Gary Sharples

Dr. Gary Sharples is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biosciences at Durham University, specializing in microbiology and antimicrobial research. His work focuses on unconventional antimicrobial agents, including clays, nanoparticles, and metal chelators. He collaborates with industry partners like Procter & Gamble and LightOx Ltd to develop alternatives to antibiotics.

Education: BSc (Hons) Microbiology from the University of Glasgow; PhD in Bacterial Genetics from the University of Nottingham. His research interests include bacterial genome rearrangements, biofilm mechanisms, and the role of metals in microbial pathogenesis.

Key projects involve analyzing antimicrobial surfaces, polymers, and therapeutic clays. He has published extensively on topics such as clay-based antibacterial mechanisms, metal ion deprivation strategies, and photoactivatable antimicrobials. Notable achievements include a Royal Society University Research Fellowship (1992-2000).

Students advised include Beth Hardman, Ella Finley, Josh Wadsworth, and others. His work bridges chemistry, microbiology, and materials science, with applications in food safety, healthcare, and environmental protection.