Institute of Life Science 1 internal Atrium view up

Dr Rowena Jenkins

Research Officer

Mechanical Engineering

r.e.jenkins@swansea.ac.uk

Basic Welsh Speaker

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6664-6099

About

Dr Rowena Jenkins is a lecturer within the Microbiology and Infectious Diseases group at Swansea University Medical School. Training in Microbiology before specialising in molecular microbiology and lecturing in Biomedical Sciences.

Research interests focus on antibiotic resistance, and innovative antimicrobial treatments as well as looking at their potential role in chronic infections such as cystic fibrosis and wound infections.

Rowena is a principal investigator on a number of grants looking at the potential for manuka honey to be used in clinic to alleviate respiratory infection - collaborating with partners in the NHS and industry.

Dr Jenkins is the Editor for the Microbiology Society publication ‘Microbiology Today’, a member of their communications committee, and the secretary for the South Wales branch of the Royal Society of Biology.

Areas Of Expertise

Microbiology
Biofilm
Chronic infection
Novel Antimicrobial agents
Virulence

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

Rowena contributes to a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules covering topics such as; microbiology, key research skills and microbial genetics.  She hosts a range of project students in the lab, including Erasmus students; Undergraduates, Masters by research students and PhD students.

Publications

Research Highlights

Brown, H., Metters, G., Hitchings, M., Wilkinson, T., Sousa, L., Cooper, J., Dance, H., Atterbury, R., & Jenkins, R. (2020). Antibacterial and anti-virulence activity of manuka honey against genetically diverse Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 86(e01768-20)
https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.01768-20, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54999
Powell, L., Roberts, A., Powell, L., Pritchard, M., Thomas, D., & Jenkins, R. (2019). Anti-pseudomonad Activity of Manuka Honey and Antibiotics in a Specialized ex vivo Model Simulating Cystic Fibrosis Lung Infection. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.00869, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50103
Alangari, A., Morris, K., Lwaleed, B., Lau, L., Jones, K., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2017). Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and mechanistic studies. Immunity, Inflammation and Disease, 5(2), 190-199.
https://doi.org/10.1002/iid3.153, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37409
Jenkins, R., Burton, N., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2014). Proteomic and genomic analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) exposed to manuka honey in vitro demonstrated down-regulation of virulence markers. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 69(3), 603-615.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkt430, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37311
Hillitt, K., Jenkins, R., Spiller, O., Beeton, M., & Jenkins, R. (2017). Antimicrobial activity of Manuka honey against antibiotic-resistant strains of the cell wall-free bacteriaUreaplasma parvumandUreaplasma urealyticum. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 64(3), 198-202.
https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.12707, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37977
Henriques, A., Jenkins, R., Burton, N., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2010). The intracellular effects of manuka honey on Staphylococcus aureus. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 29(1), 45-50.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-009-0817-2, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37987
Henriques, A., Jenkins, R., Burton, N., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2011). The effect of manuka honey on the structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 30(2), 167-171.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-010-1065-1, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37986
Jenkins, R., Burton, N., & Cooper, R. (2011). Effect of manuka honey on the expression of universal stress protein A in meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 37(4), 373-376.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2010.11.036, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37985
Jenkins, R., Burton, N., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2011). Manuka honey inhibits cell division in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 66(11), 2536-2542.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkr340, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37984
Jenkins, R. & Cooper, R. (2012). Improving Antibiotic Activity against Wound Pathogens with Manuka Honey In Vitro. PLoS ONE, 7(9), e45600
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0045600, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37983
Jenkins, R., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2012). Synergy between oxacillin and manuka honey sensitizes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to oxacillin. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 67(6), 1405-1407.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dks071, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37982
Cooper, R. & Jenkins, R. (2012). Are there feasible prospects for manuka honey as an alternative to conventional antimicrobials?. Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 10(6), 623-625.
https://doi.org/10.1586/eri.12.46, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37981
Jenkins, R., Wootton, M., Howe, R., & Cooper, R. (2012). Susceptibility to manuka honey of Staphylococcus aureus with varying sensitivities to vancomycin. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 40(1), 88-89.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2012.03.014, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37980
Maddocks, S. & Jenkins, R. (2013). Honey: a sweet solution to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance?. Future Microbiology, 8(11), 1419-1429.
https://doi.org/10.2217/fmb.13.105, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37979
Maddocks, S., Jenkins, R., Rowlands, R., Purdy, K., & Cooper, R. (2013). Manuka honey inhibits adhesion and invasion of medically important wound bacteriain vitro. Future Microbiology, 8(12), 1523-1536.
https://doi.org/10.2217/fmb.13.126, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37978
Jenkins, R., Wootton, M., Howe, R., & Cooper, R. (2015). A demonstration of the susceptibility of clinical isolates obtained from cystic fibrosis patients to manuka honey. Archives of Microbiology, 197(4), 597-601.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-015-1091-6, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37312
Evans, S., Roberts, A., Morris, A., Simpson, A., Harris, L., Mack, D., Jenkins, R., & Wilkinson, T. (2020). Contrasting effects of linezolid on healthy and dysfunctional human neutrophils: reducing C5a-induced injury. Scientific Reports, 10(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72454-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55318
Bodger, O., Roberts, A., Xanthe, C., Hopkins, A., Bodger, O., Lewis, P., Mahenthiralingam, E., Duckers, J., & Jenkins, R. (2022). A pilot study investigating the effects of a manuka honey sinus rinse compared to a standard sinus rinse on sino-nasal outcome test scores in cystic fibrosis patients. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 8(1), 216
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-022-01175-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61350
Brown, S., Evans, S., Burgum, M., Meldrum, K., Herridge, J., Akinbola, B., Harris, L., Jenkins, R., Doak, S., Clift, M., & Wilkinson, T. (2024). An In Vitro Model to Assess Early Immune Markers Following Co-Exposure of Epithelial Cells to Carbon Black (Nano)Particles in the Presence of S. aureus: A Role for Stressed Cells in Toxicological Testing. Biomedicines, 12(1), 128
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12010128, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65427
Hilliard, G., Wilkinson, T., Harris, L., Jenkins, R., & Shornick, L. (2024). PCL-gelatin honey scaffolds promote Staphylococcus aureus agrA expression in biofilms with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Frontiers in Microbiology, 15
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1440658, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67500

All Research

Journal Articles

Hilliard, G., Wilkinson, T., Harris, L., Jenkins, R., & Shornick, L. (2024). PCL-gelatin honey scaffolds promote Staphylococcus aureus agrA expression in biofilms with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Frontiers in Microbiology, 15
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1440658, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67500
Brown, S., Evans, S., Burgum, M., Meldrum, K., Herridge, J., Akinbola, B., Harris, L., Jenkins, R., Doak, S., Clift, M., & Wilkinson, T. (2024). An In Vitro Model to Assess Early Immune Markers Following Co-Exposure of Epithelial Cells to Carbon Black (Nano)Particles in the Presence of S. aureus: A Role for Stressed Cells in Toxicological Testing. Biomedicines, 12(1), 128
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12010128, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65427
Bodger, O., Roberts, A., Xanthe, C., Hopkins, A., Bodger, O., Lewis, P., Mahenthiralingam, E., Duckers, J., & Jenkins, R. (2022). A pilot study investigating the effects of a manuka honey sinus rinse compared to a standard sinus rinse on sino-nasal outcome test scores in cystic fibrosis patients. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 8(1), 216
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-022-01175-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61350
Evans, S., Roberts, A., Morris, A., Simpson, A., Harris, L., Mack, D., Jenkins, R., & Wilkinson, T. (2020). Contrasting effects of linezolid on healthy and dysfunctional human neutrophils: reducing C5a-induced injury. Scientific Reports, 10(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72454-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55318
Brown, H., Metters, G., Hitchings, M., Wilkinson, T., Sousa, L., Cooper, J., Dance, H., Atterbury, R., & Jenkins, R. (2020). Antibacterial and anti-virulence activity of manuka honey against genetically diverse Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 86(e01768-20)
https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.01768-20, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54999
Powell, L., Roberts, A., Powell, L., Pritchard, M., Thomas, D., & Jenkins, R. (2019). Anti-pseudomonad Activity of Manuka Honey and Antibiotics in a Specialized ex vivo Model Simulating Cystic Fibrosis Lung Infection. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.00869, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50103
Alangari, A., Morris, K., Lwaleed, B., Lau, L., Jones, K., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2017). Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and mechanistic studies. Immunity, Inflammation and Disease, 5(2), 190-199.
https://doi.org/10.1002/iid3.153, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37409
Hillitt, K., Jenkins, R., Spiller, O., Beeton, M., & Jenkins, R. (2017). Antimicrobial activity of Manuka honey against antibiotic-resistant strains of the cell wall-free bacteriaUreaplasma parvumandUreaplasma urealyticum. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 64(3), 198-202.
https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.12707, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37977
Jenkins, R., Wootton, M., Howe, R., & Cooper, R. (2015). A demonstration of the susceptibility of clinical isolates obtained from cystic fibrosis patients to manuka honey. Archives of Microbiology, 197(4), 597-601.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-015-1091-6, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37312
Jenkins, R., Burton, N., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2014). Proteomic and genomic analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) exposed to manuka honey in vitro demonstrated down-regulation of virulence markers. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 69(3), 603-615.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkt430, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37311
Maddocks, S., Jenkins, R., Rowlands, R., Purdy, K., & Cooper, R. (2013). Manuka honey inhibits adhesion and invasion of medically important wound bacteriain vitro. Future Microbiology, 8(12), 1523-1536.
https://doi.org/10.2217/fmb.13.126, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37978
Maddocks, S. & Jenkins, R. (2013). Honey: a sweet solution to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance?. Future Microbiology, 8(11), 1419-1429.
https://doi.org/10.2217/fmb.13.105, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37979
Jenkins, R. & Cooper, R. (2012). Improving Antibiotic Activity against Wound Pathogens with Manuka Honey In Vitro. PLoS ONE, 7(9), e45600
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0045600, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37983
Jenkins, R., Wootton, M., Howe, R., & Cooper, R. (2012). Susceptibility to manuka honey of Staphylococcus aureus with varying sensitivities to vancomycin. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 40(1), 88-89.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2012.03.014, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37980
Jenkins, R., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2012). Synergy between oxacillin and manuka honey sensitizes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to oxacillin. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 67(6), 1405-1407.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dks071, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37982
Cooper, R. & Jenkins, R. (2012). Are there feasible prospects for manuka honey as an alternative to conventional antimicrobials?. Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 10(6), 623-625.
https://doi.org/10.1586/eri.12.46, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37981
Jenkins, R., Burton, N., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2011). Manuka honey inhibits cell division in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 66(11), 2536-2542.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkr340, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37984
Jenkins, R., Burton, N., & Cooper, R. (2011). Effect of manuka honey on the expression of universal stress protein A in meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 37(4), 373-376.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2010.11.036, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37985
Henriques, A., Jenkins, R., Burton, N., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2011). The effect of manuka honey on the structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 30(2), 167-171.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-010-1065-1, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37986
Henriques, A., Jenkins, R., Burton, N., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2010). The intracellular effects of manuka honey on Staphylococcus aureus. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 29(1), 45-50.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-009-0817-2, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37987

Supervision

Identifying Host and Bacterial Biomarkers to Predict Sepsis (awarded 2024)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Llinos Harris

Other supervisor: Prof Thomas Wilkinson

Taught Modules

PM-004 Fundamentals of Microbiology & Disease

This module will provide the student with an overview of the fundamentals of microbiology, its causative role in human disease and the intervention of antimicrobials and antibiotics. The role of immunity and its role in human defence against disease will also be introduced in this module, and how this may be modulated in response to pathogens. Lectures will be accompanied by a practical session in microbiological techniques and an essay with academic support. Mae'r modiwl yma yn rhoi trosolwg i fyfyrwyr o hanfodion mewn microbioleg, ei rôl achosol mewn afiechydon dynol ac ymyrraeth gwrthficrobaidd a gwrthfiotig. Caiff rôl imiwnedd a'i rôl mewn amddiffyn dyn yn erbyn afiechydon, a sut mae'n addasu mewn ymateb i bathogenau ei gyflwyno hefyd yn y modiwl yma. Caiff y darlithoedd eu cyfeilio gan sesiynau ymarferol mewn technegau microbiolegol a traethawd efo cefnogaeth academaidd.
PM-130 Fundamental Research Skills

This module is designed to develop the skills required for students of biochemistry and genetics degree programmes. Students meet with their tutors and will be given a series of assignments designed to develop skills in key areas such as essay writing, presentations and general numeracy.
PM-280 Skills for Researchers

The modern scientist graduate is expected to have gained extensive laboratory-based experience and this is certainly essential for any student intent on pursuing a research-based career. Skills for Researchers provides students with the opportunity to acquire the core skills to be able to conduct, analyse, interpret and present scientific experiments. A proportion of the module will be spent in the laboratory gaining hands-on experience. Skills acquired in this module will form the basis for future experimental work, including the final year project. Students will have the opportunity to provide feedback to peers and engage with a variety of online learning materials.
PM-401 Science Communication

This module will encompass a range of communication modes, from presentation of science to the general public to critically analysing a scientific paper. The module will be run as a series of online seminars to prepare, firstly, for a short 3 minute thesis-like presentations to both a professional and non-professional audience. This will be complemented by preparation of short, New Scientist-style articles by each student on the topic of their presentation. Students will be assigned a topic that is appropriate to their degree title. In the latter half of the module, the focus will be on skills-training for writing a scientific paper, preparing the ground for their project dissertations.
PMNM20J Science Communication

This module will encompass a range of communication modes, from presentation of science to the general public to critically analysing a scientific paper. The module will be run as a series of online seminars to prepare, firstly, for a short 3 minute thesis-like presentations to both a professional and non-professional audience. This will be complemented by preparation of short, New Scientist-style articles by each student on the topic of their presentation. Students will be assigned a topic that is appropriate to their degree title. In the latter half of the module, the focus will be on skills-training for writing a scientific paper, preparing the ground for their project dissertations.

Key Grants and Projects

Manuka honey as a treatment for chronic cystic fibrosis infection 2020 - 2022

, £125,292
The role of Manuka honey in the Management of Cystic Fibrosis 2018 - 2021

, £302,000

Career History

Lecturer of Microbiology and Infectious Disease , Swansea University

2017 - Present
Lecturer of Microbiology , Cardiff Metropolitan University

2013 - 2017

Affiliated Positions

Editor Microbiology Today , Microbiology Society

2017 - 2022

Invited Presentations, Lectures and Conferences

Antibacterial activity of manuka honey

November 2019

Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic
Natural product antimicrobials: source and mechanisms

October 2019

Ashmolean Museum in Oxford
The medicinal potential of honey

September 2019

Bristol Botanic Gardens
Antibacterial effect of manuka honey - Clinical potential

April 2019

British Bee Veterinary Association, BSAVA Satellite Meeting

Dr Rowena Jenkins

Email address

Welsh language proficiency

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Career Highlights

Research Highlights

All Research

Identifying Host and Bacterial Biomarkers to Predict Sepsis (awarded 2024)

PM-004 Fundamentals of Microbiology & Disease

PM-130 Fundamental Research Skills

PM-280 Skills for Researchers

PM-401 Science Communication

PMNM20J Science Communication

Manuka honey as a treatment for chronic cystic fibrosis infection 2020 - 2022

The role of Manuka honey in the Management of Cystic Fibrosis 2018 - 2021

Lecturer of Microbiology and Infectious Disease , Swansea University

Lecturer of Microbiology , Cardiff Metropolitan University

Editor Microbiology Today , Microbiology Society

Antibacterial activity of manuka honey

Natural product antimicrobials: source and mechanisms

The medicinal potential of honey

Antibacterial effect of manuka honey - Clinical potential