - Leclercq, L. Angenot and C. Bailly. Biochem, 1999, 38, 7719-7726.
44. Culture of gingival fibroblasts on biodegradable regenerative materials in vitro. F. Simain-Sato, J. Lamouzi, GK. Kalykakis, E. Heinen, M.P. Defresne, M.C. De Pauw -Gillet, T. Grisar, JJ. Legros, R. Legrand. J Periodontol, 1999, 70 (10) 1234-1239.
45. Graft of autologous fibroblasts in gingival tissue in vivo after culture in vitro, preliminary study on rats. F. Simain-Sato, J. Lamouzi, E. Heinen, M.P. Defresne, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet,T. Grisar, J.J. Legros, R. Legrand. J Periodontal Res,1999, 34, 323-328.
46. Effect of nicotine on rat gingival fibroblasts in vitro.
J. Lamouzi, F. Simain-Sato, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, MP. Defresne and R. Legrand. Connect Tissue Res, 2000, 41, 69 -80.
47. New antimalarial and cytotoxic sungucine derivatives from Strychnos icaja roots. M. Frédérich, MC. De Pauw-Gillet, G. Llabrès, M. Tits, M.P. Hayette, V. Brandt, J. Penelle, P. De Mol and L. Angenot. Planta Medica 2000 , 66, 262-269. FI :
48. DNA intercalation, topoisomerase II inhibition and cytotoxic activity of the plant alkaloid neocryptolepine. C. Bailly, W. Laine, B. Baldeyrou, M.C. De Pauw –Gillet, P. Colson, C. Houssier, K. Cimanga, S. Van Miert, AJ. Vlietinck, L. Pieters. Anticancer drug design 2000, 15, 191 –201.
49. Strychnogucines A and B, Two New Antiplasmodial Bisindole Alkaloids from Strychnos icaja . M. Frédérich, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, C. Prosperi, M. Tits, V. Brandt, J. Penelle, M.P Hayette, P. DeMol and L. Angenot. Journal of Natural Products 2001, 64 (1) 12-16.
50. Synthesis, Cytotoxicity, Antiplasmodial and Antitrypanosomal Activity of new Neocryptolepine Derivatives. T. Jonckers, S. Van Miert, K. Cimanga, C. Bailly, P. Colson, M.C. De Pauw, M. Claeys, J. Rozenski, L. Quirijnen, L. Maes, R. Dommisse, G. Lemière, A. Vlietinck, and L. Pieters. J. Med Chem. 2002, 45 3497-3508.
51. Apoptosis of HL-60 leukemia cells induced by the bisindole alkaloids sungucine and isosungucine from Strychnos icaja.
A. Lansiaux, C. Bailly, C. Houssier, P. Colson, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, M. Frédérich, M. Tits and L. Angenot. Planta Medica. 2002, 68 591-596
52. Ent-Trachyloban-3a-ol, a new cytotoxic diterpene from Croton zambesicus. S. Block, C. Stévigny, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet, E. de Hoffmann, G. Llabrès, V. Adjakidjé J.Quetin-Leclercq. Planta Medica 2002, 68 647-649
53. Cytotoxic activities of aporphyrin alcaloids from Cassytha filiformis.
C. Stevigny . S. Block, M.C. De Pauw – Gillet, E. de Hoffmann, G. Llabrès,V. Adjakidjé, and J. Quetin-Leclercq. Planta Medica 2002, 68 1042-1044
54. Apoptosis induction in human cancer cells by Sungucine derivatives from Strychnos icaja root. M. Frédérich, M -ALJ Bentires, M. Tits, L. Angenot, and M.C. De Pauw – Gillet. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg Archives of Pharmacology 2003, 367 260-265
55. Diterpenes from the leaves of Croton zambesicus.
S. Block, C. Baccelli, B. Tinant, L. Van Meervelt, R. Rozenberg, J-L. Habib Jiwan, G. Llabrès, M.C De Pauw – Gillet, J. Quetin-Leclercq. Phytochemistry 2004, 65 1165-1171.
56. A strategy to identify specific biomarkers related to the effects of a PCDD/F mixture on the immune system of marine mammals C. Brenez, P.Gerkens, G. Mazzucchelli, T. Jauniaux, G. Eppe, E. De Pauw, M.C. De Pauw-Gillet. Talanta 2004, 63 1225-1230.
57. Detection of biomarkers of pathogenic bacteria by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. V. Ruelle, B.El Mouaij, W. Zorzi, D. Zorzi, P. Ledent, O. Pierard, N. Bonjean, M.C. De Pauw – Gillet, E. Heinen and E. De Pauw. Editor(s): Lichtfouse, Eric; Schwarzbauer, Jan; Robert, Didier. Environmental Chemistry (2005), 31-42. Publisher: Springer GmbH, Berlin, Germany
58. Induction of apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia cells by a natural trachylobane diterpene. Block, S.; Gerkens, P.; Peulen, O.; Jolois, O.; Mingeot-Leclercq, M.-P.; De Pauw-Gillet, M.-Cl.; Quetin-Leclercq, J. Anticancer Research (2005), 25(1A), 363-368.
59. N1,N2,N3-trisisopentenyl guanidine and N1,N2-diisopentenyl guanidine, two cytotoxic alkaloids from Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach.& Thonn.) Mull. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) root barks. H. Mavar-Manga, D.Chapon, S.Hoet, S. Block, M-C De Pauw-Gillet, J.Quetin-Leclercq. Natural Product Communications (2006), 1(12), 1097-1100.
60. Cytotoxic triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Cephalaria gigantea N. Tabatadze; R. Elias; R. Faure; P. Gerkens; M C De Pauw-Gillet; E. Kemertelidze; A.Chea; E. Ollivier. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin (2007), 55(1), 102-5.
Dr Nancy W. Downer
Position: Administrative Technical Assistant for Projects
Organisation: Universitá di Roma Tor Vergata
Country: Italy
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* AB. in Chemistry - Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley MA, USA
* PhD in Biochemistry - University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA, USA
* Postdocs: Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene OR
Dept. of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
* Assistant Prof. of Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ, Visiting Professor, National Magnet Lab, MIT, Cambridge, MA
Research experience includes:
* Studies on the mechanism of visual transduction
* Protein structure and structure/function relationships in proteins
* Solid State NMR studies of bacteriorhodopsin structure
* Development of optical and electrochemical biosensors based on natural receptor proteins
Dr. Downers' role within BioCop is to oversee the budget and the preparation of financial reports, participate in research activities, and to assist with the preparation of scientific reports and intra-project communication, especially related to work packages 3,4 and 9.
Areas of interest:
Protein structure and function
Biochemical/ biophysical issues in biosensor design
Sample preparation for practical biosensor application
Languages:
English, Italian, German
Dr Patricia Schubert-Ullrich
Position:
Organisation: BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences
Country: Austria
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Dr Schubert - Ullrich is responsible for the screening of the developed antibodies by means of ELISA and Analytical chemistry.
Dr Priscilla Bowens
Position: Doctoral Student
Organisation: Universität Zürich
Country: Switzerland
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (with honours) (2006)
* Bachelor of Science in Animal Science (with high honours) (2002)
Experience includes:
* Interned with Pfizer Inc, New York and Michigan, USA in technical services and pharmaceutical development.
* Veterinary student representative for Nestlè Purina (2003-2005).
* General practitioner, emergency and critical care clinician for small animals.
Areas of interest:
Mycotoxins
Dr. Bowens is an active participant in work packages 1 (Transcriptomics)and 10 (Mycotoxins)
Dr Sheryl Tittlemier
Position: Research Scientist
Organisation: Health Canada
Country: Canada
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* PhD - Carleton University (2001) in Environmental Analytical Chemistry
Experience includes:
* Research scientist with Food Research Division, Health Canada (2002 - present)
* Analysis of environmental and agricultural chemical contaminants in foods.
Dr. Tittlemiers' role within BioCop is managing development and evaluation of surface plasmon resonance chip surfaces for analysis of fluoroquinolones at Health Canada within BioCop Work Package 8 (Therapeutics)
Areas of interest:
Our research deals with emerging persistent organic pollutants and veterinary drug residues found in food. Our work is mainly concerned with the development and application of methods to extract and quantitate these compounds in food. However, we are also involved in collaborations to examine the toxicology of these compounds. The purpose of our research is to allow for the analysis of these compounds in foods sampled during the Total Diet Studies and Human Milk Surveys, and thus estimate the level of exposure to the Canadian population.
Languages: English
Awards, Membership of Professional Societies:
Member, Centre for Urban Health Initiatives
Member, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Publications:
1. G. Dufresne, A. Fouquet, D. Forsyth, S.A. Tittlemier (2007). “Multi-residue determination of quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics in shrimp by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry”. Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL. In press.
2. S.A. Tittlemier, J. Van de Riet, G. Burns, R. Potter, C. Murphy, W. Rourke, H. Pearce, G. Dufresne (2007). “Analysis of veterinary drug residues in fish and shrimp composites collected during the Canadian Total Diet Study, 1993-2004”. Food Additives and Contaminants. 24:14-20.
3. S.A. Tittlemier, K. Pepper, L. Edwards (2006). “Concentrations of Perfluorooctanesulfonamides in Canadian Total Diet Study Composite Food Samples collected between 1992 and 2004” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 54:8385-8389.
4. A.-C. Huet, C. Charlier, S.A. Tittlemier, G. Singh, S. Benrejeb, P. Delahaut (2006). “Simultaneous Determination of (Fluoro)quinolone Antibiotics in Kidney, Marine Products, Eggs, and Muscle by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)”. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 54:2822-2827.
5. S.A. Tittlemier, K. Pepper, L. Edwards, G. Tomy (2005). “Development and Characterization of a Solvent Extraction – Gas Chromatographic/Mass Spectrometric Method for the Analysis of Three Neutral Perfluorooctanesulfonamide Compounds”. Journal of Chromatography A. 1066:189-195
Dr Silvia Piermarini
Position: Post-Doc
Organisation: Universitá di Roma Tor Vergata
Country: Italy
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* Masters in Biology - University of Rome “Tor Vergata” (2000)
* PhD in Chemistry - University of Rome "Tor Vergata" (2003)
* Post-doc position - University of Rome “Tor Vergata” (2003-2007)
Areas of Interest:
Analytical Chemistry, Electroanalysis, chemical sensors development.
Applied biosensor and electrochemical sensors for environmental and food analysis.
Immunosensors based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for toxins detection using different electrochemical techniques.
Dr. Piermarini is Involved in the development of simple and rapid immuno-methods for the screening of trichothecenes in cereals, corn, grains and babyfood, using screen-printed electrodes, work packages 3 (Biosensors) and 10 (Mycotoxins)
Languages:
Italian, English
Publications:
1. N.H.S. Ammida, L. Micheli, S. Piermarini, D. Moscone, G. Palleschi. “Detection of aflatoxin B1 in barley: comparative study of immunosensor and HPLC”. Analytical Letters, 39: 1559 – 1572, 2006.
2. S. Piermarini, L. Micheli, N.H.S. Ammida, G. Palleschi, D. Moscone. “ Electrochemical immunosensor array using a 96-well screen-printed microplate for aflatoxin B1 detection”. Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 22: 1434 – 1440, 2007.
3. S. Piermarini, G. Volpe, F. Ricci, L. Micheli, D. Moscone, G. Palleschi, M. Führer, R. Krska, S. Baumgartner. “Rapid screening electochemical methods for aflatoxin B1 and type-A trichothecenes: a preliminary study. Analytical Letters, in press.
Dr. Begoña Ben Gigirey
Position: Responsible for Department of Analysis, Research
Organisation: EU-Community Reference Laboratory on Marine Biotoxins (CRLMB)
Country: Spain
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* Ph. D. Pharmacy
* Food and Science Technologist
Previous Experience
* Experience in visual appearance evaluation, microbiological and chemical analysis related to seafood products freshness (6 years) with the participation in investigation projects and many international publications on this field.
* Experience in the development of analytical techniques (HPLC, HRGC and HRGC/MS/MS) for the determination of non biotic contaminants (BADGE and BFDGE, PCBs, Dioxins and Furans) in seafood products.
* Development and Validation of methods for determination of shellfish biotoxins.
* Domoic acid analysis in shellfish by HPLC.
* PSP analysis in shellfish by HPLC (AOAC Official Method 2005.06: Lawrence HPLC method).
* Organization of Interlaboratory Exercises on PSP toxins for the EU National Reference Laboratories and Official Control Laboratories.
* Participation in Meetings of the EU National Reference Laboratories and Coordination in their Working Groups.
* Responsible for the training of staff from EU National Reference Laboratories, Spanish Official Control and Third Country Laboratories in the determination of ASP and PSP toxins by HPLC.
Dr. Gigirey is an active member of work package 5 (Phycotoxins) providing analytical support during purification of the toxins and Conducting the preliminary evaluation of prototype assay kits and give demonstrations to end-users (Official Control and National Reference Laboratories).
Areas of interest:
The food technology of seafood products (in general). Seafood safety. Analysis of marine biotoxins, development of new methods, international validation exercises, in particular with regard to ASP and PSP toxins.
Languages:
English, Spanish and Gallego
Publications:
1. LORENZO, M. J.; BEN, B.; MENDEZ, F.; VILLACORTA, I. Y ARES-MAZAS, M. E. Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts antigens recognized by sera from infected asymptomatic adult cattle. Veterinary Parasitology 60: 17-25. 1995.
2. BEN-GIGIREY, B.; AN, H. Y CRAVEN, C. Histamine formation in albacore muscle analyzed by AOAC and enzymatic methods. Journal of Food Science: 63/2: 210-214. 1998.
3. BEN-GIGIREY, B.; VIEITES, J. M.; VILLA, T.G. Y BARROS-VELÁZQUEZ, J. Changes in biogenic amines and microbiological analysis in albacore (Thunnus alalunga) muscle during frozen storage. Journal of Food Protection: 61/5: 608-615. 1998.
4. BEN-GIGIREY, B.; VIEITES, J. M.; VILLA, T. G. Y BARROS-VELÁZQUEZ, J. Chemical changes and visual appearance of albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) as related to frozen storage. Journal of Food Science: 64/1: 20-24. 1999.
5. BEN-GIGIREY, B.; VIEITES, J. M.; VILLA, T. G. Y BARROS-VELÁZQUEZ, J. Histamine and cadaverine production by bacteria isolated from fresh and frozen albacore (Thunnus alalunga). Journal of Food Protection: 62/8: 933-939. 1999.
6. BEGOÑA BEN-GIGIREY. Migraciones de BADGE y BFDGE a partir de ciertos barnices de latas de conserva.Industria Conservera: 27: 22-24. 1999.
7. KIM. S.; BEN-GIGIREY, B.; BARROS-VELÁZQUEZ, J.; PRICE, R. J. Y AN, H. Histamine and biogenic amine production by bacteria isolated from temperature-abused albacore. Journal of Food Protection: 63/2: 244-251. 2000.
8. BEN-GIGIREY, B.; VIEITES, J. M.; VILLA, T. G. Y BARROS-VELÁZQUEZ, J. Characterization of biogenic amine-producing Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strains isolated from white muscle of fresh and frozen albacore tuna. International Journal of Food Microbiology: 57: 19-31. 2000.
9. BEN-GIGIREY, B.; VIEITES, J.; KIM, S.H.; AN, H.; VILLA, T. G. Y BARROS-VELÁZQUEZ, J. Specific detection of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strains in albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) by reverse dot-blot hybridisation. Food Control: 13: 293-299. 2002.
10. BARROS-VELÁZQUEZ, J.; BEN-GIGIREY, B.; KIM, S.H.; AN, H. AND VILLA, T. G. Advances in the development of chemical and novel molecular tools to investigate and prevent biogenic amine formation in foodstuffs. Research Advances in Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 3: 27-41. 2002.
11. KIM, S. H.; AN, H.; WEI, C. I., FIELD, K. G.;-VELÁZQUEZ, J. B. BEN-GIGIREY, B.; MORRISEY M. T.; PRICE, R. J. Y PITTA T. Detection of Morganella morganii , a prolific histamine former, by the polymerase chain reaction assay using 16s r-DNA targeted primers. Journal of Food Protection 66/8: 1385-1392. 2003.
12. VILLAR-GONZÁLEZ, A.; RODRÍGUEZ-VELASCO M.L.; BEN-GIGIREY, B.; Y BOTANA L.M. First evidence of spirolides in Spanish shellfish. Toxicon: 48: 1068-1074. 2006.
13. BEN-GIGIREY, B.; RODRÍGUEZ-VELASCO M.L.; VILLAR-GONZÁLEZ, A. Y BOTANA L.M. Influence of the sample toxic profile on the suitability of an HPLC method for Official paralytic shellfish toxins control. Journal of Chromatography A 1140: 78-87, 2007.
14. VILLAR-GONZÁLEZ, A.; RODRÍGUEZ-VELASCO M.L.; BEN-GIGIREY, B.; Y BOTANA L.M. Lipophilic toxin profile in Galicia (Spain): 2005 toxic episode. Toxicon: accepted. 2007.
Dr. Chen Situ
Position: Lecturer in Drug, Food Safety
Organisation: Queen's University Belfast
Country: UK
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Trained as a medical doctor, Dr Situ gained a PhD in Medicine at Queen's University Belfast in 1997. She has worked in areas of drug analysis and has developed and validated a wide range of bioanalytical techniques for rapid detection of antibiotics in foods.
Dr. Situ has actively participated in a number of highly successful EC Framework programme projects including FoodSENSE (FP4) and Feedstuffs-RADIUS (FP5). As a partner with responsibility of developing screening assays for therapeutic substances in various matrices, Dr. Situ played a major role in both projects with regard to research, method development, assay validation and product creation.
Dr. Situ has extensive experience in immunoassays in concepts of using conventional approaches as well as the more advanced approaches such as the state of the art biosensor technology.
Role in BioCop: BioCop Gender Manager and actively involved in WP’s 2 and 8.
Dr. Katrina Campbell
Position: Research Fellow
Organisation: Queen's University Belfast
Country: Belfast
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Development of immunochemical rapid tests for the analysis of food and feed samples.
Scientific involvement in the EC-project QLK1-1999-00122 “Glucocorticoid Analysis”.
Dr. Campbell has considerable experience in method development and validation techniques and in organising and undertaking comprehensive surveys for residues in food (e.g., the safefood funded project “Coccidiostat residues in poultry”).
Role in BioCop: WorkPackage 12 Leader. Also actively involved in Work Package 5.
Dr. Teresa Byrne
Position: Research Scientist and quality Manager
Organisation: Fusion Antibodies
Country: Belfast
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Bsc Science Hons Biochemistry from University College Galway
Doctorate from School of Pharmacy, Queens University Belfast.
My main role in the BioCop project has been in the expression of the targets in the mammalian cells. I also oversee the quality control of all projects in the laboratory including the BioCop project.
Fabiana Arduini
Position: PhD student
Organisation: Universitá di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Country: Rome, Italy
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Masters Degree in Chemistry from the University of Rome ''Tor Vergata'' and PhD student at the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory of the University’s Chemical Department.
Researcher in the activity carried out in Project “FISR 1999” for the development of electro-optical chemical sensors for pesticides detection and in a project in collaboration with an Italian Company for the development of nerve agents biosensors. Also involved in the study of new sensors for thiol amperometric detection and in European Leonardo project for “Training Module for Pesticide Detection”.
During these years good experience has been gained in Electrochemical sensors, Mediators, Electrochemical Biosensors, Screen Printed Electrodes (how to use, fabricate and modify them), use of different electrode materials (glassy carbon, graphite, nanotubes, graphite inks, platinum etc.), real application in the field of clinical and environmental analytical chemistry, pesticide and thiols detection.
Role in the BioCop Project: Involved in the study of electrochemical method for heavy metals detection.
Gaud Pinel
Position: Research engineer
Organisation: LABERCA – National Veterinary School – Nantes, France
Country: France
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Master degree in Food Science (1997)
Ph. D in Food Science (2001)
Assistant Professor in Food Science (2001-2002)
Research Engineer ( since 2003) – Analytical Chemistry, Proteomic
Involved in BioCop WP8 (management of the tasks with regard to confirmatory data for steroids in urine) and WP13 (training activities)
Giulia Volpe
Position: Laboratory Technician
Organisation: Universitá di Roma Tor Vergata
Country: Rome, Italy
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Specialist in the field of biosensors developing enzymatic sensors and immuno-systems based on flow injection analysis coupled with ELISA method. These systems have been applied for the determination of analytes in clinical, environmental and food samples.
Role in BioCop: involved in the development of simple and rapid methods for the screening of trichothecenes using electrochemical techniques.
Hasna Mohammadi
Position: Post - Doctoral
Organisation: Universitá di Roma Tor Vergata
Country: Rome, Italy
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Qualifications: PhD Degree in Analytical Chemistry at the University Hassan II
Master in Sciences and Technologies of the Environment. University Hassan I Settat
Degree in Environmental Protection. University Hassan I Settat
Fields of Interest:
Analytical Chemistry, Electoanalysis with emphasis on the use of enzymes as analytical reagents, immobilised enzymes, chemical sensors development. Applied biosensor and electrochemical sensors for environmental and food analysis.
Role in BioCop
Development of a rapid and simple electrochemical method for lead analysis in milk. Studying different modifiers to be used with screen-printed electrodes in order to obtain the best sensitivity (higher signal/noise ratio) towards lead concentration.
Jill Brown
Position: Research Scientist
Organisation: Fusion Antibodies
Country: Belfast
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
BSc in Biochemistry from Queens University Belfast
I have worked for fusion Antibodies for just over 3 years since receiving my degree. I am full time employee with the company as well as studying part time towards PhD.
My role within the BioCop project research involves the cloning and small scale expression of the targets in bacterial expression. The co ordination of the project within the laboratory
Joëlle Widart
Position: Research Engineer
Organisation: Liege University, Centre d’analyse des résidus en traces (CART)
Country: Liege, Belgium
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Civil Engineer in Chemistry since July 2000.
Experience in mass spectrometry, detection of pesticides, antibiotics, etc in various food matrices
Involved in BioCop's WP6-WP8, new purification method for antibiotics and pesticides analysis.
Kristin Löber
Position: PhD student, temporary contract
Organisation: University of Santiago de Compostela
Country: Spain
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Studies of Pharmacy in the University of Marburg, Germany. April 2000-June 2005
Purification of phycotoxins and development of an SPR- based detection assay
Laura Micheli
Position: Researcher
Organisation: Universitá di Roma Tor Vergata
Country: Rome, Italy
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
PhD in Chemical Science at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata". PhD Fellowship at the Dublin City University developing a competition immunosensor for Atrazine". Post Doc Fellowship at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" in 2001 working in the innovative technologies of analysis and using the biosensors technology for the manufacturing control and improvement of the organoleptic and nutritional quality of the wine".
Assistant Professor in Analytical Chemistry at the Chemical Science and Technology Department, of the University of Rome Tor Vergata.
Experienced in the development of immunosensors based on enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Role in BioCop: the study and development of new rapid method of the analysis for the detection of organochlorine pesticides using screen printed electrodes.
Manuela Führer
Position: Technician
Organisation: BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna.
Country: Vienna
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Expertise in the development of IgY-based immunoassay for egg- and nut-proteins in foodstuffs and development of monoclonal antibodies.
Expertise in cell culture and biochemical analysis, ELISA development.
Within BioCop, I am responsible for the running of the cell culture lab for the production of monoclonal antibodies.
María Luisa Rodríguez-Velasco
Position: Management and Research
Organisation: EU-Community Reference Laboratory on Marine Biotoxins (CRLMB)
Country: Spain
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Qualifications:
Ph. D. Chemist
Previous Experience:
Management of the European Community Reference Laboratory of Marine Biotoxins (research work, coordination of interlaboratory exercises, working groups).
Development and Validation of methods for determination of shellfish biotoxins.
Lipophilic toxins analysis in shellfish by LC-MS.
Organisation of Interlaboratory Exercises on PSP toxins for the EU National Reference Laboratories network and Official Control Laboratories.
Role:
Management of the BioCop project at the CRLMB.
To provide analytical support during purification of the toxins. Preliminary evaluation of prototype assay kits and demonstration to end-users (official and national reference laboratories).
Marie-Louise Scippo
Position: Chef de Travaux (senior scientist)
Organisation: Liege University, Centre d’analyse des résidus en traces (CART)
Country: Belgium
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Experience in bioanalytical methods (receptor binding assays and reporter gene expression assays) to detect residues of hormones or contaminants in biological samples
Miss Helen Ashwin
Position: Analytical Chemist (Band 3)
Organisation: Central Science Laboratory
Country: UK
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* MSc. Analytical Chemistry - Food Science Group
* BSc. Forensic Science, Analyst - University of Glamorgen (2002)
Miss Ashwin is an experienced bioanalytical researcher within the Food Science Group at CSL and has been actively involved in a number of UK Defra funded R&D projects. She is also an experienced analyst working within WP6 (Pesticides).
Publications:
1. Development and Validation of Screening and Confirmatory Methods for the Detection of Chloramphenicol and Chloramphenicol Glucuronide using SPR Biosensor and Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Ashwin H, et.al Analytica Chimica Acta, 529 (2005) 103-108.
2. Detection of chloramphenicol and chloramphenicol glucuronide residues in poultry muscle, honey, prawn and milk using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor and Qflex kit chloramphenicol Ferguson J et al. Analytica Chimica Acta 529 (2005) 109-113.
3. Verification of compliance with organic meat production standards by detection of permitted and nonpermitted uses of veterinary medicines (tetracycline antibiotics). Kelly M et. Al Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 54 (2006) 1523-1529
4. A new method for the rapid identification of tetracycline residues in foods of animal origin - using the Premi®Test in combination with a metal ion chelation assay. S.L.Stead, et al In press - Journal of Food Additives and Contaminants
5. Validation of the Delvotest® SP-NT according to the International Dairy Federation (IDF) standard and improved approach for detection of antimicrobial drugs in milk using Delvo®Scan scanner technology. S.L Stead,
et al In submission
Miss Marianne Caldow
Position: Senior Scientific Officer (Band 4)
Organisation: Central Science Laboratory (CSL)
Country: UK
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* BSc (Hons), Agricultural, Food and Environmental Chemistry – University of Glasgow (1991)
Miss Caldow is an experienced analyst working within the Food Science Group at CSL. Miss Caldow has been actively involved in a number of EU and UK Defra funded R&D projects relating to the development of methods for the detection of pesticides and veterinary drug residues in food and is an experienced analyst working within work package 6 (Pesticides)
Publications:
1. Caldow M;Stead SL;Day J;Sharman M;Situ C;Elliott C; (2005) Development and validation of an optical SPR biosensor assay for tylosin residues in honey Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 53,7367-7370.
2. Reynolds SL;Fussell RJ;Caldow M;Nawaz S; (2001) Intercomparison study of two multi-residue methods for the enforcement of EU MRLs for pesticides in fruit, vegetables and grain - phase IV - intercomparison study of test materials containing incurred residues 227p
3. Reynolds SL;Fussell R;Caldow M;Nawaz S;Ebden C;Lovell C;Diserens H; (2000) Intercomparison study of multi-residue methods for the enforcement of EU MRL's for pesticides in fruit, vegetables and grain. phase iii, intercomparison study of test materials containing incurred residues 219p
4. Reynolds SL;Fussell R;Caldow M;James R;Nawaz S;Ebden C;Pendlington D;Stijve T;Diserens H; (1998) Intercomparison study of two multi-residue methods for the enforcement of EU MRLs for pesticides in fruit, vegetables and grain. phase II, intercomparison study of spiked test materials 1p
5. Reynolds SL;Fussell RJ;Caldow M; (1997) An inter-laboratory comparison study of two CEN multi-residue methods for use in the enforcement of maximum residue levels for pesticides in fruit, vegetables and grain within the European Union Pesticide Science 50(2),164-166.
Mrs Anne-Catherine HUET
Position: Scientist
Organisation: Centre d'economie rurale
Country: Belgium
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* BSc. Biology (1997)
* Diploma of Special Studies: Applied Biology (1998)
Mrs HUET, has been involved in an R&D Project in relation to the study of atherosclerosis and detection of GMO by DNA chips array (1998-2002) and has experience in the development of ELISAs for the detection of coccidiostats, quinolones (2002-2004), evaluation of the production of antibodies and has been responsible for various developments using the Biacore instrument.
Mrs HUET is Involved in Work Packages 4 (Biosensors) and 8 (Therapeutics) and is responsible for the evaluation of immune response in rabbits and the development of SPR assay of fluoroquinolones in fish, poultry meat and eggs. Other duties include work package 4 administrative work.
Publications:
1. HUET A.-C., CHARLIER C., TITTLEMIER S.A., BEN REJEB S., DELAHAUT P,
Simultaneous determination of (fluoro)quinolone antibiotics in kidney, marine products, eggs and muscle by ELISA, J. Agric. Food Chem, 2006, 54, 2822-2827.
2. HUET A.-C., MORTIER L., DAESELEIRE E., FODEY T. , ELLIOTT C., DELAHAUT P, Development of an ELISA screening test for nitroimidazoles in egg and chicken muscle, Analytica Chimica Acta,2005, 534, 157-162.
3. HUET A.-C., MORTIER L., DAESELEIRE E., FODEY T., ELLIOTT C., DELAHAUT P, Screening for the coccidiostats halofuginone and nicarbazin in egg and chicken muscle: development of an ELISA, Food Additives and Contaminants,February 2005, 22(2), 128-134.
Mrs Joyce Watterson
Position: BioCop Administrator
Organisation: Queen's University, Belfast
Country: UK
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
BA (Hons) Management and Business Studies
Previous experience: Joined Queen’s University Belfast in 1991 working firstly with the School of Chemical Engineering, moving on to the Polymer Processing Research Centre, and the Knowledge Transfer Centre, and currently with the School of Biological Sciences.
Work to date has been mainly centred around the finance and administration of various research and technology transfer projects.
Role within the project: Responsible for the administration and financial reporting of the project.
Mrs Julie Meneely (nee Ferguson)
Position: BioCop Project Manager
Organisation: Queen's University, Belfast
Country: Northern Ireland
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* BSc (Hons) Applied Biochemical Sciences
Previous experience includes: R&D Analytical Chemist with Galen Pharmaceuticals, Research Associate at Queen’s University Belfast working on the production of reference material for chlortetracycline, development of an immunoassay dipstick for cyclobutanones as a detection tool for irradiated foodstuffs, demonstration on the applicability of optical biosensors to screening analysis of veterinary drug residues in food
Joined Queen’s University spin-off company, Xenosense in October 2000 as a Senior Research Scientist and in 2004 combined this role with Production Management.
Activities in BioCop include the scientific administration of the project.
Areas of interest:
Agri-food Toxins.
Publications:
1. Ferguson, J., McEvoy, J.D.G., McCracken, R., McCaughey, W.J. and Kennedy, D.G. (1997). Production of stable incurred CTC containing porcine reference materials. Association of Veterinary Teachers and Research Workers, 34th Spring Meeting, VSD, Stormont, 12 March 1997. (Abstr.) Irish Veterinary Journal, 50, 363 (1997).
2. McEvoy, J.D.G., Ferguson, J.P., Crooks, S.R.H., Kennedy, D.G., Maghuin-Rogister, G., van Ginkel, L.A., Meyer, H.H.D., Pfaffl, M.W., Farrington, W. and Juhel-Gaugain, M. (1998). Production of CTC-containing porcine reference materials. Analyst, 123, 2535-2539.
3. Crooks, S.R.H., Ferguson, J., Baxter, G.A., Fodey, T.L., Brandon, D.L. and Elliott, C.T. (2000) Multiresidue analysis of Benzimidazole Anthelmintics by immunobiosensor. Proceedings of the Euroresidue IV conference, Veldhoven, The Netherlands, 8-10 May 2000.
4. Ferguson, J.P., Baxter, G.A., McEvoy, J.D.G., Stead, S., Rawlings, E. and Sharman, M. (2002). Detection of Streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin residues in milk, honey and meat samples using an optical biosensor. Analyst, 127, 951-956.
5. Situ, C., Crooks, S.R.H., Baxter,G.A, Ferguson, J.P., Elliott, C. (2002). On-line detection of sulfamethazine and sulfadiazine in porcine bile using a multi-channel high-throughput SPR biosensor. Analytica Chimica Acta, 473, 143-149.
6. Ferguson, J., Baxter, A., Young, P., Kennedy, G., Elliott, C., Weigel, S., Gatermann, R., Ashwin, H., Stead, S. and Sharman, M. (2005). Detection of chloramphenicol and chloramphenicol glucuronide residues in poultry muscle, honey, prawn and milk using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor and Qflex® kit chloramphenicol. Analytica Chimica Acta, 529, 109-113.
7. McGrath, T., Baxter, A., Ferguson, J., Haughey, S. and Bjurling, P. (2005). Multisulfonamide screening in porcine muscle using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor. Analytica Chimica Acta, 529, 123-127
Mrs Lauriane RAMBAUD
Position: Assistant Engineer
Organisation: LABERCA – National Veterinary School – Nantes
Country: France
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* Masters degree in Organic Chemistry (2001)
Mrs RAMBARD is currently Involved in BioCop work package 8 (Therapeutics)(protocol development and urine analysis)
Languages:
French, English, German
Publications:
1. L. Rambaud, P. Compain, O. R. Martin, Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 12 (2001), 1807-1809
2. L. Rambaud, E. Bichon, N.Cesbron, F. André, B. Le Bizec, Anal. Chim. Acta 532 (2005), 165-176
3. L. Rambaud, F.Monteau, Y. Deceuninck, E. Bichon, F. André, B. Le Bizec, Anal. Chim. Acta 586 (2007), 93-104
4. L. Rambaud, J.-P. Dalbiez, B. Amekraz, C. Moulin, B. Perly, C. Baudin, Eur. J. Org. Chem. (2006), 1245-1250
Mrs Sara Stead
Position: Senior Scientific Officer (Band 5)
Organisation: Central Science Laboratory (CSL)
Country: UK
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* BSc. (Hons) Pharmacology – University of Dundee (1997)
Mrs. Stead is an experienced analyst working within the Food Science Group at CSL. She has been actively involved in a number of EU and UK Defra funded R&D projects relating to the development of methods for the detection of pesticides and veterinary drug residues in food.
Mrs Stead has specialised in the area of bioanalytical / immunodiagnostic method development since 1997 and previously worked as an expert trainer for the IAEA.
Responsible for project management and delivery of CSL’s work in Work Package 6 (Pesticides)
Areas of Interest:
Bioanalytical science.
Awards, Membership of Professional Societies:
Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Publications:
1. Ferguson JP, Baxter GA, McEvoy JDG, Stead S; Rawlings E; Sharman M; (2002) “Detection of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin residues in milk, honey and meat samples using an optical biosensor” The Analyst 127(7), 951-956.
2. Stead S, Sharman M, Tarbin JA, Gibson E, Richmond S, Stark J, Geijp E (2004) “Meeting maximum residue limits: an improved screening technique for the rapid detection of antimicrobial residues in animal food products” Food Additives and Contaminants 21(3),216-221.
3. S.L.Stead, S. F. Richmond, Matthew Sharman, Jacques Stark, Edith Geijp, (2005) "A New Approach for Detection of Anti-microbial drugs in Food, Premi®Test Coupled to Scanner Technology" Analytica Chimica Acta (529) 83-88
4. H.Ashwin,
S.L.Stead, V.Homer, J.Taylor, S.Richmond, M.Sharman, T.Bigwood, (2005) “Development and validation of screening and confirmatory methodology using SPR biosensor and LC-MS/MS for the detection of chloramphenicol in foods of animal origin”
Analytica Chimica Acta (529) 103-108
5. Ferguson J, Baxter A, Young P, Kennedy G, Elliott C, Weigel S, Gatermann R, Ashwind H, Stead S, Sharman M,“Detection of chloramphenicol and chloramphenicol glucuronide residues in poultry muscle, honey, prawn and milk using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor and Qflexkit[s1] ® chloramphenicol” Analytica Chimica Acta 529 (1-2): 109-113 JAN 24 2005
6. Marianne Caldow, Sara L. Stead, Joanna Day, Matthew Sharman, Chen Situ, Chris Elliott “Development and Validation of an Optical SPR Biosensor Assay for Tylosin Residues in Honey” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2005 Vol.53 issue 19.
7. S.L.Stead*, M.Caldow, A.Sharma, H.M.Ashwin, M.Sharman, A.de-Rijk and J.Stark “A new method for the rapid identification of tetracycline residues in foods of animal origin - using the Premi®Test in combination with a metal ion chelation assay” Journal of Food Additives and Contaminants IN PRESS March 2007.
Ms Eva Fonfria Subirós
Position: PhD Student
Organisation: University of Santiago de Compostela
Country: Spain
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* Degree in Biochemistry - University of Barcelona (2000-2004)
* Masters in marine pollution and anthropogenic effects in marine ecosystems - University of Barcelona (2005)
Languages:
Spanish, English
Ms Subirós works with the purification of phycotoxins and development of an SPR-based detection assay for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning - WP 5 (Phycotoxins)
Ms Hester J. van den Top
Position: Senior Technician
Organisation: National Institute for Public Health & the Environment
Country: Netherlands
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* BA. Chemistry
Ms van den Top has 15 + years experience in analytical chemistry, focusing on natural toxins in food (mycotoxins, phycotoxins, plant toxins) and LC/MS methodology.
Other experience includes being actively involved in a number of EU projects listed below:
* EU FP3 project on the development of CRMs for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins (see publications H.J. van den Top et al, Food Additives and Contaminants 17 (2000), 419- 433 and 18 (2001), 810- 824.)
* EU FP4 project on the Validation of Analytical Methods to Determine the Content of Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin and Patulin in Foodstuffs of Vegetable Origin.
* EU FP4 project, ZONMAIZE
* EU FP5 project, DONCALIBRANT
* Working groups NRL for Marine Biotoxins
Ms van den Top is actively involved in providing technical and scientific support in activities related to work package 5 and also the design, conduct and evaluation of method validation studies of methods developed within work packages 5 and 10.
Areas of interest:
mycotoxins, phycotoxins, plant toxins, and LC/MS
Languages:
Dutch, English, German
Publications:
1. H.P. van Egmond, A. Mouriño, P.A. Burdaspal, J. Bustos, T. Legarda, A. Mesego,W.E. Paulsch, C. Salgado, H.J. van den Top, A. Boenke. “The certification of the mass fractions of saxitoxin and dc-saxitoxin in two mussel reference materials (CRMs 542 & 543) including the identification of other PSP-toxins, and a spiking procedure based on an enrichment solution (CRM 663) with a certified mass concentration of saxitoxin” EUR report 18318 (1998), 124 pp. European Commission, Directorate-General Science, Research and Development, Brussels, Belgium.
2. H.J. van den Top, A. Boenke, P.A. Burdaspal, J. Bustos, H.P. van Egmond, T. Legarda, A. Mesego, A. Mouriño, W.E. Paulsch, C. Salgado. "The development of reference materials for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in lyophilized mussel, I: Interlaboratory studies of methods of analysis". Food Addit. Cont. 17 (2000), 419-433.
3. H.J. van den Top, A. Boenke, P.A. Burdaspal, J. Bustos, H.P. van Egmond, T. Legarda, A. Mesego, A.Mouriño, W.E. Paulsch, C. Salgado. "The development of reference materials for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in lyophilized mussel, II: Certification study". Food Addit. Cont. 18 (2001), 810-824.
4. H.P. van Egmond, K.M. Jonker, M.Poelman, P. Scherpenisse, A.Stern, P. Wezenbeek, A.A. Bergwerff, H.J. van den Top. “Proficiency studies on the determination of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning toxins in shellfish in the Netherlands”. Food Addit. Cont. 21 (2004), 331-340.
5. T.T. Mensinga, A.J.A.M. Sips, C.J.M. Rompelberg, K. van Twillert, J. Meulenbelt, H.J. van den Top, H.P. van Egmond, “Potato glycoalkaloids and adverse effects in humans: an ascending dose study”. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 41 (2005), 66-72.
Ms Milena Zachariášová
Position: PhD Student
Organisation: Institute of Chemical Technology
Country: Czech Republic
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* Graduation
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis (2006)
* PhD-studies - Institute of Chemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis (2007)
Within the BioCop project Ms Zachariášová has been involved in WP10 (Mycotoxins) and has participated in following activities:
* Development and validation of LC-MS/MS method (employing MycoSep columns for clean-up) and implementation of this method for BioCop reference materials (“baby food” and “breakfast cereals”) analysis.
* Selection of naturally contaminated maize samples for praparation of reference materials “baby food” and “breakfast cereals”.
* Participating in BioCop reference materials sampling and packing (this work was carried out in JRC-IRMM in Geel, 2006)
* Homogeneity testing of prepared BioCop reference materials.
* Stability studies of BioCop reference materials.
Areas of interest:
Analytical chemistry, food safety (especially mycotoxins)
Languages:
English
Publications:
1. Hajslova J., Lancova K., Sehnalova M., Krplova A., Zachariasova M., Moravcova H., Nedelnik J., Markova J., Ehrenbergerova J.,: Occurrence of Trichothecene Mycotoxins in Cereals Harvested in the Czech Republic, Czech Journal of Food Science, submitted
2. Lancova K., Zachariasova M., Hajslova J., Vanova M., Moravcova H., Nedelnik J.: Fusarium Mycotoxins in Organic and Conventional Wheat Production, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, in prep.
3. Zachariášová M., Lancová K., Sehnalová M., Hajšlová J., Váňová M., Nedělník J., Moravcová H.: Influence of organic and conventional cropping system on occurence of Fusarium spp. in winter wheat, Troubsko, Czech Republic, 23.-24.11. 2006.
Ms Susan MacDonald
Position: Senior Scientific Officer (Band 5) / Project Leader
Organisation: Central Science Laboratory
Country: UK
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
BSc (Hons), Food Science – University of Strathclyde (1990)
Ms MacDonald is an experienced mycotoxin analyst and project leader (16 years +), and a member of CEN TC 275/WG5 Biotoxins.
Ms MacDonald has over 25 publications in mycotoxins and natural products, mostly related to developing or validating analytical methods, and has been involved in many European funded RTD projects, participating as a main partner in SMT CT-98-2228 (Production of ZON Reference Material) and G6RD-CT-2002-00853 (DONCALIBRANT).
She has carried out training as an invited expert on behalf of the IAEA, and co-ordinated and delivered 3 training courses in mycotoxins for EU DGTrade to representatives from developing countries.
Deputy work package Leader WP10 (Mycotoxins); provide advice on development of extraction protocols; participation in test material characterisation and participation in validation studies for developed tests.
Areas of interest:
Mycotoxins, natural toxins
Languages:
Limited French.
Publications:
1. SHARMAN, M., MACDONALD, S. and GILBERT, J., 1992, Automated liquid chromatographic determination of ochratoxin A in cereals and animal products using immunoaffinity column clean-up. Journal of Chromatography, 603, 285-289.
2. SHARMAN, M., MACDONALD, S., SHARKEY, A.J., and GILBERT, J., 1994, Sampling bulk consignments of dried figs for aflatoxin analysis. Food Additives and Contaminants, 11, 17-23.
3. MACDONALD, S., and CASTLE, L., 1996, A UK retail survey of aflatoxins in herbs and spices and their fate during cooking. Food Additives and Contaminants, 13, 121-128.
4. SCUDAMORE, K.A. and MACDONALD, S. J., 1998, A collaborative study of an HPLC method for determination of ochratoxin A in wheat using immunoaffinity column clean-up. Food Additives and Contaminants, 15, 401-410.
5. MACDONALD, S., WILSON, P., BARNES, K., DAMANT, A., MORTBY, E., and SHEPHERD, M. J. S., 1999, Ochratoxin A in dried vine fruit : method development and survey. Food Additives and Contaminants, 16, 253-260.
6. MacDonald, S., Long, M., Gilbert, J., and Felgueiras, I. (2000). Liquid Chromatographic Method for Determination of Patulin in Clear and Cloudy Apple Juices and Apple Puree: Collaborative Study. Journal of AOAC International, 83, 1387-1394.
7. MACDONALD, S.J., LANGTON, S., and BRERETON, P. (2000). Assessment of human exposure to ochratoxin A in the UK – relationship between dietary intake and plasma and urine levels. In Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins in Perspective at the Turn of the Millenium, Proceedings of the Xth International IUPAC symposium on Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins – 21-25 May 2000, Guaruja (Brazil), pp181-188.
8. GILBERT, J., BRERETON, P. and MACDONALD, S.J. (2001). Assessment of dietary exposure to ochratoxin A in the UK using a duplicate diet approach and analysis of urine and plasma samples. Food Additives and Contaminants, 18, 1088-1093.
9. STOEV, S.D., PASKALEV, M., MACDONALD, S., and MANTLE, P.G. (2002). Experimental one year ochratoxin A toxicosis in pigs. Exp Toxic Pathol, 53, 481-487.
10. JOSEPHS, R.D., KRSKA, R., MACDONALD, S., WILSON, P., and PETTERSSON, H. (2003) Preparation of a calibrant as certified reference material for determination of the Fusarium mycotoxin zearalenone. Journal of AOAC International, 86, 50-60.
11. MacDonald, S., Prickett, T.J., Wildey, K.B. and Chan, D., 2004, Survey of ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol in stored grains from the 1999 harvest in the UK. Food Additives and Contaminants, 21, 172-181.
12. Krska, R., Welzig, E., Josephs, R.D., Kandler, W., Pettersson, H., MacDonald, S., Charlton, A., Brereton, P., Hametner, C., Berner, D., and Zollner, P., 2003, Purity Assessment of Crystalline Zearalenone, J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. Int, 86, 722-728.
13. MacDonald S.J., Anderson S, Brereton P, Wood R , 2003, Determination of ochratoxin A in currants, raisins, sultanas, mixed dried fruit, and dried figs by immunoaffinity column cleanup with liquid chromatography: Interlaboratory study, J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. Int, 86 (6): 1164-1171
14. Krska, R., Pettersson, H., Josephs, R.D., Lemmens, M., MacDonald, S., and Welzig, E., 2003, Zearalenone in maize: stability testing and matrix characterisation of a certified reference material, Food Additives and Contaminants, 20, 1141-1152.
15. Scudamore, K.A., Banks, J. and MacDonald, S.J., 2003, Fate of ochratoxin A in the processing of whole wheat grains during milling and bread production, Food Additives and Contaminants, 20, 1153-1163.
16. ANDERSON, S. & MACDONALD, S., 2003 Determination of zearalenone in cereal and cereal products: collaborative trial. Aspects of Applied Biology, 68, 155-159.
17. CHAN, D., MACDONALD, S., & BRERETON, P., 2003, Assessment of fumonisins in human diets. Aspects of Applied Biology, 68, 181-186.
18. DRIFFIELD, M., HIRD, S.J., & MACDONALD, S.J., 2003, The occurrence of a range of mycotoxins in animal offal food products by HPLC-MS/MS. Aspects of Applied Biology, 68, 205-209.
19. Driffield, M., Chan, D., Macarthur, R., MacDonald, S., Brereton, P., and Wood, R., 2005 Single laboratory validation of a method for the determination of hydroxymethylfurfural in honey using solid phase extraction cleanup and liquid chromatography, J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. Int., 88, 1, 121-127.
20. Ralf Dieter Josephs, Rudolf Krska, Susan MacDonald, Pete Wilson, Hans Pettersson, 2004, Production of a calibrant certified reference material for the determination of the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone , J. Anal. Bioanal. Chem.,378, 1182-1189.
21. Rudolf Krska, Ralf D. Josephs, Hans Pettersson, Susan MacDonald, 2004, Preparation and certification of the zearalenone mass concentration of two low level maize reference materials, J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem, 87, 892-908
22. Susan J. MacDonald, Danny Chan, and Paul Brereton, Roger Wood, 2005, Determination of Deoxynivalenol in Cereals and Cereal Products by Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup with Liquid Chromatography: Interlaboratory Study, J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. Int., 88, (4), 1197-1204.
23. Susan J. MacDonald, Sharron Anderson, and Paul Brereton, Roger Wood, 2005, Determination of Zearalenone in Cereals and Cereal Products by Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup with Liquid Chromatography: Interlaboratory Study, J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. Int., 88, (6), 1733-1740.
24. Roy MacArthur, Susan MacDonald, Paul Brereton and Alistair Murray, 2006, Statistical Modelling as an aid to the design of retail sampling plans for mycotoxins in food, Food Additives and Contaminants, 23 (1): 84-92.
B. Lawson, S. MacDonald, T. Howard, S.K. Macgregor and A.A. Cunningham, Exposure of garden birds to aflatoxins in Britain, 2006, Science of the Total Environment, 361, 124-131.
25. A. Gresham, S. Done, C. Livesey, S. MacDonald, D. Chan, C. Clark and P. Kemp, (2006), Survey of pigs' kidneys with lesions consistent with PMWS and PDNS and ochratoxicosis. Part 1: concentrations and prevalence of ochratoxin A, The Veterinary Record, 159:737-742
26. A. Gresham, S. Done, C. Livesey, S. MacDonald, D. Chan, R. Sayers, C. Clark and P. Kemp, (2006), Survey of pigs' kidneys with lesions consistent with PMWS and PDNS and ochratoxicosis. Part 2: pathological and histological findings, The Veterinary Record, 159:761-768
27. Krska, R., Welzig, E., Drs, E., Josephs, R.D., Schothorst, R.C., vanEgmond, H.P, Pettersson, H., Chan, D. and MacDonald, S., 2006, Feasibility Study for the production of Certified Calibrants for the Determination of Deoxynivalenol and Other b-Trichothecenes: Intercomparison Study, Journal of AOAC International, 89, 1573-1580.
Natalia Vilariño del Río
Position: Experienced researcher
Organisation: University of Santiago de Compostela
Country: Spain
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Doctor in Veterinary Medicine (1994). University of Santiago de Compostela.
PhD in Veterinary Medicine (1999). University of Santiago de Compostela.
Research Associate (Jan-May, 2001). Case Western Reserve University
Postdoctoral Fellow (July, 2001-June, 2004). Johns Hopkins University
Instructor in Medicine (July-Dec, 2004). Johns Hopkins University
Purification of phycotoxins and development of an SPR- based detection assay
Neriman Duman, Karina Grossalber
Position: Students
Organisation: BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna.
Country: Vienna
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Both students participate at the FH degree programme “Biotechnical Processes” of the University of Applied Sciences at Wiener Neustadt, Austria. Graduates of the FH degree programme “Biotechnical Processes” have a good knowledge of chemistry and analytics and are experienced in handling sensitive, state-of-the-art equipment. They have undergone solid biological training. Their professional competence is rounded off by the additional subjects, such as economy, quality assurance, personality development, project management, English, and law.
Throughout their 4th year of study, the students attend work placement with the Center for Analytical Chemistry and are working within the BioCop project for their diploma thesis.
Prof Danila Moscone
Position: Full Professor in Analytical Chemistry
Organisation: Universitá di Roma Tor Vergata
Country: Italy
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
* Degree in Chemistry - University of Rome “La Sapienza” (1983)
Experience includes the following:
* Research assistant - University of Rome ''La Sapienza'' (1983-84)
* Research assistant - University of Rome Tor Vergata (1984-96)
* Fellowship Holder - Groeningen, The Netherlands (1994)
* Fellowship holder in Lecturer - University of Rome Tor Vergata (1996 - Present)
* Associate professor - University of Rome Tor Vergata (2000 - Present)
Prof. Moscone is involved in the scientific supervision of Work Package 9 activities (Heavy Metals) i.e. the development and validation of new technology that would enable robust, rapid, accurate and cost-effective screening of raw materials for contamination by heavy metals, in particular by Lead (Pb). The screening methods developed in the context of the BioCop project, while based on established electrochemical techniques, will make use of novel disposable sensors easy to produce through thick film technology and which can be used with portable and cost-effective and user-friendly instrumentation.
Prof. Moscone is also responsible for several other projects, currently involved in the development of immunosensors and interference-free biosensors based on screen printed electrodes in environmental, clinical and food analysis field and of microsensors for the assessment of conservation strategies in archaeological sites.
Areas of interest.
* Preparation and evaluation of biosensors and immunosensors and their analytical application to real matrices.
* Enzyme and protein immobilisation on different supports, in sensors and biosensor miniaturisation and their coupling to flow systems by innovative techniques as Microdialysis and Ultrafiltration.
Languages:
Italian, English, French
Publications:
* 24 chapters in books
* 2 reviews
* 85 papers on international and national scientific journals
* 1 patent
* 23 proceedings
* 1 video (VHS)
* 200 + oral and poster presentations at scientific meetings.
Rocio Gil Torres
Position: Technician
Organisation: University of Santiago de Compostela
Country: Spain
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. University of Santiago de Compostela (1997-2002).
Purification of PSP toxins in BioCop
Rowan Dobson
Position: PhD student
Organisation: Liege University, Centre d’analyse des résidus en traces (CART)
Country: Belgium
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Development of SILAC (stable isotope labelling of amino acids in cell culture) which will be used in the BioCop project.
Sabine Baumgartner
Position: University Staff, Lab Manager
Organisation: BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences
Country: Vienna
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Scientific expertise: An expert in biochemical analysis dealing with food characterisation and quality assurance. Scientifically involved in the AIR project No. AIR3-CT-94-2311 dealing with the characterisation of transgenic tomatoes, in which the purification of carbohydrates and proteins was one of the major tasks. Scientific and management involvement of the EC-project QLK1-CT-2001-01151 “Development of rapid easy-to-use immunochemical tests for the detection of proteins with allergenic potential in food”.
Sabine is responsible for the operation of the cell culture laboratory and will supervise the production of monoclonal antibodies and the screening procedures. Also all scientific administrative belongings are her responsibility.
Saskia Susanne Sterk
Position: Head of Section for Veterinary drugs
Organisation: National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
Country: Bilthoven
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Trained as a pharmacist working for more then 15 years in veterinary drug and growth hormone field.
Head of section of Veterinary drugs. In this group analysis of different matrices for veterinary drugs, growth promoting compound and other organic substances is performed. Main clients are Dutch government and National Food authority. Also involved in the field of sports doping and food supplements.
In an international setting the work concerning the Community Reference Laboratory for residues (hormonal growth promoters) is coordinated.
Role in the project:
Advisor for the WP concerning anabolic compounds. Later in the BIOCOP project involved in dissemination of the research via workshops.
Sonya Grocock
Position: Project Manager
Organisation: Integralvision
Country: UK
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Sports Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention & Extended Science Degree in Biology and Chemistry
Previous experience includes assisting in the design and maintenance of the both the BioCop public and member websites, and the production of dissemination material including the creation of letterheads, logo design, project brochure material and BioCop branding. Other experience includes having previously been actively involved in a number of EC framework Programme funded projects as a project manager.
Role in BioCop: Assist in the management and the co-ordination of activities within WP11 (Consumer Science) including preparing and managing the IP’s dissemination material including the second series of project brochures, E- newsletters, information packs, the organisation of large scale meetings including Consumer workshops, and the maintenance and IT tasks associated with both the public and members websites.
Areas of interest: Mycotoxins
Languages: Spanish and German
Publications:
C.Elliott & S. Grocock.
New technologies to screen multiple chemical contaminants in food: BioCop. Food Magazine - Issue 4 Autumn (2006)
C.Elliott & S. Grocock.
New technologies to screen multiple chemical contaminants in food: BioCop. Food Magazine - Issue 7 Summer (2007)
S. Grocock, H.V.Egmond and C. Elliott.
Competitive call for an additional partner. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. Vol. 21, No. 1: 93 (2008)
S. Grocock, H.V.Egmond and C. Elliott.
Competitive call for an additional partner. Journal of Food Chemistry & Trends in Food Science & Technology. Vol: 18, No.12: 633 (2007)
S. Grocock, H.V.Egmond and C. Elliott.
Competitive call for an additional partner. Journal of Food Chemistry. Vol: 106, issue 4: 1492 (2008)
Tesy Merkx
Position: Research Scientist and quality Manager
Organisation: University of Utrecht
Country: The Netherlands
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Within the BioCop project, our aim is to find suitable biomarkers in
bovine serum to detect the abuse of anabolic compounds used for growth promotion
e.g. in cattle. These biomarkers will be used to develop high-throughput assays utilizing biosensors suitable to screen animals while they are at the farm or at the abattoir.
My role in the project:
analytical support in finding potential protein biomarkers in serum
statistical evaluation of results through multivariate analysis
development and validation of biosensor methods to screen sera for biomarker profiles
A completed training at a University of Professional Education in analytical or medical chemistry;
Previous experience:
Experience with bio analytical techniques related to proteomic research; and multivariate statistics;
I worked one year with the ELISA experiments and molecular techniques worked. For this project I need these experiences for development and validation.
Tina Zuidema
Position: Research scientist
Organisation: RIKILT – Institute of Food Safety
Country: The Netherlands
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Tina Zuidema MSc. has been with RIKILT for 13 years and in this period she has been involved in a range of research projects. Topics of research projects involve analytical method development ranging from dioxins and pesticides to veterinary drugs, pharmaco-kinetic studies, ecotox-studies and in-vitro studies concerning tissue-bound residues, both as researcher as well as project manager. She has considerable experience and expertise in a variety of residue analytical techniques, especially gas chromatography, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry and as study director of GLP research projects.
At present she is the deputy cluster manager of the veterinary research group at RIKILT and project manager of several method development and laboratory quality projects and in that respect responsible for the accreditation of methods for residue analysis of veterinary drugs, growth promoting agents in tissues and animal feed.
In BioCop she is involved in the supervising of LC/MS/MS analyses of fluoroquinolone incurred sample materials.
Vitalija Povilaityte
Position: Contract Agent
Organisation: EU Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Country: Belgium
Qualifications, previous experience and role within the BioCop project:
Development of methods of analysis for mycotoxins (isolation, purification, quantification).
Measurement of food and biological analytes by chromatographic methods.
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This page comes from www.biocop.org. BioCop is an Integrated Project to explore New Technologies to Screen Multiple Contaminants in Foods Funded by the European Commission under the Food Quality and Safety Priority Thematic Area. All content is © Copyright BioCop 2006.
Position: Research