Shan Goh

Microbes evolve rapidly to survive in challenging environments, including exposure to antimicrobials. The emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, particularly pathogens with potential to infect both humans and animals (e.g. Clostridium difficile, MRSA, Escherichia coli, and Mycobacterium bovis), require investigations into alternative antimicrobials.

My research uses gene silencing agents, cationic peptides, and phage as antimicrobials and genetic tools for finding good drug targets. Related to the control of antibiotic resistance is understanding the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes within bacterial communities. My research is focused on how C. difficile phages contribute to horizontal gene transfer and whether such activities preclude their use as antimicrobials. 

Another strategy for infection control is to prime host immune responses using vaccines. Part of my research is on developing subunit vaccines against Theileria lestoquardi and T. parva, which are important protozoan parasites infecting and killing cattle in developing countries. 

Dr Shan Goh is a Lecturer in Microbiology. She completed her BSc(Hons.) in Microbiology and Pathology at the University of Western Australia, where she continued postgraduate studies on bacteriophages of Clostridium difficile obtaining her PhD in 2004. Dr Goh was a postdoctoral researcher at the National University of Singapore, studying C. difficile phages, from 2004-2006. She then joined the Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Singapore as a Research Scientist constructing expression plasmids for metabolic engineering. 

In 2006, she was awarded a visiting scientist scholarship by the Swedish Institute for postdoctoral training at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Here Dr Goh investigated growth essential gene stringency and thereafter joined a team searching for novel human viruses using next generation sequencing. Dr Goh moved to the Royal Veterinary College in 2009, working as a postdoctoral scientist formulating novel molecular therapeutics targeting pathogens infecting humans and animals. 

In 2017, Dr Goh joined the University of Hertfordshire and plans to continue her research on antimicrobial strategies, phage-mediated gene transfer, and genetic tool development in microbes important in human and animal health.