Career Profile - Nikki Harcourt
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AWIS member Nikki
Harcourt is attempting to find scientific answers to explain the therapeutic
properties of the delicious sandwich spread—honey !
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Honey has been used in traditional medicine for about two millennia but
in recent times it has been rediscovered as a wound healing agent.
The resurgence of honey as a therapeutic agent has stemmed from research
performed at the Honey Research Unit at Waikato University (www.honey.bio.waikato.ac.nz)
initiated by Associate-Professor Peter Molan.
The Honey Research Unit has shown that honey is an antibacterial
agent. In particular, the Waikato group have focussed on a special
quality of NZ Manuka honey, called UMFTM (Unique Manuka factor). The
factor, found only in Manuka honey, is an antibacterial activity in addition
to the H2O2 present in all honey types. UMFTM is applied as a rating
system to Manuka honey, similar to the SPF factor in sunscreen. A batch
of honey with better bacteria-killing activity will have a higher UMFTM grade.
As well as having bactericidal properties, anecdotal evidence suggests
honey may also have beneficial effects on chronic inflammation sometimes
seen at the site of ulcers and wounds. I am interested in taking these
observations further, by considering the potential ability of honey to reduce
the aggressive inflammatory response commonly seen in these types of chronic
infection.
The human body has an incredible capacity for self-defense against
pathogens through a highly co-ordinated immune system. The redness
and swelling we see at the site of a surface injury, such as a scratch or
graze, is just a hint of the complex cellular and biochemical interactions
taking place below the skin. A diverse array of specialised cells and
immune mediators are working together in a combined effort to heal the wound
and eliminate any foreign organisms that may have entered the body.
However, in some cases the immune response over-reacts, and the inflammatory
response becomes detrimental to healing, for example causing a chronic weeping
ulcer.
I am currently working towards a Ph.D through the University of
Waikato and AgResearch Ruakura. The aim of my project is to determine
whether honey has the ability to influence components of the inflammatory
response. My research is focusing on the action of honey on specialised
white blood cells, known as lymphocytes (important immune cells that gather
at the site of inflammation), and on the biochemical signalling that coordinates
the inflammatory response.
In terms of potential use of this research, the ultimate goal of
the Honey Research Unit is to provide a scientific basis for the sale of
honey as a medicine. It is exciting being involved in honey research,
and public interest continues to grow resulting in many invitations to speak
and lots of financial backing. Unfortunately, the medical community
still appears to be sceptical due to the current lack of scientific research
to support the anecdotal evidence. One of the aims of the Honey Research
Unit is to address this attitude through high quality research, publications
and seminars.
Although I have achieved some interesting results, I have continually
battled against a characteristic of honey which has made it nature’s best
kept secret - the complexity of its structure! Honey appears to have
its own, strange effect on every assay in which it has been trialed and many
adaptations have been necessary to ensure reliable results can be obtained.
I could publish a large volume on assay development for use with honey.
I have a BA, BSc and an MSc. The subjects
I found necessary for my current study are Biology (genetics, physiology,
morphogenetics and biochemistry) and Organic Chemistry. I came back
to study after having children (I have three sons) and am proof that it is
also possible to change direction, e.g. my first degree was in Anthropology.
I would like to become a lecturer when I complete my PhD.
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