Professor Mike Gidley
Professor

Mike Gidley

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52251

Background

Professor Mike Gidley is Director of the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences (CNAFS) at the University of Queensland, Australia. The Centre is part of the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) in conjunction with the Queensland Government. Prof Gidley’s research is focussed on structure – function relationships in biopolymer assemblies such as starch granules and plant cell walls. This has led to the detailed characterisation of starch and dietary fibre digestion/fermentation in vitro and in vivo, with the understanding generated leading to opportunities for optimising nutritional value of foods and feeds. He is also a Chief Investigator in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls.

Professor Gidley was trained in chemistry at the Universities of London (BSc) and Cambridge (PhD), and worked on food-related research for more than twenty years in Unilever’s R+D laboratory at Colworth House in the UK, beginning as a research scientist and culminating as the Group Leader for Plant-based Foods and Ingredients, before joining UQ in 2003.

Professor Gidley’s major research interest is the linking of plant molecular structures to macroscopic properties with relevance to plant-based food properties. In particular, he is interested in investigating polysaccharide assemblies such as plant cell walls and starch granules, particularly the way these structures are assembled in nature and then disassembled during manufacturing and later during digestion. His field of research involves the use of spectroscopic, microscopic and materials analyses of natural materials and model systems. Insights into structure-property relationships are obtained, that can then be used to provide targets for raw materials and processes with enhanced food and nutritional properties.

Availability

Professor Mike Gidley is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Engineering Food sciences Nutrition and dietetics

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge

Research interests

  • Plant-based foods

    Clarifying the mechanisms which underpin the nutritional benefits of plant-based foods, with emphases on intact cellular structures, molecular interactions, satiety/satiation effects, and fermentation by the gut microbiome.

Research impacts

The work of Prof Gidley and the CNAFS team supports the development of enhanced health outcomes and economic benefits for Queensland and Australia by carrying out relevant fundamental and applied research across the nutrition and food sciences to provide a sound basis for subsequent exploitation.

The science of food and nutrition involves the integration of approaches drawing from physical, chemical and biological disciplines. A range of cross-disciplinary approaches, modern analytical techniques and understanding developed through study of model systems is used to identify the fundamental mechanisms responsible for important food and nutrition properties. This involves extensive collaboration with research groups within UQ and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), and many other Australian and international partners.

Current research themes address the broad topic of naturally functional foods, and include:

Molecular basis for food quality

Food bio-materials and processing

Health and nutrition properties

Search Professor Mike Gidley’s works on UQ eSpace

586 works between 1979 and 2025
All (586) Journal Article (386) Book Chapter (12) Conference Publication (186) Book (1) Other Outputs (1)

581 - 586 of 586 works

1980

Journal Article

Intermolecular association in pectin solutions

Davis, M.A.F., Gidley, M.J., Morris, E.R., Powell, D.A. and Rees, D.A. (1980). Intermolecular association in pectin solutions. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2 (5), 330-332. doi: 10.1016/0141-8130(80)90059-8

Intermolecular association in pectin solutions

1980

Journal Article

Characterization of pectin gelation under conditions of low water activity, by circular dichroism, competitive inhibition and mechanical properties

Morris, E.R., Gidley, M.J., Murray, E.J., Powell, D.A. and Rees, D.A. (1980). Characterization of pectin gelation under conditions of low water activity, by circular dichroism, competitive inhibition and mechanical properties. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2 (5), 327-330. doi: 10.1016/0141-8130(80)90058-6

Characterization of pectin gelation under conditions of low water activity, by circular dichroism, competitive inhibition and mechanical properties

1980

Journal Article

Evidence for two mechanisms of interchain association in calcium pectate gels

Gidley, M.J., Morris, E.R., Murray, E.J., Powell, D.A. and Rees, D.A. (1980). Evidence for two mechanisms of interchain association in calcium pectate gels. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2 (5), 332-334. doi: 10.1016/0141-8130(80)90060-4

Evidence for two mechanisms of interchain association in calcium pectate gels

1980

Journal Article

‘Acetaldehyde-enkephalins’: elucidation of the structure of the acetaldehyde adducts of methionine-enkephalin and leucine-enkephalin

Summers, Michael C., Gidley, Michael J. and Sanders, Jeremy K. (1980). ‘Acetaldehyde-enkephalins’: elucidation of the structure of the acetaldehyde adducts of methionine-enkephalin and leucine-enkephalin. Febs Letters, 111 (2), 307-310. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(80)80816-7

‘Acetaldehyde-enkephalins’: elucidation of the structure of the acetaldehyde adducts of methionine-enkephalin and leucine-enkephalin

1980

Journal Article

The relationship between structure and activity of taurolin

Myers, E., Allwood, M.C., Gidley, M.J. and Sanders, J.K.M. (1980). The relationship between structure and activity of taurolin. Journal of Applied Bacteriology, 48 (1), 89-96. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1980.tb05210.x

The relationship between structure and activity of taurolin

1979

Journal Article

Spectroscopic and stoicheiometric characterisation of the calcium-mediated association of pectate chains in gels and in the solid state

Gidley, Michael J., Morris, Edwin R., Murray, Edward J., Powell, David A. and Rees, David A. (1979). Spectroscopic and stoicheiometric characterisation of the calcium-mediated association of pectate chains in gels and in the solid state. Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications (22), 990-992. doi: 10.1039/c39790000990

Spectroscopic and stoicheiometric characterisation of the calcium-mediated association of pectate chains in gels and in the solid state

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2027
    Sustainable Precision Feeding in Broiler Chickens in Australia
    AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Nutrition, Gut Health and Environment Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    How to make antibiotics in pig feed redundant, naturally
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2028
    Fight Food Waste CRC - Transform Program
    Fight Food Waste CRC
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2027
    Polysaccharides Research Fund
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Lean design workshop to understand future challenges for horticulture production in tropical and subtropical regions of Australia
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    ARC Training Centre for Uniquely Australian Foods
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Advanced Nanoparticle, Colloid and Microparticle Characterisation and Precision Engineering Nanosystems Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018
    In vitro gastric processing equipment
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Biomanufacturing advanced animal feed supplements (AQIP 2016 project administered by Queensland University of Technology)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Design rules for nutritionally-functional grains
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Naturally Nutritious
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Molecular characterization of complex biological polymers
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Measurement of grain enzyme diffusion rates and grain threshold particle size calculator
    CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Predicting the effects of fibre, grain digestion rate and the ileal brake on voluntary feed intake
    CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Enabling the design of superior healthy snack foods and beverages through innovative assessment of oral processing and mucosal film interactions
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Design rules for nutritionally-functional starches
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    New biobased adhesives: improved mechanical properties, waterproofing, and reduced energy requirements for corrugated paper products
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Automated in vitro fermentation gas measurement
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2018
    Agents of change: Transforming the food industry for Australia, Asia and beyond
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Structural understanding of the degradation of glucose polymers
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    High performance thermoplastic starch polymer films for controlled barrier and delivery
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Optimising particle size distribution for grains and protein sources
    CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2018
    ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Wall Biology (ARC COE administered by the University of Adelaide)
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Establishment of a robotic liquid handling platofrm for the use of 384 and 1536 well plates
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Facility for advanced rheological and surface-friction characterisation
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Processing methods of grains - Extension
    CRC for an Internationally Competitive Pork Industry
    Open grant
  • 2011
    UQ Travel Awards Category 1 - Dr H. Douglas Goff
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Influence of nutrient asynchrony on finisher growth performance and feed efficiency
    CRC for an Internationally Competitive Pork Industry
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Complex Cereal Carbohydrates (CSIRO Food Futures Flagship led by the University of Adelaide)
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Analytical instrumentation enabling rapid compound separation and chemical structure analysis via mass fingerprinting
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010
    High content imaging analysis for bioactive and novel therapeutic target evaluation
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Importance of high vegetable consumption in controlling weight (Horticulture Australia Ltd grant administered through the University of Wollongong)
    University of Wollongong
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Strengthening the food biomaterials testing facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010
    UQ-Dairy Science Research Program: E: Dairy Nutrition
    Dairy Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Establishing the relations between starch nano- and mesostructure and macroscopic physical properties
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Facility for characterisation of multiscale rheology and tribology of soft matter, food and biofluids
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Protein Syndicate - Postdoctoral Fellowship Funding: Proteins in the Dry State
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Nutritional properties of mango fruits: linking plant genomics to cellular bioactivities
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Improving the efficiency of pig feed manufacturing and application of additives
    CRC for an Internationally Competitive Pork Industry
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Methods to improve the nutritional value of sorghum for broilers
    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    Director, Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences - UQ/QDPI&F joint appointment
    Queensland Department Primary Industries
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Solid State NMR Console
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Redesigning Grain Polysaccharides
    CSIRO Flagships Collaboration Fund
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    The Molecular Mechanism of Protein Instability in Dairy Powder Systems
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006
    A high resolution, high-throughput chromatographic system for separation and characterisation of complex samples
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Processing methods for improving the utilisation of cereal grains by pigs
    CRC for an Internationally Competitive Pork Industry
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Identification of nutritional bioactives in tropical fruit
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2012
    Degradable packaging materials derived from renewable resources
    CRC for Polymers
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2009
    Molecular basis for processing functionally
    Food Science Australia
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    Molecular mechanisms underlying milk protein stability during dehydration and in the dry state
    Dairy Ingredients Group of Australia Ltd.
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Proteins in the Dry State
    Food Science Australia
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Cellulose-based composites as models for primary plant cell walls of cereals and grasses
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Nutrient Metabolomics: In vitro assay approaches to identifying nutritional biomolecules in tropical fruit
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Self-assembly of gelling biopolymer particles
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2007
    Research Director in the area of Food Science and Food Technology
    Queensland Department Primary Industries
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Mike Gidley is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the relationship between the shape, size and local density of food gels and their functionality in vitro

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Bernadine Flanagan, Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen, Dr Heather Shewan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Wattleseeds for nutritional foods

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Bernadine Flanagan, Professor Heather Smyth

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Utilization of non-protein fractions of legumes in the food industry

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Bernadine Flanagan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Controlling feed digestion in pigs to remove the need for antimicrobials

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Bernadine Flanagan, Professor Eugeni Roura

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving protein digestion in broiler chicken by application of exogenous enzymes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura, Dr Bernadine Flanagan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Slowing down intestinal passage rate to decrease diarrhoea risk and ZnO dependence in weaned piglets

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Microbiota interactions and functionality in response to nut consumption and in vitro fermentation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Bernadine Flanagan, Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Quinine supplementation in substitution of ZnO in piglet feeds: improvements in performance and mode of action

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Sustainable Precision Feeding in Broiler Chickens in Australia

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Slowing down intestinal passage rate to decrease diarrhoea risk and ZnO dependence in weaned piglets

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura

  • Doctor Philosophy

    How to make antibiotics in pig feed redundant, naturally

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Marta Navarro, Professor Eugeni Roura

Completed supervision

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Professor Mike Gidley's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au