Dr Tim Bean
Research Fellow
Contact details
- Tel: 01316519247 (email first)
- Email: tim.bean@roslin.ed.ac.uk
Address
- Street
-
The Roslin Institute
Easter Bush Campus
Midlothian - City
- Post code
- EH25 9RG
Background
Background
As an undergraduate, Tim studied biology in the University of Nottingham with an emphasis on molecular plant pathology. This was then followed by a move to Rothamsted Research to study the molecular biology of fungicide resistance in a commercially important disease of wheat. On completion of my PhD it was time for a change and he moved track completely, to work as a government scientist at Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science – the UK government fisheries research agency). His work at Cefas involved field and laboratory studies into the biology and control of diseases in aquaculture through to laboratory studies into mode of action of key chemical contaminants in bivalves, and it was through these channels that he developed a key interest in bivalve biology. Over time, his position at Cefas developed naturally from analytical scientist to a principle investigator developing and managing projects. This included gaining knowledge and experience of the breeding, culture and general biology of UK farmed bivalve species. In addition, he has experience of designing and running largescale disease challenges in controlled systems and working directly with notifiable pathogens in the laboratory.
The time spent working in a government laboratory has instilled the key message that getting evidence to policy makers and industry is crucial for effective decision making and delivering the greatest possible impact.
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Biology, University of Nottingham
PhD, University of Reading (Rothamsted Research)
Open to PhD supervision enquiries?
Yes
Current PhD students supervised
Robert Potts (Roslin Institute - BBSRC EastBio CASE Studentship): Genetic basis of disease resistance in Pacific oysters
Jennifer Nascimento Schulze (Exeter University): Selective breeding of shellfish in a changing world
Hannah Farley (Roslin Institute - BBSRC EastBio CASE Studentship): The role and optimization of the microbiome in molluscan larval development.
Alexandra Florea (Roslin Institute - BBSRC EastBio CASE Studentship): Genome editing for resistance to white spot syndrome virus in whiteleg shrimp
Research summary
The Roslin Institue shellfish team use molecular biology techniques to study bivalve molluscs, including fundamental aspects of bivalve biology, aquaculture, ecotoxicology and genetics which have direct industry and policy relevance.
Project activity
- 2021-2023. Seafood Innovation Fund (SIF RD135). “Non-invasive diagnostics to prevent the spread of shellfish disease and invasive species”. £189,968. Awarded as PI.
- 2021-2024. Qatari National Research Foundation (QNRF MME02-0908-200012). “Development and validation of a multi-species SNP-array to support genetic improvement in Qatar aquaculture". USD $493,805. Awarded as PI.
- 2020-2021. Seafood innovation fund (SIF FS042). "Pre-emptive and non-invasive pathogen diagnostics to prevent the spread of shellfish disease". £54,906. Awarded as PI.
- 2018-2021. BBSRC/NERC “AquaLeap: Innovation in Genetics and Breeding to Advance UK Aquaculture Production.” Awarded as Cefas Co-I. £196,767 of £1.7m
- 2016-2020. QNRF. ”The Pearl Oyster: from national icon to guardian of Qatar's marine environment”. Awarded as Cefas PI. £139,000.
- 2015-2017. BBSRC/NERC “Investigation of Host Genetic Resistance to Oyster Herpes Virus using a High Density SNP Array.” Awarded as Cefas Co-I. £68,495 of £249,323
- 2020-2024. BBSRC DTP. “The role and optimization of the microbiome in molluscan larval development”. Primary supervisor.
- 2018-2022. BBSRC iCASE. “Will selective breeding futureproof shellfish production against global change?” Awarded as Cefas Supervisor.
- 2018-2022. BBSRC iCASE “New breeding technologies to enhance resistance to Oyster Herpes Virus” Awarded as Cefas Supervisor.
-
SNP discovery and genetic structure in blue mussel species using low coverage sequencing and a medium density 60 K SNP-array
(17 pages)
In:
Evolutionary Applications, vol. 16, pp. 1044-1060
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13552
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Chromosome level reference genome for European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis L.)
In:
Evolutionary Applications, vol. 15, pp. 1713-1729
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13460
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Two parallel chromosome-level reference genomes to support restoration and aquaculture of European flat oyster Ostrea edulis: Ostrea edulis genomes commentary
In:
Evolutionary Applications, vol. 15, pp. 1709-1712
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13465
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Genome-wide association and genomic prediction of growth traits in the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis)
In:
Frontiers in genetics, vol. 13
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2022.926638
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Identification and full characterisation of two novel crustacean infecting members of the family Nudiviridae provides support for two subfamilies
In:
Viruses, vol. 13
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/v13091694
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Ancestral physical stress and later immune gene family expansions shaped bivalve mollusc evolution
In:
Genome Biology and Evolution, vol. 13
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evab177
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Genomic Diversity of the Ostreid Herpesvirus Type 1 Across Time and Location and Among Host Species
In:
Frontiers in Microbiology, vol. 12
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.711377
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Potential of genomic technologies to improve disease resistance in molluscan aquaculture
In:
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, vol. 376
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2020.0168
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Optimizing hatchery practices for genetic improvement of marine bivalves
In:
Reviews in Aquaculture
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12568
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Current status and potential of genomic selection to improve selective breeding in the main aquaculture species of International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) member countries
In:
Aquaculture reports
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2021.100700
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print)