
Dr Jai Mehat
Academic and research departments
School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.Biography
Jai graduated from the University of Surrey in 2011 and enjoyed it enough to return to complete his MSc in Medical Microbiology (Research) [2012-2013] and PhD in Microbiology [2017].
After a brief spell as a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant at the University of Reading [2016-2017], Jai returned to Surrey yet again where he currently works as a Research Fellow in Molecular Microbiology in the new School of Veterinary Medicine.
Areas of specialism
University roles and responsibilities
- ECR Representative for Vet School
Research
Research interests
Jai is a member of the La Ragione Bacteriology Group whose research is focused on understanding the detailed mechanisms that bacterial pathogens of veterinary and medical importance employ in order to colonise the host. Through a greater understanding of the pathobiology of these economically important pathogens the group hopes to develop novel intervention strategies. Jai’s particular interest is in Host/Pathogen interactions of zoonotic agents such as Campylobacter and E. coli with an emphasis on vaccine development for use in livestock.
Campylobacter is a common cause of diarrhoeal illness in the developed world, with EFSA estimating an annual incidence of up to 20 million cases of campylobacteriosis in the EU. Jai’s PhD research identified and characterised novel virulence factors in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli, thereby providing insights into disease causing mechanisms of these enigmatic pathogens.
Currently, Jai’s research is centred on a collaborative project with the University of Reading and industrial partners aiming to combat avian colibacillosis, a range of syndromes in poultry caused the bacteria Escherichia coli. Colibacillosis is a common disease that is seen worldwide and is of significant economic importance concerning the loss of livestock. Jai’s aim is to develop novel vaccines against avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) using a combination of genomic and molecular biology approaches.
Jai also has a strong interest in using synthetic biology and molecular biology techniques in order to engineer improved vaccines, probiotics and other alternatives to antibiotics.