Biological Sciences

Graham Bremer

Mr Graham Bremer

Visiting Lecturer

Biological Sciences

University of Portsmouth
School of Biological Sciences
King Henry Building
King Henry I Street
Portsmouth
PO1 2DY

graham.bremer@port.ac.uk

Profile

Research Interests

Marine microbes particularly fungi and fungoid protists; their role in the environment and biotechnological application. Production of n (omega) 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by the fungoid protists the thraustochytrids. Improving the bioefficacy of fungicides used as crop protectants by a combination of mathematical modelling and laboratory bioassays.

Teaching Interests

  • Writing and presentation skills for Postgraduate Certificate for Scientific Research Methods.
  • Microscopy and electron microscopy for Microbiolopgy and Forensic Biology students.
  • Fungal pathogen/plant host interactions for Plant Science students.

Consultancy

Recent consultancies include: Cyanamid/BASF Agrochemical division; Dominion Pharma U.K.; Manhattan Haircare Products U.K.

Collaborations

  • 2000- Institute of Human Nutrition, Southampton General Hospital study of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism.
  • 2001- New Zealand Dairy Institute. Using marine microorganisms to improve n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of waste products from milk processing.

Grants

  • 1994 BBSRC CASE award with Zeneca Life Science Molecules
  • 1996 BBSRC CASE award with Zeneca Life Science Molecules
  • 1997 BBSRC CASE award with Zeneca Agrochemicals
  • 1998 University RAE PhD Bursary with Zeneca Life Science Molecules
  • 2001 University RAE PhD Bursary with Avecia (Zeneca) Life Science Molecules
  • 2004 BBSRC CASE Award with Zeneca Agrochemicals

Scientific committee member for conferences:

  • Invited or keynote speaker at Marine Biotechnology conferences. Greifswald, Germany 1996 & 1999. Brest 1997, Edinburgh 1996 & 2001.
  • Natural Products from Marine Microorganisms. Geifswald, Germany, June 2002.
  • Marine Biotechnology: basics and applications. Spain, February 2003.

Reviewer/referee for:

  • Staff reviewer: Marine Ecology Progress Series. Reviewer for: Journal of Biotechnology, Botanica Marina, Marine Biology, Mycological Research.

PhD Students

  • Robert Bowles (1997) Production of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by thraustochytrids: physiology and optimisation.
  • Alison Hunt (2000) Production of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid DHA by members of the protistan group the thraustochytrids.
  • Somtawin Jaritkhuan (2001) Thraustochytrids as a food source in aquaculture.
  • Julie Clipston (2001) Production of metabolites with pesticidal activity by marine derived fungi.
  • Joanne Slater (2001) Molecular study of n-3 PUFA production by the marine protist Thraustochytrium striatum.

Recent Publications

  • Bremer G., (1998). Marine microorganisms as a source of novel bioactive compounds; current status and strategies for the future. In Marine Microorganisms for Industry. Eds. LeGal, Y and Mueller-Fuega A. EditionsIFREMER PlouzaneFrance.112-120.
  • Jaritkhuan S., Jones E.B.G. and Bremer G., (1998). Thraustochytrids as a food source in aquaculture. Proceedings of Asia pacific Conference on Biodiversity and Biotechnology. Thailand.163-168.
  • Bowles R.D., Hunt A.E., Bremer G., Duchars M. and Eaton R.A. (1999) Long chain n- polyunsaturated fatty acid production by members of the marine protistan group the thraustochytrids: screening of isolates and optimisation of docosahexaenoic acid production. Journal of Biotechnology. 70:193-202
  • Bremer G. (2000) Techniques for the isolation and study of thraustochytrids. In: Methods in Marine Mycology@ Eds. Hyde K.D, Pointing S. and Tan T.K.,  Fungal Diversity Press. University of Hong Kong.49-61.
  • Hellio C., Bremer G.,Pons A., LeGal Y. and Bourgognon N. (2000). Inhibition of the development of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) by extracts of marine algae from Brittany, France. Appl. Microbiol Biotechnol. 54:543-549.
  • Zentz F., Hellio C.,Valla A., La Broise D., Bremer G. and Labia R. (2002). Antifouling acticities of  N-substituted Imides: Antimicrobial activities and inhibition of Mytilus edulis phenoloxidase. Marine Biotechnology4. 431-440.
  • Chowdhury N., Bremer G.B., Ford M.G. & Miller P. A (2003) A novel method of delivering  Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei spores for laboratory experiments. Crop Protection 22(7): 917-922.
  • Hellio C., Marechal J.P., Veron B., Bremer G., Clare A.S. and Le Gal Y. (2004) Seasonal variations of antifouling activities of marine algae from the Brittany Coast (France). Marine Biotechnol. 6, 67-82.