Academic PI

Email: mary.costello@tudublin.ie

Tel: +353 1 220 7955

Dr Mary Costello Ph.D. studies were carried out on the Biochemical and Molecular biological characterization of Flavodoxins in UCD & the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Initially employed by a company producing bacterial starter cultures as a Senior Research Scientist in Sydney, Australia, the research involved identification and characterization of bacteriophage resistance mechanisms. Following promotion to Research Manager (Product Development), responsibilities included research, production and technical support of the starter culture system in dairy factories worldwide, as well as providing technical support in the Asia Pacific region for the bacteriocin Nisin and the anti-fungal agent Conquer (used to treat mushroom blotch). As a lead project manager in several industrial/research projects, she was responsible for the interaction with company scientists based in UNSW. The latter work involved generation of food grade cloning vectors, isolation and cloning of several genes encoding bacteriophage resistance. The research carried out during this period culminated in the award of two patents. Following a return to Ireland she continued to work for Mauri Laboratories initially as a Consultant and later in the position of Technical Services Manager for Ireland and the UK. In 1996 she commenced work as a lecturer in Molecular Biology / Biotechnology in what is now Technological University Dublin.

Mary’s initial research was in the area of lactic acid bacteria in the gut flora, specifically relating to antimicrobial activity & probiotics. As lead researcher in a project on the production of Vitamin K in the gut flora of new-born infants, she initiated the assimilation of a significant microbial collection that continues to be mined extensively to identify specific gut microflora and their metabolites. Several research projects have been completed identifying and characterizing a number of antimicrobial bacteria for potential use in food and medical applications. Current internationally funded research is focused on a probiotic strain that has been shown to produce significant antimicrobial activity.