David Whitworth

Prof, BA (Oxon), PhD (Warwick), SFHEA, FIBMS

20012025

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Research interests

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. 

Profile

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.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

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):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

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