• People
• Dr Rachel Adams
• Dr Maninder Ahluwalia
• Prof. Rose Cooper
• Prof. Jorge D. Erusalimsky
• Dr Shelley-Ann Evans
• Dr Paul Foley
• Prof. Ken Jones
• Prof. M A Hannan
• Dr Sally Hicks
• Karin Jones
• Dr Keith Morris
• Dr Julia Rey-Nores
• Delia Ripley
• Dr Neil Rushmere
• Linnet Thekkemuriyl
• Dr Andrew Thomas
• Dr Peter J Watkins
• Dr Richard Webb
• Dr Sarah Maddocks
• Dr Lee Butcher
• Dr James Pearson
• Dr Barry McDonnell

Dr Rose Cooper 
Professor of Microbiology

Cardiff School of Health Sciences
Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC),
Western Avenue
Cardiff
CF5 2YB. 
WALES.
tel +44 (0)29 20416845
fax +44 (0)29 20416982
email: rcooper@cardiffmet.ac.uk

Academic Interests

Research
Wound infection and the role of micro-organisms in wound healing.
The antibacterial properties of honey.
The influence of honey on the wound healing process.

Teaching
Basic microbiology, microbial physiology and medical microbiology to biomedical scientists

University Responsibilities
UWIC Professoriate
School Professoriate
School Research & Enterprise Committee
School Research Degree Committee
School safety inspection team member

Research Student Supervision

Current Students
Aled Roberts (PhD): the effect of manuka honey on Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Chris Cherry (PhD): development of novel containment systems for freeze drying
Abdul Seckam (PhD): knowledge, attitudes and practice in using antimicrobial wound dressings
Chris Philips (PhD): development of polyclonal antibodies for severe Clostridium difficile infection

Past Students
Ana Henriques (PhD): the antibacterial activity of honey
Peter Obee (PhD): the role of environmental surfaces in the transmission of nosocomial infection
Rowena Jenkins (PhD): the effect of manuka honey on the cell cycle of MRSA
Olusola Okhiria (PhD): the role of biofilms in wounds
Catherine Moore (PhD): the development and implementation of molecular technology based service for the diagnosis of respiratory viruses in Wales  
Emma-Jane Wheat (MPhil): the wound healing potential of Welsh honeys
Rahma Al-Maaini (MPhil): inhibition of ESBL by honey
Ngo Jacky Kamden (MPhil): Biofilm formation in bacteria from chronic wounds

Other
Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts (FRSA)
Editor of Journal of ApiProduct & Apimedical Sciences (2009-2012)
Editorial Board member of Wounds UK
Editorial Board member of International Wound Journal (2006-2012)
Member of Council of International Bee Research Association
External examiner in Medical Laboratory Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman (2009-2011)

Research Profile

Career details
2008 to date Professor of Microbiology, Cardiff School of Health Sciences, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff/ Cardiff Metroplitan University
2005-2008 Reader in Microbiology, Cardiff School of Health Sciences, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
1992-2005 Principal Lecturer in Microbiology, Cardiff School of Health Sciences, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, UK (formerly Cardiff Institute of Higher Education)
1987-1992 Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Cardiff Institute of Higher Education (formerly South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education)
1973-1987 Lecturer grade II in Microbiology, South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education (formerly Llandaff College of Technology, Cardiff)
1971-1973 Lecturer grade I in Microbiology, Llandaff College of Technology
1976  PGCE, University of Wales
1972  PhD, University of Wales
1968 BSc, University of Wales

Research Interests
Rose Cooper began to investigate the microbiology of wounds in 1992, which led to an interest in the efficacy of topical antimicrobial agents. Since 1997 she has been especially interested in studying the mode of action of manuka honey on antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria isolated from infected and chronic wounds, such as MRSA.
 
She has also been investigating the potential of bacteria recovered from wounds to form biofilms and searching for ways to limit biofilm formation. More recently, she has been testing combinations of antibiotics and honey on wound pathogens to find synergistic interactions. In collaboration with Prof Chris Griffith, the role of hospital environmental surfaces in the transmission of bacteria has been explored, with a view to limiting cross-infection by effective cleaning.
 
Rose has contributed to several books, some television and radio programmes and has been an invited speaker at conferences in Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia and USA.
 
See current projects of the Microbiology and Infection Group

Selected Publications
In the area of wound infection:
1. Cooper RA, Ameen H, Price P, McCulloch DA, Harding KG (2009) A clinical investigation into the microbiological status of ‘locally infected’ led ulcers. Int. Wound J. 6(6): 453-462
 
2. Cooper R, White R (2009) Cutaneous infections in lymphoedema. Journal of Lymphoedema 4 (1): 44-48.
 
3. Vowden, P., Cooper, R.A. (2006) Guidelines for managing wound infection. EWMA Position Document. pp 2-7 London: MEP Ltd
 
4. Cooper RA (2005) Understanding wound infection. EWMA Position Document pp 2-5 London; MEP Ltd
 
5. Cooper R, Leaper D. (2005) Organisms of interest to the general surgeon. Surgery 23(8): 278-281

In the area of topical agents used in the treatment of wounds:

1. Jenkins R, Cooper R (2012) Improving antibiotic activity against wound pathogens with manuka honey in vitro PLoS ONE 7(9)e45600

2. Roberts R, Maddocks S, Cooper R (2012) Manuka honey is bactericidal against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and results in differential expression of OprF and algD Microbiology 158: 3005-3013

3. Green A, Rowlands R, Cooper R, Maddocks S (2012) The effect of the flavonol morin on adhesion and aggregation of Streptococcus pyogenes. FEMS Microbiology Letters DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2012.02598.x

4. Cooper R, Jenkins R (2012) Are there feasible prospects for manuka honey as an alternative to conventional antimicrobials? Expert Reviews in Antimicrobial Therapy 10(6): 623-5

5. Jenkins R, Wootton M, Howe R, Cooper R (2012) Susceptibility to manuka honey of Staphylococcus aureus with varying sensitivities to vancomycin. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 40: 88-89. Published online 11 May 2012. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2012.03.014

6. Jenkins RE, Cooper RA (2012) Synergy between oxacillin and manuka honey sensitizes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to oxacillin J Antimicrob Chemother 67(6): 1405-7 Epub 2012 Mar 1. Doi: 10.1093/jac/dks071)

7. Maddocks SE, Lopez MS, Rowlands R, Cooper RA (2012) Manuka honey inhibits the development of Streptococcus pyogenes biofilms and causes reduced expression of two fibronectin binding proteins. Microbiology 158: 781-790 doi: 10.1099/mic.0.053959-0

8. Henriques AF, Jenkins RE, Burton NF, Cooper RA (2010) The intracellular effects of manuka honey on Staphylococcus aureus. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 29 (1): 45-50. DOI 10.1007/s10096-009-0817-2
 
9. Cooper RA Jenkins L (2009) A comparison between medical grade honey and table honeys in relation to antimicrobial efficacy. Wounds 21 (2): 29-36 
 
10. Okhiria O, Henriques AFM, Burton NF, Peters A, Cooper RA (2009) Honey modulates biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a time and dose dependent manner Journal of ApiProduct and ApiMedical Science 1 (1): 6-10 doi 0.3896/IBRA.4.01.1.03
 
11. Robson V, Cooper R (2009) Using Leptospermum honey to manage wounds impaired by radiotherapy: a case series Ostomy Wound Management 55(1): 38-47
 
12. Honey for Modern Wound Management Ed Cooper R, Molan P, White R (2009) HealthComm UK Limited: Aberdeen. ISBN-13 978-0-9555758-5-3
 
13 Cooper RA, Wheat E-J, Burton NF (2008) An investigation into the wound healing potential of Welsh honeys Journal of Apicultural Research 47 (4): 251-255 doi10.3896/IBRA.1.47.4.03
 
14. Jenkins RE, Burton NF, Cooper RA (2008) A laboratory survey of the antimicrobial properties of honey-containing dressings. EWMA Journal 8 (3): 11-16
 
15. Robson V, Cooper RA, Ehsan ME. (2007) The use of honey in wound management following ENT surgery. Primary Intention 15 (4): 176-180
 
16. Cooper RA (2007) Iodine re-visited. Int. Wound J. 4(2): 124-137
10. Henriques A, Jackson S, Cooper R, Burton N. (2006) Free radical production and quenching in honeys with wound healing potential. J. Antimic. Chem. 58: 773-777
 
17. Henriques A, Burton NF, Cooper RA. (2005) Antibacterial activity of selected Portuguese honeys. J. Apicult. Res. 44(3): 119-123
 
18. French VM, Cooper RA, Molan PC (2005) The antibacterial effect of honey against coagulase-negative staphylococci. J. Antimic. Chem. 56: 228-231
 
19. Tonks, A.J., Cooper, R.A., Jones, K.P., Blair, S., Parton, J., Tonks, A. (2003) Honey stimulates inflammatory cytokine production from monocytes.  Cytokine 21: 242-247.
 
20. Cooper, R.A., Halas, E., Molan, P.C. (2002).  The efficacy of honey in inhibiting strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from infected burns.  The Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation 23 (6): 366-370.
 
21. Cooper, R.A., Molan, P.C., Harding, K.G. (2002).  The sensitivity to honey of Gram-positive cocci of clinical significance isolated from wounds. J. Appl. Micro. 93: 857-863.

In the area of hospital environmental surfaces and cleaning:
 
1. Griffith CJ, Obee P, Cooper RA, Burton NF, Lewis M (2007) The effectiveness of existing and modified cleaning regimens in a Welsh hospital. J. Hosp. Infect. 66: 352-359
 
2. Obee P, Griffith CJ, Cooper RA, Bennion NE (2007) An evaluation of different methods for the recovery of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from environmental surfaces. J. Hosp. Infect. 65: 35-41
 
3. Cooper RA, Griffith CJ, Malik RE, Obee P, Looker N (2007) Monitoring the effectiveness of cleaning in four British hospitals. Am J. Infect. Cont. 35 (5): 338-341
 
4. Obee PC, Griffith CJ, Cooper RA, Cooke RP, Bennion NE, Lewis M. (2005) Real-time monitoring in managing the decontamination of flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes. Am J. Infect. Control 33: 202-206.
 
5. Griffith, C.J., Malik, R., Cooper, R.A., Looker, N. (2003).  The potential for hand recontamination during handwashing.  Am. J. Infect. Control.  31 (2): 93-96
 
6. Malik, R.E., Cooper, R.A., Griffith, C.J. (2003).  The use of audit tools to evaluate the efficacy of cleaning systems in hospitals.  Am. J. Infection Control. 31 (3): 181-187