Cell division in archaea. This project aims to reveal how archaeal FtsZ proteins and their spatial regulators control cell division, and develop an archaeal paradigm for cell biology. Archaea, a major group of microorganisms, are one of the three major domains of life on earth. They are diverse and show potential for innovation, but, owing to their relatively recent identification, are poorly understood compared to bacteria and eukaryotes. Expected outcomes are insights into the function of FtsZ ....Cell division in archaea. This project aims to reveal how archaeal FtsZ proteins and their spatial regulators control cell division, and develop an archaeal paradigm for cell biology. Archaea, a major group of microorganisms, are one of the three major domains of life on earth. They are diverse and show potential for innovation, but, owing to their relatively recent identification, are poorly understood compared to bacteria and eukaryotes. Expected outcomes are insights into the function of FtsZ-based cell division in archaea; better understanding of cell structure, function and diversity; and a wide range of cell and molecular biology studies.Read moreRead less
Defining how bacteriophage shape the biofilm lifecycle of bacteria. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and they represent a significant selective pressure that drives the evolution of bacteria. We will study the genetic mechanisms by which genes encoded by a bacteriophage can contribute to increased survival of bacteria in the environment.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190101053
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,656.00
Summary
Archaeal vesicles: new insights into viral evolution and DNA transfer. This project aims to determine the basis for plasmid and membrane vesicle generation and DNA transfer at the cellular and molecular level. Recent discovery of plasmid vesicles, which transfer plasmid DNA between host cells using viral capsid-like membrane vesicles, suggests they may be an evolutionary precursor for virus particles. The expected project outcomes include the first substantive characterisation of membrane vesicl ....Archaeal vesicles: new insights into viral evolution and DNA transfer. This project aims to determine the basis for plasmid and membrane vesicle generation and DNA transfer at the cellular and molecular level. Recent discovery of plasmid vesicles, which transfer plasmid DNA between host cells using viral capsid-like membrane vesicles, suggests they may be an evolutionary precursor for virus particles. The expected project outcomes include the first substantive characterisation of membrane vesicles in the phylum Euryarchaeota, how plasmid vesicles are generated and transmitted, and new insights into how viruses may evolve. This may lead to new avenues for preventing viral transmission and supporting development of new and improved applications biotechnology and the safe delivery of vaccines or genes in animals and humans.Read moreRead less
Exploiting microbial metabolites to understand fungal biology. The project aims to investigate the principles of hyphal growth in fungi, by studying the mechanisms of action of a bacteria-derived compound that inhibits hyphae. Changing cell shape between yeast and hyphae is a prototype developmental switch enabling fungi to escape stressful environments, while hyphal invasion promotes fungal infections of animals and plants that endanger food security and biodiversity. By using interdisciplinary ....Exploiting microbial metabolites to understand fungal biology. The project aims to investigate the principles of hyphal growth in fungi, by studying the mechanisms of action of a bacteria-derived compound that inhibits hyphae. Changing cell shape between yeast and hyphae is a prototype developmental switch enabling fungi to escape stressful environments, while hyphal invasion promotes fungal infections of animals and plants that endanger food security and biodiversity. By using interdisciplinary approaches of microbiology and chemistry, the expected outcomes are to generate deep knowledge of an important microbial process and how it could be modulated, characterise a new bacterial compound and build research capacity at the nexus of biology and chemistry to benefit discoveries in academia and industry.Read moreRead less