His research interests focus on the ways in which bacteria control virulence through cell-cell communication (quorum sensing) and the discovery of new antibacterial agents and biofilm resistant polymers for preventing medical device associated infections. He has published over 350 research articles and patents and has served on the Medical Research Council Infection & Immunology board, BBSRC Plants and Microbes panel and on the scientific advisory board of the European Union Joint Programming Initiative in Antimicrobial Resistance. He is a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator, Director of a Wellcome Trust Ph.D Training Programme in Antimicrobials and Antimicrobial Resistance and a member of the European Academy of Microbiology.