Research output per year
Research output per year
Dr, BSc, MSc, PhD, FHEA, Ph.D.
Bacterial cell envelope plays crucial roles in bacterial physiology, morphogenesis, and interactions with phages or host cells. We are interested in the biosynthesis, structure, and function of bacterial cell surface molecules, particularly glycopolymers and membrane proteins, in nosocomial drug-resistant pathogens. We use a wide range of molecular and cellular microbiology approaches to study the functions of these surface molecules in antimicrobial resistance, biofilm formation, microbial pathogenesis, immune evasion and interactions with bacteriophage. We believe this work will provide novel insight into the roles of bacterial surface molecules in host-microbe interactions and help develop novel diagnostics and therapeutics for drug-resistant bacterial infections.
Guoqing studied Microbiology and received his PhD from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He subsequently undertook several postdoctoral positions investigating host-microbe interactions before being appointed group leader at the University of Tübingen. In 2013, he was appointed Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester.
BSc, MSc, PhD, DrRerNat, FHEA
Certificate in Medical Education
British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC)
International Society for Viruses of Microorganisms (ISVM)
Editor - FEMS Microbiology Letters (2016-2018)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Antibiotic resistance has become a global crisis and ESKAPE pathogens including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in particular pose a serious threat to our healthcare system. Our research focuses on β-lactam resistance mechanisms and new agents active against these priority pathogens .
References:
Mikkelsen K, Sirisarn W, et al (2021 ). The novel membrane-associated auxiliary factors AuxA and AuxB modulate β-lactam resistance in MRSA by stabilizing lipoteichoic acids. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2021 Mar;57(3):106283.
Gerlach D, Guo Y, et al (2018) Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus alters cell wall glycosylation to evade immunity. Nature. 563, 705-709.
Waters EM, Rudkin JK, et al (2017) Redeploying β-lactam antibiotics as a novel anti-virulence strategy for the treatment of severe MRSA infections, J Infect Dis, 215, 80-87.
Brown S, Xia G, et al (2012) Methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus requires glycosylated wall teichoic acids. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,109: 18909-14
Increasing antibiotic resistance has prompted a renewed interest in phage research. Our research focuses on S. aureus phages and aims to investigate phage-host interactions, such as phage adsorption, replication, and bacterial immunity to phage infections. We believe that this study will provide new insights and tools for the development of new diagnostics and therapeutics for drug-resistant bacterial infections.
References:
Winstel V, Liang C, et al (2013) Wall teichoic acid structure governs horizontal gene transfer between major bacterial pathogens. Nat. Commun, 4: Article number 2345.
Xia G, Wolz C.(2014) Phages of Staphylococcus aureus and their impact on host evolution. Infect. Genet. Evol. 21:593-601.
Idelevich E, Walther T, et al (2014).Bacteriophage-based latex agglutination test for rapid identification of Staphylococcus aureus. J. Clin. Microbiol. 52(9), 3394-3398
Li, X, Gerlach D, et al (2015). An accessory wall teichoic acid glycosyltransferase protects Staphylococcus aureus from the lytic activity of Podoviridae. Sci Rep, 5, 17219.
Koc C, Xia G, et al. (2016). Structure of the host-recognition device of Staphylococcus aureus phage Φ11. Sci Rep, 6, 27581.
Li X, Koc C, et al (2016). An essential role for the baseplate protein Gp45 in phage adsorption to Staphylococcus aureus. Sci Rep, 6, 26455.
Current Teaching in FBMH
MEDN68652 Vaccinations, Antimicrobials and Resistance
MEDN68680: Microbiology dissertation
2. MBChB Program :
Problem based learning
PEP Literature review
3. MSc programme in Infection Biology:
BIOL66121 Research Project I
BIOL66132 Research Project II
4. UGT teaching :
BIOOL21090, BIOL30101
BIOL30030, BIOL31220,
BIOL40000 , BIOL33000
BIOL40010 MSci Research Project
5. MAHSE/Doctoral Academy (2017-):
HSST: DrClinSci (Microbiology)
6. SBS Examinations Officer ( 2022-)
Past Teaching
MEDN 68621: Understanding Infection ( 2013-2016 )
MEDN 68680: Microbiology Dissertation (2013-2016)
BIOL66121 Research Project I ( 2018-2022 )
3. Lecturer/ Teaching assistant: (2013-2022 )
MEDN 68511: Principles of Microbiology
MEDN 68632: Molecular Diagnostics
MEDN 68662: Clinical Microbiology 1
MEDN 68672: Clinical Microbiology 2
MEDN 69910: Research Methods
MEDN 68642: Global Health and Epidemiology
BIOL 68921 : Host-pathogen interactions in health and disease
PhD Opportunities:
1. β-Lactam resistance in MRSA: mechanisms and solutions.
2. Novel strategies and agents for ESKAPE infections
3. Biology and biomedical applications of phages.
All rooms are located in stopford building and phone numbers start with 0161 27-
Lab address:
Room 1.223, Stopford building,
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester, M13 9PT
United Kingdom
Links:
1. Bacteriology Research at the University of Manchester
2. The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/researchers-uncover-camouflage-strategy-of-multi-resistant-bacteria/
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Guoqing Xia (Participant)
Activity: Participating in or organising event(s) › Participating in a conference, workshop, exhibition, performance, inquiry, course etc › Research
Guoqing Xia (Participant)
Activity: Participating in or organising event(s) › Participating in a conference, workshop, exhibition, performance, inquiry, course etc › Research
4/12/18
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Blogs and social media