Dr Tim Bean

Research Fellow

Tel: 01316519247 (email first)
Email: tim.bean@roslin.ed.ac.uk

Street: The Roslin Institute
Easter Bush Campus
Midlothian
City
Post code: EH25 9RG

Biography

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)

Teaching & PhD supervision

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

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.

Projects

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.