Dr Daniel Morse
Research Associate
- morsedj@cardiff.ac.uk
- Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I am a research associate working in the Microbiomes, Microbes and Informatics group in the School of Biosciences. My current project is co-funded by a Wellcome Trust ISSF Award and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, and focuses on understanding the influence of the oral microbiome toward the virulence of Candida albicans in biofilms, and associated mechanisms.
My academic interests lie within biofilms, microbial interactions, 3D tissue model culture and using the tissues and biofilms to model infections. I also have experience in characterisation of the microbiota of sites within the oral cavity to identify associations with health and disease.
Biography
(Sep 2018 – Present) Research Associate at Cardiff University School of Biosciences, funded by Wellcome Trust ISSF and supported by GlaxoSmithKline
(Sep 2017 – Aug 2018) Postdoctoral Research Assistant at Cardiff University School of Dentistry, funded by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
(Oct 2013 – Sep 2017) Ph.D in Dentistry at Cardiff University School of Dentistry, case award funded by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (EPSRC-GSK). Ph.D thesis: Denture acrylic biofilms: microbial composition, interactions and infection.
(2010 – 2013) R&D Scientist at Genesis Biosciences (biotechnology company) working on developing, formulating and evaluating probiotic surface cleansers, surface disinfectants, and vapour phase antimicrobials
(2006 – 2009) B.Sc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences at University of the West of England
Honours and awards
2017
British Society for Oral and Dental Research, Plymouth, UK
Oral Presentation: Contribution of oral bacteria to Candida virulence and denture stomatitis
Senior Colgate Prize Winner
2016
Biofilms7, Porto, Portugal
Poster: Development of an in vitro oral mucosal tissue model for biofilm infection
Poster Prize Winner
2015
MITReG annual meeting, Canada Lake and Lodge, Cardiff, UK
Poster: Bacteria increase expression of Candida virulence factors in biofilms
Poster Prize Runner Up
Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair (CITER), Bristol, UK
Oral Presentation: Development of an in vitro tissue model for biofilm infection
Highly Commended
2014
Oral Microbiology and Immunology Group (OMIG) meeting, Gregynog, Wales
Poster: Development of an in vitro biofilm model on denture acrylic
Poster Prize Winner
Speaking engagements
2018International Association of Dental Research, London, UK
Title: Contribution of oral bacteria toward Candida virulence and denture stomatitis
2016Oral Microbiology and Immunology Group (OMIG) meeting, Gregynog, Wales
Title: Development of an in vitro tissue model for biofilm infection
GlaxoSmithKline Student Symposium, Weybridge, Surrey, UK
Title: Denture associated oral microbiome analysis by community profiling via next generation sequencing
2015International Association of Dental Research (IADR) Boston, MA, USA
Title: Bacteria increase expression of Candida virulence factors in biofilms
British Society of Oral and Dental Research (BSODR), Cardiff, UK
Title: Development of an in vitro tissue model for biofilm infection
Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair (CITER), Bristol, UK
Title: Development of an in vitro tissue model for biofilm infection
Highly Commended Award
GlaxoSmithKline Student Symposium, Weybridge, Surrey, UK
Title: Development of an in vitro tissue model for biofilm infection
Publications
2023
- Serrano-Diaz, P. et al. 2023. Geranium leaf-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their transcriptomic effects on Candida albicans. Green Processing and Synthesis 12(1), article number: 202281. (10.1515/gps-2022-8105)
2019
- Morse, D. J. et al. 2019. Molecular community profiling of the bacterial microbiota associated with denture-related stomatitis. Scientific Reports 9, article number: 10228. (10.1038/s41598-019-46494-0)
- Morse, D., Wilson, M., Wei, X. q., Bradshaw, D., Lewis, M. and Williams, D. 2019. Modulation of Candida albicans virulence in in vitro biofilms by oral bacteria. Letters in Applied Microbiology 68(4), pp. 337-343. (10.1111/lam.13145)
2018
- Morse, D., Wilson, M., Wei, X., Lewis, M. A. O., Bradshaw, D. J., Murdoch, C. and Williams, D. 2018. Denture-associated biofilm infection in 3-dimensional 1 oral mucosal tissue models. Journal of Medical Microbiology 67(3), pp. 364-375. (10.1099/jmm.0.000677)
2017
- Morse, D. 2017. Denture acrylic biofilms: microbial composition, interactions and infection.. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
2015
- Cavalcanti, Y. W. et al. 2015. Virulence and pathogenicity of Candida albicans is enhanced in biofilms containing oral bacteria. Biofouling 31(1), pp. 27-38. (10.1080/08927014.2014.996143)
Teaching
MSc Oral Biology:
Biofilms 1: Development and characteristics
Biofilms 2: Role in disease and management strategies
MSc Implantology:
Microbial ecology of the oral cavity
Biofilms and role in oral disease
I am keen to expand my teaching repertoire; lectures, group facilitation, interview and examinations. Please contact me if you wish to discuss opportunities further.
Research Interests
- Polymicrobial oral biofilms and microbial interactions between bacteria and Candida albicans, and between bacterial species
- Influence of the oral bacterial microbiota toward C. albicans virulence within biofilms
- Use of 3D tissue models to model biofilm infections, and evaluation of host responses
- Use of pre- and probiotics to selectively modulate C albicans virulence.
Supervision
I am interested in supervising undergraduate projects, summer students and postgraduate projects in the following areas:
- Biofilms
- Microbial interactions
- Tissue infection and host responses
- Tissue modelling