School of Pharmacy

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Dr Brendan Gilmore, of the School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, is this year’s winner of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Science Award for his outstanding research in the field of pharmaceutical microbiology, particularly in bacterial biofilm control. Dr Gilmore delivered his award lecture, “From proteases to plasmas: new weapons in the war against biofilms”, on 2^nd September 2013 at the PharmSci2013 conference in Edinburgh. The award was presented by Helen Gordon, Chief Executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

The RPS Science Award is presented annually to a pharmaceutical scientist with no more than 10 years’ experience at post-doctoral level who has a proven record of independent research and published work that shows outstanding promise. Dr Gilmore’s research is focused on developing novel approaches to controlling bacterial biofilms, matrix-enclosed bacterial communities adhered to surfaces, which exhibit elevated tolerance to antibiotics and biocides. Bacterial biofilms are implicated in up to 80% of all chronic infections, and infections associated with indwelling medical devices, such as catheters and stents.

Commenting on the award, Prof David Woolfson, Head of the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast, said “This award recognises Dr. Gilmore’s innovative contributions to the field of bacterial biofilm and infection.  It is the second time in the past four years that a member of staff from the Queen’s School of Pharmacy has won the award, confirming again the high quality and impact of the School’s research programmes”.

Bill Dawson, chairman of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences is delighted that Dr Gilmore has been so honoured by the RPS. He said: “Novel ways to control infection have been highlighted recently by the chief medical officer and scientists like Dr Gilmore have a key role to play in this. He has recently taken a leadership role in the APS focus group on microbiology and I am really pleased that this award strengthens the partnership between the RPS and the APS.”

Speaking about his award, Dr Gilmore said “It was a tremendous honour to receive this prestigious award from the RPS, and humbling in light of the calibre of previous recipients who have made significant contributions to the pharmaceutical sciences over the years. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to both past and current members my research group, to my mentors Prof Sean Gorman and Prof Howard Ceri (University of Calgary), Prof Brian Walker and to Prof David Woolfson and Prof David Jones, for their guidance and support throughout my career”.

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