My research group focuses on predatory myxobacteria, such as Myxococcus xanthus, and how they have evolved to prey upon other microbes. We study natural myxobacteria isolates and their secreted vesicles/metabolites, using a variety of 'omic, biochemical and phenotypic techniques to identify genes conferring antimicrobial activity. We have recently become interested in applying myxobacteria as biological control agents in agriculture. Various projects are investigating how best to protect crop plants and edible insects from problematic fungal and bacterial pathogens using myxobacteria. 

Dave is a Professor of Biochemistry at Aberystwyth and coordinates the Biochemistry degree scheme. He studied for a BA in Biochemistry at Balliol College, Oxford (1991-1995) before completing a PhD in bacterial genetics at the University of Warwick (1999). After two postdoctoral posts and a lectureship at Warwick, Dave moved to Aberystwyth in 2008. He has been a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy since 2016 and served a term as member of Council for the Microbiology Society. Dave's research interests include bacterial genome evolution and functional genomics (particularly of predatory myxobacteria), and the pedagogy of skills and creativity.