Research Visit at Quadram Institute, Norwich, UK: Dr Philippe Sessou

Posted on November 22, 2023   by Microbiology Society

Society Champion, Dr Philippe Sessou visited Quadram Institute in hopes to expand his network and share some new experiences with his colleagues in microbiology. Below, Dr Sessou shares his insights on this opportunity, which led him to learn about modern tools and take part in collaborative projects.

My name is Philippe Sessou; I have a PhD in Food and Industrial Microbiology and I am a lecturer, researcher and Associate Professor at the University of Abomey Calavi, Benin Republic, West Africa. I am also a Microbiology Society Champion. 

From 31 July to 30 September 2023, with support from the Microbiology Society, I took part in a research visit at Quadram Institute, Norwich, UK. 

During my stay, which was full of thrilling and exciting adventures, I was under the supervision of a microbiologist for whom research knows no borders, race or religion, Professor Lindsay Hall. I explored the intestinal microflora of calves in Benin and the UK, with the aim of developing a new generation of probiotics capable of helping us to control the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance. This remains one of the many major challenges facing us today. We hope that the primary results obtained will be interesting and that the financial resources will be available to continue this work, which will enable us to develop new-generation probiotics.  

Beyond research, I took part in several capacity building training events and workshops within the institution, including:  

• ‘Bioinformatics from the command line’, taught by Senior Researcher, Dr Andrea Telatin. 

• ‘Core Bioinformatics, Droplet Digital PCR, and its cutting-edge applications’ organised by experts from Bio-Rad. I was taught about absolute quantification of genetic material in gut microbiome research; gene expression analysis in gut microbiome research; food pathogens diagnostic and reliable quantification and rare event detection. 

I also attended a Young Microbiologists Symposium and coffee-break sessions, where researchers from the institution exhibited their work to delegates.  

I attended other interesting workshops, such as ‘How to sell your ideas in business or research’, organised by the Earlham Institute, UK. This training taught us how to connect with organisations and position ourselves as problem solvers, who can provide solutions and activate opportunities. We also built an understanding of how to work with industry and pitch opportunities to organisations. 

The stay was not limited to laboratory work and scientific training. I also participated in several celebrations, such as the NBI Africa Initiative, where I met PhD students and postdocs studying and researching at Norwich Bioscience Institute, UK. I also attended a quiz night at Norwich Research Park – where the knowledge of researchers was tested on a plethora of general, cultural and scientific questions. 

This trip was made possible thanks to the sustained financial support of the Microbiology Society. I would like to thank Professor Lindsay Hall; the Director of the Quadram Institute; all the staff at the Microbiology Society and Quadram Institute, in particular Alison Quinn, Ffion Lane and Antia Acuna-Gonzalez, as well as Professor Dirk Werling, from the University of London, UK, for their ongoing support and unfailing collaboration. The authorities of my country, in particular the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Eleonore Yayi, are thanked for authorising the mission and for the diligence shown. Long live the Microbiology Society for a better world!