Overview
Background
Brian Forde is a fellow in microbial bioinformatics and Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow at the University of Queensland (UQ) Centre for Clinical Research (CCR). Brian was awarded a PhD from University College Cork, Ireland, in 2013 and developed his interest in bacterial genomics as a postdoctoral fellow at the UQ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences (SCMB). Currently, his work is primarily focused on clinical microbial genomics, including: the evolution of antibiotic resistance, genomic epidemiology, genomic surveillance of Infectious Diseases and translating genomic research into clinical practice. Since 2017 he has been part of a multidisciplinary team, including researchers, infectious diseases clinicians and infection control professionals, leading the introduction of WGS to investigate hospital-acquired infection in Queensland (https://www.queenslandgenomics.org). In 2020, Brian was awarded Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship to explore the application of Artificial Intelligence to genomic surveillance and transmission dynamics.
Availability
- Dr Brian Forde is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University College Cork
- Doctor of Philosophy, National University of Ireland
Research impacts
Since 2010 Brian has co-authored 52 journal articles, with 13 as first, co-first or senior author. His has been cited 1430 times, resulting in a h-index of 19 and an i10-index of 25 (Google Scholar 28/10/2020). Brians work is regularly published in leading specialist microbiology or infectious disease journals including MBio, AAC and JAC and have also featured in high impact journals such as Nat Comm, Nat Micro, PNAS, CID and CMR. Recent work include a longitudinal study describing a unique comprehensive genomic analysis of a clonal lineage within a single individual over a 5-year period (Forde et al. Nat Comm, 2019). This work provided the framework for the utilization of genomics to help manage and treat patients suffering from debilitating chronic infections.
As part of Queensland Genomics Brian has led and assisted in projects that apply genomics to characterise and resolve infectious outbreaks in clinical settings (Chapman & Forde et al. JCM, 2020; Roberts et al. Nat Comm, 2020; Roberts et al. bioRxiv, 2018). In his current role as lead Bioinformatician for the Queensland Genomics (QG) infectious diseases (ID) project, Brian has developed pipelines for surveillance of priority bacterial pathogens. These tools, which included the development of an outbreak detection and visualisation tool, CATHAI (https:cathai.beatsonlab.com), are used by infection control professional in large Brisbane metropolitan hospitals.
Works
Search Professor Brian Forde’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Journal Article
Molecular Epidemiology of Clinical and Colonizing Methicillin-Resistant Isolates in Companion Animals
Rynhoud, Hester, Forde, Brian M., Beatson, Scott A., Abraham, Sam, Meler, Erika, Soares Magalhães, Ricardo J. and Gibson, Justine S. (2021). Molecular Epidemiology of Clinical and Colonizing Methicillin-Resistant Isolates in Companion Animals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8 620491, 620491. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.620491
2021
Journal Article
Genomic surveillance, characterization and intervention of a polymicrobial multidrug-resistant outbreak in critical care
Roberts, Leah W., Forde, Brian M., Hurst, Trish, Ling, Weiping, Nimmo, Graeme R., Bergh, Haakon, George, Narelle, Hajkowicz, Krispin, McNamara, John F., Lipman, Jeffrey, Permana, Budi, Schembri, Mark A., Paterson, David, Beatson, Scott A. and Harris, Patrick N. A. (2021). Genomic surveillance, characterization and intervention of a polymicrobial multidrug-resistant outbreak in critical care. Microbial Genomics, 7 (3) 000530. doi: 10.1099/mgen.0.000530
2021
Journal Article
Cost-effectiveness analysis of whole-genome sequencing during an outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Elliott, Thomas M., Harris, Patrick N., Roberts, Leah W., Doidge, Michelle, Hurst, Trish, Hajkowicz, Krispin, Forde, Brian, Paterson, David L. and Gordon, Louisa G. (2021). Cost-effectiveness analysis of whole-genome sequencing during an outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Antimicrobial Stewardship and Healthcare Epidemiology, 1 (1) e62, e62. doi: 10.1017/ash.2021.233
2021
Journal Article
Strengths and caveats of identifying resistance genes from whole genome sequencing data
Forde, Brian M., De Oliveira, David M. P., Falconer, Caitlin, Graves, Bianca and Harris, Patrick N. A. (2021). Strengths and caveats of identifying resistance genes from whole genome sequencing data. Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, 20 (4), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/14787210.2022.2013806
2020
Journal Article
Budget impact analysis of routinely using whole-genomic sequencing of six multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens in Queensland, Australia
Gordon, Louisa G., Elliott, Thomas M., Forde, Brian, Mitchell, Brett, Russo, Philip L., Paterson, David L. and Harris, Patrick N. A. (2020). Budget impact analysis of routinely using whole-genomic sequencing of six multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens in Queensland, Australia. BMJ Open, 11 (2) e041968, e041968. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041968
2020
Journal Article
Repurposing a neurodegenerative disease drug to treat Gram-negative antibiotic-resistant bacterial sepsis
De Oliveira, David M. P., Bohlmann, Lisa, Conroy, Trent, Jen, Freda E.-C., Everest-Dass, Arun, Hansford, Karl A., Bolisetti, Raghu, El-Deeb, Ibrahim M., Forde, Brian M., Phan, Minh-Duy, Lacey, Jake A., Tan, Aimee, Rivera-Hernandez, Tania, Brouwer, Stephan, Keller, Nadia, Kidd, Timothy J., Cork, Amanda J., Bauer, Michelle J., Cook, Gregory M., Davies, Mark R., Beatson, Scott A., Paterson, David L., McEwan, Alastair G., Li, Jian, Schembri, Mark A., Blaskovich, Mark A. T., Jennings, Michael P., McDevitt, Christopher A., von Itzstein, Mark and Walker, Mark J. (2020). Repurposing a neurodegenerative disease drug to treat Gram-negative antibiotic-resistant bacterial sepsis. Science Translational Medicine, 12 (570) abb3791, eabb3791. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abb3791
2020
Journal Article
Outbreak of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Shigella flexneri in northern Australia due to an endemic regional clone acquiring an IncFII plasmid
Guglielmino, Christine J. D., Kakkanat, Asha, Forde, Brian M., Rubenach, Sally, Merone, Lea, Stafford, Russell, Graham, Rikki M. A., Beatson, Scott A. and Jennison, Amy V. (2020). Outbreak of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Shigella flexneri in northern Australia due to an endemic regional clone acquiring an IncFII plasmid. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 40 (2), 279-286. doi: 10.1007/s10096-020-04029-w
2020
Journal Article
Comprehensive analysis of IncC plasmid conjugation identifies a crucial role for the transcriptional regulator AcaB
Hancock, Steven J., Phan, Minh-Duy, Luo, Zhenyao, Lo, Alvin W., Peters, Kate M., Nhu, Nguyen Thi Khanh, Forde, Brian M., Whitfield, Jason, Yang, Ji, Strugnell, Richard A., Paterson, David L., Walsh, Timothy R., Kobe, Bostjan, Beatson, Scott A. and Schembri, Mark A. (2020). Comprehensive analysis of IncC plasmid conjugation identifies a crucial role for the transcriptional regulator AcaB. Nature Microbiology, 5 (11), 1340-1348. doi: 10.1038/s41564-020-0775-0
2020
Journal Article
Fatal respiratory diphtheria caused by ß-lactam–resistant corynebacterium diphtheriae
Forde, Brian M., Henderson, Andrew, Playford, Elliott G., Looke, David, Henderson, Belinda C., Watson, Catherine, Steen, Jason A., Sidjabat, Hanna E., Laurie, Gordon, Muttaiyah, Sharmini, Nimmo, Graeme R., Lampe, Guy, Smith, Helen, Jennison, Amy V., McCall, Brad, Carroll, Heidi, Cooper, Matthew A., Paterson, David L. and Beatson, Scott A. (2020). Fatal respiratory diphtheria caused by ß-lactam–resistant corynebacterium diphtheriae. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 73 (11), e4531-e4538. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1147
2020
Conference Publication
Involvement of a truncated MADS-box transcription factor ZmTMM1 in root nitrate foraging
Liu, Ying, Jia, Zhongtao, Li, Xuelian, Wang, Zhangkui, Chen, Fanjun, Mi, Guohua, Forde, Brian, Takahashi, Hideki and Yuan, Lixing (2020). Involvement of a truncated MADS-box transcription factor ZmTMM1 in root nitrate foraging. 4th International Symposium on the Nitrogen Nutrition of Plants, Nanjing, China, 21-25 September 2019. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/jxb/eraa116
2020
Journal Article
Antimicrobial resistance in ESKAPE pathogens
De Oliveira, David M. P., Forde, Brian M., Kidd, Timothy J., Harris, Patrick N. A., Schembri, Mark A., Beatson, Scott A., Paterson, David L. and Walker, Mark J. (2020). Antimicrobial resistance in ESKAPE pathogens. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 33 (3) e00181-19, e00181-19. doi: 10.1128/cmr.00181-19
2020
Other Outputs
Strain and lineage-level methylome heterogeneity in the multi-drug resistant pathogenic Escherichia coli ST101 clone
Ashcroft, Melinda M., Forde, Brian M., Phan, Minh-Duy, Peters, Kate M., Roberts, Leah W., Chan, Kok-Gan, Chong, Teik Min, Yin, Wai-Fong, Paterson, David L., Walsh, Timothy R., Schembri, Mark A. and Beatson, Scott A. (2020). Strain and lineage-level methylome heterogeneity in the multi-drug resistant pathogenic Escherichia coli ST101 clone. doi: 10.1101/2020.06.07.138552
2020
Other Outputs
Genomic characterisation and context of the blaNDM-1 carbapenemase in Escherichia coli ST101
Ashcroft, Melinda M., Forde, Brian M., Phan, Minh-Duy, Peters, Kate M., Henderson, Andrew, Hancock, Steven J., Roberts, Leah W., White, Rhys T., Chan, Kok-Gan, Chong, Teik Min, Yin, Wai-Fong, Paterson, David L., Walsh, Timothy R., Schembri, Mark A. and Beatson, Scott A. (2020). Genomic characterisation and context of the blaNDM-1 carbapenemase in Escherichia coli ST101. doi: 10.1101/860726
2020
Journal Article
Genomic investigation reveals contaminated detergent as the source of an Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-producing Klebsiella michiganensis outbreak in a neonatal unit
Chapman, Paul, Forde, Brian M., Roberts, Leah W., Bergh, Haakon, Vesey, Debra, Jennison, Amy V., Moss, Susan, Paterson, David L., Beatson, Scott A. and Harris, Patrick N. A. (2020). Genomic investigation reveals contaminated detergent as the source of an Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-producing Klebsiella michiganensis outbreak in a neonatal unit. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 58 (5) e01980. doi: 10.1128/jcm.01980-19
2020
Journal Article
Phase variation in latB associated with a fatal Pasteurella multocida outbreak in captive squirrel gliders
Omaleki, Lida, Beatson, Scott A., Thomrongsuwannakij, Thotsapol, Blackall, Patrick J., Buller, Nicky B., Hair, Sam D., Vitali, Simone D., Wallace, Alisa M., Turni, Conny and Forde, Brian M. (2020). Phase variation in latB associated with a fatal Pasteurella multocida outbreak in captive squirrel gliders. Veterinary Microbiology, 243 108612, 108612. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108612
2020
Conference Publication
Predicting nitroimidazole antibiotic resistance mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis with protein engineering
Lee, Brendon, Almeida, Deepak, Afriat-Jurnou, Livnat, Aung, Htin, Forde, Brian, Harold, Liam, Hards, Kiel, Pidot, Sacha, Ahmed, Hafna, Mohamed, Elaaf, Taylor, Mathew, West, Nicholas, Stinear, Timothy, Greening, Chris, Beatson, Scott, Cook, Gregory, Nuermberger, Eric and Jackson, Colin (2020). Predicting nitroimidazole antibiotic resistance mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis with protein engineering. Annual Meeting on Experimental Biology, San Diego, CA, United States, 4-7 April 2020. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.04923
2020
Journal Article
Using genomics to understand inter- and intra- outbreak diversity of Pasteurella multocida isolates associated with fowl cholera in meat chickens
Omaleki, Lida, Blackall, Patrick J., Cuddihy, Thom, Beatson, Scott A., Forde, Brian M. and Turni, Conny (2020). Using genomics to understand inter- and intra- outbreak diversity of Pasteurella multocida isolates associated with fowl cholera in meat chickens. Microbial Genomics, 6 (3) 000346, 1-8. doi: 10.1099/mgen.0.000346
2020
Journal Article
Predicting nitroimidazole antibiotic resistance mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis with protein engineering
Lee, Brendon M., Harold, Liam K., Almeida, Deepak V., Afriat-Jurnou, Livnat, Aung, Htin Lin, Forde, Brian M., Hards, Kiel, Pidot, Sacha J., Ahmed, F. Hafna, Mohamed, A. Elaaf, Taylor, Matthew C., West, Nicholas P., Stinear, Timothy P., Greening, Chris, Beatson, Scott A., Nuermberger, Eric L., Cook, Gregory M. and Jackson, Colin J. (2020). Predicting nitroimidazole antibiotic resistance mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis with protein engineering. PLoS Pathogens, 16 (2) e1008287, e1008287. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008287
2020
Journal Article
Integrating multiple genomic technologies to investigate an outbreak of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter hormaechei
Roberts, Leah W., Harris, Patrick N. A., Forde, Brian M., Ben Zakour, Nouri L., Catchpoole, Elizabeth, Stanton-Cook, Mitchell, Phan, Minh-Duy, Sidjabat, Hanna E., Bergh, Haakon, Heney, Claire, Gawthorne, Jayde A., Lipman, Jeffrey, Allworth, Anthony, Chan, Kok-Gan, Chong, Teik Min, Yin, Wai-Fong, Schembri, Mark A., Paterson, David L. and Beatson, Scott A. (2020). Integrating multiple genomic technologies to investigate an outbreak of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter hormaechei. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 466, 466. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-14139-5
2019
Journal Article
Complex multilevel control of hemolysin production by uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Nhu, Nguyen Thi Khanh, Phan, Minh-Duy, Forde, Brian M., Murthy, Ambika M. V., Peters, Kate M., Day, Christopher J., Poole, Jessica, Kidd, Timothy J., Welch, Rodney A., Jennings, Michael P., Ulett, Glen C., Sweet, Matthew J., Beatson, Scott A. and Schembri, Mark A. (2019). Complex multilevel control of hemolysin production by uropathogenic Escherichia coli. mBio, 10 (5) e02248-19. doi: 10.1128/mbio.02248-19
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Brian Forde is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic and molecular characterisation of antibiotic resistance mechanisms
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Schembri
-
Doctor Philosophy
Malaria and Infections Diseases in military personnel in the Asia Pacific Region
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic approaches to the surveillance and control of multidrug resistant Enterobacterales.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Patrick Harris
-
Doctor Philosophy
New diagnostic strategies for antibiotic-resistant infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adam Irwin, Dr Patrick Harris
-
Doctor Philosophy
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Identifying Novel Vaccine and Drug Targets of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Emily Strong, Professor Nick West
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Treatment Strategies for Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC-producing Enterobacterales
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Patrick Harris, Mr Mark Chatfield
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Comparative Genomics of Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Scott Beatson
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
New approaches in visualising genomic data for surveillance and control of drug-resistant bacteria in healthcare settings
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Scott Beatson
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Factors that influence Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance and transmission in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Scott Beatson, Associate Professor David Whiley
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Evolution and function of mobile genetic elements and DNA methyltransferases in extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Scott Beatson
Media
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