Background
My current research is dominated by gut microbiome interactions and dietary intervention. Both probiotics (live microbial feed additions) and prebiotics (selectively fermented carbohydrates) are studied. There is a mixture of research funding that explores basic principles and their translational effects. I currently research acute and chronic gut disease, obesity, probiotics and prebiotics, gastroenteritis in specialist populations (professional athletes, military) and colonic homeostasis. Gut models are used to test initial principles, before moving to in vivo trials.
July 2024 - 8 books, 510 research papers, >400 published abstracts, >1000 conference presentations (ca 250 plenary)
Co-instigator of the prebiotic concept for gut microbiota modulation. The article which originally coined this term was confirmed as the most highly cited paper ever published on any area of functional foods. There are now over 4000 research papers on this subject. Given Highly Cited Researcher status from Thomson Reuters since 2001.
Past President and Founder member of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). In 2019, I helped set up an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the gut microbiome. This influential body includes a group of MPs and peers that have a growing interest in the field.
