Dr Tim Nichol BSc , MSc, PhD, FHEA
Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences
- Department of Biosciences And Chemistry
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre
- Industry and Innovation Research Institute
Summary
A microbiology and biosciences lecturer. with research interests primarily focusing on the development of antimicrobial sol-gel coatings. I also have research interests in microbial fermentations, bacterial oxygenases and biocatalysis.
About
Following completion of a BSc in Biomedical Sciences at Glasgow University and an MSc in Pathological Sciences at Sheffield Hallam University, I started working at Sheffield University as a research technician. I went on to complete a PhD investigating the catalytic activity of bacterial oxygenases, followed by a number of postdoc positions developing antibiotic eluting medical devices and antimicrobial coatings. I was appointed as a lecturer in biological sciences here at Sheffield Hallam University in 2016. I am an active researcher primarily focusing on the development of antimicrobial sol-gel coatings. I also have research interests in bacterial biofilms, microbial fermentations, bacterial oxygenases and biocatalysis.
Teaching
Department of Biosciences and Chemistry
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
I teach microbiology and infection control to bioscience, chemistry and nursing students. I also deliver on the Professional and Scientific Practice modules.
Subject Area
Microbiology and Biological Sciences.
Courses
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Biosciences and Nursing courses.
Modules
- Professional and Scientific practice 1, 2, ,3
- Fundamentals of Microbial Biotechnology
- Fundamentals of Molecular Microbiology
- Advanced Applications in Microbial Biotechnology
- Case Studies in Infectious Disease
- Science for Professional Practice
- Undergraduate and Postgraduate research projects
Research
Development of antimicrobial sol gel coatings for medical devices.
Publications
Journal articles
Bertelsen, M., Lacey, M., Nichol, T., & Miller, K. (2023). Mechanistic Insight into the Early Stages of Toroidal Pore Formation by the Antimicrobial Peptide Smp24. Pharmaceutics, 15 (10). http://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15102399
Spatola Rossi, T., Tolmie, A.F., Nichol, T., Pain, C., Harrison, P., Smith, T.J., ... Kriechbaumer, V. (2023). Recombinant expression and subcellular targeting of the particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) protein components in plants. Scientific Reports, 13 (1). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42224-9
Capper-Parkin, K.L., Nichol, T., Smith, T.J., Lacey, M.M., & Forbes, S. (2023). Antimicrobial and cytotoxic synergism of biocides and quorum-sensing inhibitors against uropathogenic Escherichia coli. The Journal of hospital infection, 134, 138-146. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2023.02.004
Dawson, R.A., Crombie, A.T., Jansen, R.S., Smith, T., Nichol, T., & Murrell, C. (2023). Peering down the sink: a review of isoprene metabolism by bacteria. Environmental microbiology. http://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.16325
Karthikeyan, O.P., Smith, T.J., Dandare, S.U., Parwin, K.S., Singh, H., Loh, H.X., ... Kumaresan, D. (2021). Metal(loid) speciation and transformation by aerobic methanotrophs. Microbiome, 9 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-021-01112-y
Nichol, T., Callaghan, J., Townsend, R., Stockley, I., Hatton, P.V., Le Maitre, C., ... Akid, R. (2021). The antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility of a controlled gentamicin-releasing single-layer sol-gel coating on hydroxyapatite-coated titanium. The Bone & Joint Journal, 103-B (3), 522-529. http://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620x.103b3.bjj-2020-0347.r1
Pakiet, M., Kowalczyk, I., Leiva Garcia, R., Moorcroft, R., Nichol, T., Smith, T., ... Brycki, B. (2019). Gemini surfactant as multifunctional corrosion and biocorrosion inhibitors for mild steel. Bioelectrochemistry, 128, 252-262. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.04.005
Lock, M., Nichol, T., Murrell, J.C., & Smith, T. (2017). Mutagenesis and expression of methane monooxygenase to alter regioselectivity with aromatic substrates. FEMS microbiology letters, 364 (13), fnx137. http://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnx137
Frew, N.M., Cannon, T., Nichol, T., Smith, T., & Stockley, I. (2017). Comparison of the elution properties of commercially available gentamicin and bone cement containing vancomycin with 'home-made' preparations. The bone & joint journal, 98-B (1), 73-77. http://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.99B1.BJJ-2016-0566.R1
Nichol, T., Smith, T., Townsend, R., Stockley, I., & Akid, R. (2016). Analysis of linezolid and tigecycline as candidates for local prophylaxis via antibiotic-loaded bone cement. The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy, 72 (2), 410-416. http://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkw410
Salih, S., Paskins, A., Nichol, T., Smith, T., & Hamer, A. (2015). The cement spacer with multiple indentations : increasing antibiotic elution using a cement spacer 'teabag'. The Bone & Joint Journal, 97-B (11), 1519-1524. http://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.97B11.35618
Nichol, T., Murrell, J.C., & Smith, T.J. (2015). Controlling the activities of the Diiron Centre in bacterial monooxygenases: lessons from mutagenesis and biodiversity. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2015 (21), 3419-3431. http://doi.org/10.1002/ejic.201500043
Barker, S., Nichol, T., Harrison, P.L., Stockley, I., Townsend, R., & Smith, T.J. (2015). Temocillin: a new candidate antibiotic for local antimicrobial delivery in orthopaedic surgery? The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy, 70 (3), 780-783. http://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dku425
Dodds, S., Smith, T.S., Akid, R., Stephenson, J., Nichol, T., Banerjee, R.D., ... Townsend, R. (2011). Contrasting effects of physical wear on elution of two antibiotics from orthopaedic cement. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 56 (3), 1471-1475. http://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.01588-10
Borodina, E., Nichol, T., Dumont, M.G., Smith, T.J., & Murrell, J.C. (2007). Mutagenesis of the "Leucine Gate" to explore the basis of catalytic versatility in soluble methane monooxygenase. Applied and environmental microbiology, 73 (20), 6460-6467. http://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00823-07
Conference papers
Dascombe, L., Nichol, T., Le Maitre, C., & Aberdein, N. (2023). Translating resolution: Altering micro-computed tomography outputs for 3D bio-printing. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, 29 (13-14).
Book chapters
Nichol, T., Murrell, J.C., & Smith, T.J. (2019). Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Methane Monooxygenase. In Aerobic Utilization of Hydrocarbons, Oils, and Lipids. (pp. 99-115). Springer International Publishing: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50418-6_5
Smith, T.J., & Nichol, T. (2018). Engineering soluble methane monooxygenase for biocatalysis. In Kalyuzhnaya, M.G., & Xin-Hui, X. (Eds.) Methane biocatalysis: Paving the way to sustainability. (pp. 153-168). Springer International Publishing: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74866-5_10
Theses / Dissertations
Capper-Parkin, K.L. (2024). Development of Antimicrobial Impregnated Catheter Coatings to Prevent Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Infections. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Forbes, S., Nichol, T., Lacey, M., & Smith, T. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00589
Capper-Parkin, K.L. (2024). Development of Antimicrobial Impregnated Catheter Coatings to Prevent Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Infections. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Forbes, S., Nichol, T., Lacey, M., & Smith, T. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00589
Presentations
Lacey, M., & Nichol, T. (2020). Microbiology intro labs via zoom: swabs, masks and belly button fluff. Presented at: LectuREmotely webinar
Posters
Lacey, M., & Nichol, T. (2021). Microbiology introduction sessions on Zoom: swabs, masks and belly button fluff. Presented at: Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference, online