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Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen
Dr

Deirdre Mikkelsen

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 69642

Overview

Background

United Nations (UN) member states in 2015 agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen's postition as a Teacihng and Research Acacemic contributes towards the following UN SDGs:

GOAL 2 - ZERO HUNGER

GOAL 3 - GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

GOAL 4 - QUALITY EDUCATION

GOAL 12 - RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

GOAL 13 - CLIMATE ACTION

GOAL 15 - LIFE ON LAND

Deirdre is a Microbiologist with experience in molecular microbial ecology techniques, bioinformatics and fermentation microbiology.

Deirdre has a B.Sc with First Class Honours in Microbiology (1999) and PhD in Microbiology (2005) from The University of Queensland (UQ, Australia). She worked at the Advanced Wastewater Management Centre (UQ; 2005), until moving to the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences (CNAFS) in 2006. She worked as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and Research Fellow in CNAFS, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, UQ. Deirdre joined the School of Agriculture and Food Susstainability in 2019 as a Teaching and Research Academic, and is presently a Senior Lecturer in Food Science. She course coordinates and lectures FOOD2000 Food Science, FOOD3017 Food Safety & Quality Management and the work integrated learning course FOOD7021 Professional Experience. Deirdre's research is molecular microbial ecology and biopolymer science-based, aiming to provide a mechanistic understanding of how foods, diets and nutrients influence the host gut microbiota. Deirdre has 75 peer-review publications with an h-index of 26 and 2746 citations.

Deirdre is a Member of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) and sits on the Queensland Branch Committee. She is also a Member of the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM). Deirdre is part of the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFOST) Food Safety Working Committee, in an education-focused role.

Availability

Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Microbiology, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research impacts

Deirdre is a passionate microbiologist, with a strong research background in molecular microbial ecology and biopolymer science (construction and fermentation of “model” dietary fibres). Her research predominantly focuses on how food components are broken down by the host’s gut microbiota, be it in human and/or monogastric animal models, and understanding their role in promoting/maintaining host health.

Specifically, hes has worked on:

i) modelling plant cell walls of cereals and grasses;

ii) investigating the fermentability of cell wall components as potential prebiotics;

iii) developing molecular microbiology techniques to investigate gut microbe-dietary fibre interactions; and

iv) investigating how do plant cell walls/dietary fibres alter the gut microbiota in terms of diversity and relative verses absolute abundances.

Over 80% of Deirdre's publicatons are in the top 25% of journals (Q1 journals) in that subject category.To date, she has 75 peer-review publications, and an h-index of 26, with 2746 citations. Her most exciting achievement was a Nature Communications publication in 2020 with CNAFS and KTH Sweden colleagues.

Works

Search Professor Deirdre Mikkelsen’s works on UQ eSpace

117 works between 2002 and 2024

81 - 100 of 117 works

2013

Journal Article

Lack of release of bound anthocyanins and phenolic acids from carrot plant cell walls and model composites during simulated gastric and small intestinal digestion

Padayachee, Anneline, Netzel, Gabriele, Netzel, Michael, Day, Li, Mikkelsen, Deirdre and Gidley, Michael J. (2013). Lack of release of bound anthocyanins and phenolic acids from carrot plant cell walls and model composites during simulated gastric and small intestinal digestion. Food and Function, 4 (6), 906-916. doi: 10.1039/c3fo60091b

Lack of release of bound anthocyanins and phenolic acids from carrot plant cell walls and model composites during simulated gastric and small intestinal digestion

2013

Conference Publication

Fibre interactions with polyphenols and implications for gut release

Padayachee, A., Netzel, G., Netzel, M., Day, L., Mikkelsen, D. and Gidley, M. J. (2013). Fibre interactions with polyphenols and implications for gut release. NSA NSNZ 2013 Joint Annual Scientific Meeting: 37th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia in conjunction with the Nutrition Society of New Zealand, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 4-6 December, 2013. Perth, WA, Australia: Australasian Medical Journal.

Fibre interactions with polyphenols and implications for gut release

2013

Conference Publication

Plant fibre structural inferences on polyphenol release

Padayachee, Anneline, Netzel, G., Netzel, M., Mikkelsen, D. and Gidley, M. (2013). Plant fibre structural inferences on polyphenol release. Food Structure, Digestion and Health: 2nd International Conference, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 21-24 October, 2013.

Plant fibre structural inferences on polyphenol release

2013

Conference Publication

Black carrot polyphenols and their effect on plant cell wall fermentability

Netzel, G., Mikkelsen, D., Flanagan, B., Netzel, M., Gidley, M. J. and Williams, B. A. (2013). Black carrot polyphenols and their effect on plant cell wall fermentability. NSA NSNZ 2013 Joint Annual Scientific Meeting: 37th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia in conjunction with the Nutrition Society of New Zealand, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 4-6 December, 2013. Perth, WA, Australia: Australasian Medical Journa.

Black carrot polyphenols and their effect on plant cell wall fermentability

2012

Journal Article

Binding of polyphenols to plant cell wall analogues - part 2: phenolic acids

Padayachee, A., Netzel, G., Netzel, M., Day, L., Zabaras, D., Mikkelsen, D. and Gidley, M. J. (2012). Binding of polyphenols to plant cell wall analogues - part 2: phenolic acids. Food Chemistry, 135 (4), 2287-2292. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.07.004

Binding of polyphenols to plant cell wall analogues - part 2: phenolic acids

2012

Journal Article

Binding of polyphenols to plant cell wall analogues - part 1: Anthocyanins

Padayachee, A., Netzel, G., Netzel, M., Day, L., Zabaras, D., Mikkelsen, D. and Gidley, M. (2012). Binding of polyphenols to plant cell wall analogues - part 1: Anthocyanins. Food Chemistry, 134 (1), 155-161. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.02.082

Binding of polyphenols to plant cell wall analogues - part 1: Anthocyanins

2012

Journal Article

Purified 1 ' acetoxychavicol acetate (1 ' ACA) from galangal spice affects membrane fatty acid composition and triggers a cell envelope stress response in Staphylococcus aureus

Weerakkody, Nimsha S., Smith, William M., Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Waanders, Jennifer, Kerven, Graham, Caffin, Nola, Dykes, Gary A. and Turner, Mark S. (2012). Purified 1 ' acetoxychavicol acetate (1 ' ACA) from galangal spice affects membrane fatty acid composition and triggers a cell envelope stress response in Staphylococcus aureus. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 39 (3), 269-271. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2011.11.010

Purified 1 ' acetoxychavicol acetate (1 ' ACA) from galangal spice affects membrane fatty acid composition and triggers a cell envelope stress response in Staphylococcus aureus

2012

Conference Publication

Investigating the relationship between grain fibre fraction molecular structures and in vitro fermentability

Williams, B. A., Walsh, C., Liao, M. L., Pettolino, F., Mikkelsen, D., Gidley, M. J. and Bacic, A. (2012). Investigating the relationship between grain fibre fraction molecular structures and in vitro fermentability. 8th INRA-Rowett Symposium on Gut Microbiology, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 17-20 June 2012.

Investigating the relationship between grain fibre fraction molecular structures and in vitro fermentability

2012

Conference Publication

Bacterial cellulose (BC): a model system to study in vitro fermentability of plant cell wall analogues

Mikkelsen, D., Netzel, G. A., Williams, B. A. and Gidley, M. J. (2012). Bacterial cellulose (BC): a model system to study in vitro fermentability of plant cell wall analogues. 8th INRA-Rowett Symposium on Gut Microbiology, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 17 - 20 June 2012.

Bacterial cellulose (BC): a model system to study in vitro fermentability of plant cell wall analogues

2012

Journal Article

Preparation and in vitro release of zein microparticles loaded with prednisolone for oral delivery

Lau, Esther T. L., Johnson, Stuart K., Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Halley, Peter J. and Steadman, Kathryn J. (2012). Preparation and in vitro release of zein microparticles loaded with prednisolone for oral delivery. Journal of Microencapsulation, 29 (7), 706-712. doi: 10.3109/02652048.2012.686527

Preparation and in vitro release of zein microparticles loaded with prednisolone for oral delivery

2012

Conference Publication

In vitro fermentability of purple carrot phytonutrients and effects on large intestinal microflora

Mikkelsen, D., Netzel, G. A., Williams, B. A. and Gidley, M. J. (2012). In vitro fermentability of purple carrot phytonutrients and effects on large intestinal microflora. 8th INRA-Rowett Symposium on Gut Microbiology, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 17 - 22 June 2012.

In vitro fermentability of purple carrot phytonutrients and effects on large intestinal microflora

2011

Journal Article

In vitro fermentation of bacterial cellulose composites as model dietary fibers

Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Gidley, Michael J. and Williams, Barbara A. (2011). In vitro fermentation of bacterial cellulose composites as model dietary fibers. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59 (8), 4025-4032. doi: 10.1021/jf104855e

In vitro fermentation of bacterial cellulose composites as model dietary fibers

2011

Conference Publication

The plant cell wall: Friend or foe to anthocyanin bioaccessibility?

Padayachee, A., Netzel, G., Netzel, M., Day, L., Mikkelsen, D. and Gidley, M. (2011). The plant cell wall: Friend or foe to anthocyanin bioaccessibility?. Australian Food Science Summer School (1st, AIFST, 2011), St. Lucia, QLD, Australia, 9-11 February 2011.

The plant cell wall: Friend or foe to anthocyanin bioaccessibility?

2011

Book Chapter

Formation of cellulose-based composites with hemicelluloses and pectins using Gluconacetobacter fermentation

Mikkelsen, Deirdre and Gidley, Michael J. (2011). Formation of cellulose-based composites with hemicelluloses and pectins using Gluconacetobacter fermentation. The plant cell wall: methods and protocols. (pp. 197-208) edited by Zoë A. Popper. New York, United States: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-008-9_14

Formation of cellulose-based composites with hemicelluloses and pectins using Gluconacetobacter fermentation

2011

Conference Publication

Characteristics and microstructural changes of fruits and vegetables after human mastication

Hoerudin, Hoerudin, Mikkelsen, Deirdre, D'Arcy, Bruce and Gidley, Mike (2011). Characteristics and microstructural changes of fruits and vegetables after human mastication. 1st Australian Food Science Summer School 2011, St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia, 9-11 February 2011. Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST).

Characteristics and microstructural changes of fruits and vegetables after human mastication

2011

Journal Article

In vitro fermentation kinetics and end-products of cereal arabinoxylans and (1,3;1,4)-beta-glucans by porcine feces

Williams, Barbara A., Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Le Paih, Laure and Gidley, Michael J. (2011). In vitro fermentation kinetics and end-products of cereal arabinoxylans and (1,3;1,4)-beta-glucans by porcine feces. Journal of Cereal Science, 53 (1), 53-58. doi: 10.1016/j.jcs.2010.09.003

In vitro fermentation kinetics and end-products of cereal arabinoxylans and (1,3;1,4)-beta-glucans by porcine feces

2011

Book Chapter

Formation of Cellulose-Based Composites with Hemicelluloses and Pectins Using Gluconacetobacter Fermentation

Mikkelsen, Deirdre and Gidley, Michael J. (2011). Formation of Cellulose-Based Composites with Hemicelluloses and Pectins Using Gluconacetobacter Fermentation. The Plant Cell Wall: Methods and Protocols. (pp. not found-not found) edited by Zoë A. Popper. New Jersey, USA: Humana Press.

Formation of Cellulose-Based Composites with Hemicelluloses and Pectins Using Gluconacetobacter Fermentation

2010

Journal Article

Spontaneous mutation results in lower cellulose production by a Gluconacetobacter xylinus strain from Kombucha

Nguyen, Vu Tuan, Flanagan, Bernadine, Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Ramirez, Santiago, Rivas, Lucia, Gidley, Michael J. and Dykes, Gary A. (2010). Spontaneous mutation results in lower cellulose production by a Gluconacetobacter xylinus strain from Kombucha. Carbohydrate Polymers, 80 (2), 337-343. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2009.11.019

Spontaneous mutation results in lower cellulose production by a Gluconacetobacter xylinus strain from Kombucha

2010

Conference Publication

Interactions between the plant cell wall and black carrot bioactives may affect the bioavailability of these compounds

Padayachee, A., Netzel, G., Netzel, M., Mikkelsen, D., Day, L. and Gidley, M. (2010). Interactions between the plant cell wall and black carrot bioactives may affect the bioavailability of these compounds. 43rd Annual AIFST Convention 2010, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 25-28 July 2010. AIFST.

Interactions between the plant cell wall and black carrot bioactives may affect the bioavailability of these compounds

2010

Conference Publication

Interactions between models of the plant cell wall & black carrot bioactives may affect the bioavailability of these compounds

Padayachee, A., Netzel, G., Netzel, M., Mikkelsen, D., Day, L. and Gidley, M. (2010). Interactions between models of the plant cell wall & black carrot bioactives may affect the bioavailability of these compounds. 15th World Congress of food Science and Technology (IUFoST), Cape Town, South Africa, 22-26 August 2010. IUFoST.

Interactions between models of the plant cell wall & black carrot bioactives may affect the bioavailability of these compounds

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Comprehensive use of whole body computed tomography, microbiome and metabolomics analysis to measure the effects of dietary and exercise interventions on body fat content in dogs
    Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Evaluation of bioprotective bacteria to reduce Campylobacter on raw chicken meat at the end of primary processing (Agrifutures funded project led by QLD DAF)
    Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Sustainable Precision Feeding in Broiler Chickens in Australia
    AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Nutrition, Gut Health and Environment Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Point-of-care microbiome therapy in koalas during antimicrobial treatment for Chlamydia
    Morris Animal Foundation
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Optimising and industrialising black soldier fly (BSF) production: redirecting food waste to livestock feed production using insects
    Fight Food Waste CRC
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Dopamine as a new diagnostic tool for horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and its effect on the equine intestinal microbiota
    Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Nasal microbiota in shelter dogs and carriage of Staphylococcus spp.
    Canine Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Automated in vitro fermentation gas measurement
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2017
    Use of plant derived compounds to condition piglet intake at weaning and reduce post-weaning use of therapeutics
    CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    ResTeach 2010 0.2 FTE School of Land,Crop and Food Sciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au