The biology of integrons and their role in bacterial adaptation. Bacteria evolve in ways that animals and plants do not. One of the tools available is the ability to share genes amongst individuals in a community. One example of this is the very rapid spread of antibiotic resistance genes in pathogens. Here we will be studying a genetic element that greatly contributes to this horizontal spread of genes. This will lead to a better understanding of how bacteria work, the direct benefits of whic ....The biology of integrons and their role in bacterial adaptation. Bacteria evolve in ways that animals and plants do not. One of the tools available is the ability to share genes amongst individuals in a community. One example of this is the very rapid spread of antibiotic resistance genes in pathogens. Here we will be studying a genetic element that greatly contributes to this horizontal spread of genes. This will lead to a better understanding of how bacteria work, the direct benefits of which includes the discovery of new pathways and genes for the biotechnology industry and greater understanding of how bacteria cause disease in us, other animals and in commercial crops.Read moreRead less
A functional genomic approach for understanding metal ion adaptation in marine cyanobacteria. Unicellular marine cyanobacteria constitute 20-40% of total marine chlorophyll biomass and carbon fixation, and hence significantly impact the global carbon cycle and are very relevant to combating global warming. This research will reveal some of the major mechanisms by which marine cyanobacteria have adapted to metal levels in coastal and oligotrophic environments. Thus these results will help us und ....A functional genomic approach for understanding metal ion adaptation in marine cyanobacteria. Unicellular marine cyanobacteria constitute 20-40% of total marine chlorophyll biomass and carbon fixation, and hence significantly impact the global carbon cycle and are very relevant to combating global warming. This research will reveal some of the major mechanisms by which marine cyanobacteria have adapted to metal levels in coastal and oligotrophic environments. Thus these results will help us understand the distribution and diversity of these organisms in relation to global primary productivity. They will also lead to the development of more robust biomarkers for metal stress and pollution in coastal environments.Read moreRead less
Variation in bacterial genomic mutation rates. Our measurement of global mutation rates will contribute to an understanding of the evolutionary properties of bacteria, the most diverse and successful organisms in the biosphere. Bacterial variation and culture richness contributes not only to ecological processes but also to emerging diseases. The studies will enhance capabilities essential in interpreting the evolution of epidemics and the kinetics of bacterial sweeps in nature. Variation also p ....Variation in bacterial genomic mutation rates. Our measurement of global mutation rates will contribute to an understanding of the evolutionary properties of bacteria, the most diverse and successful organisms in the biosphere. Bacterial variation and culture richness contributes not only to ecological processes but also to emerging diseases. The studies will enhance capabilities essential in interpreting the evolution of epidemics and the kinetics of bacterial sweeps in nature. Variation also provides the source material for exploitation of bacterial products such as antibiotics. The results from understanding a complete set of mutational changes through genomic analysis will provide the most direct estimates of variation in evolving bacteria.Read moreRead less
Plasmid maintenance and interactions with the host cell and its genome. Plasmids are extrachromosomal genetic elements that play a central role in the evolution of bacteria. They are the most dynamic component of the bacterial genome, augmenting the host chromosome by conferring a range of significant phenotypes that facilitate environmental adaptation. This project aims to elucidate fundamental aspects of the relationship between plasmids and their bacterial hosts. Significant outcomes include ....Plasmid maintenance and interactions with the host cell and its genome. Plasmids are extrachromosomal genetic elements that play a central role in the evolution of bacteria. They are the most dynamic component of the bacterial genome, augmenting the host chromosome by conferring a range of significant phenotypes that facilitate environmental adaptation. This project aims to elucidate fundamental aspects of the relationship between plasmids and their bacterial hosts. Significant outcomes include understanding the molecular basis of efficient plasmid inheritance in bacterial populations, and exploration of the innovative hypothesis that plasmids modulate expression of the host chromosome, a possibility that would profoundly alter our view of how plasmids influence host phenotype.Read moreRead less
Cellular Gene Regulation Networks. The benefit to Australia will be scientific in terms of providing an understanding of how cells integrate transcriptional control systems and the networks that are involved. This will inform research on folate deficiency and aberrant human development and towards identifying genes that are important in improving efficiency of microbial fermentations. Additional and more practical major benefits will follow from the development of tools to analyse interaction ....Cellular Gene Regulation Networks. The benefit to Australia will be scientific in terms of providing an understanding of how cells integrate transcriptional control systems and the networks that are involved. This will inform research on folate deficiency and aberrant human development and towards identifying genes that are important in improving efficiency of microbial fermentations. Additional and more practical major benefits will follow from the development of tools to analyse interactions between control systems, including software of value to the research community. The work will provide postgraduate students with major training in up-to-date genomic technologies, and in the interface between application of bioinformatics and experimental science.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101524
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$355,325.00
Summary
Taking Control: Understanding regulation of bacterial iron acquisition. This project aims to uncover the bacterial regulatory networks acting on a family of iron-stealing molecules called siderophores. Bacteria use siderophores to acquire iron from their hosts, the environment, and each other – as such, they have a central role in microbial life. Despite their importance, we have an incomplete knowledge of how these iron-stealing weapons are deployed. This project will develop a new genomics-bas ....Taking Control: Understanding regulation of bacterial iron acquisition. This project aims to uncover the bacterial regulatory networks acting on a family of iron-stealing molecules called siderophores. Bacteria use siderophores to acquire iron from their hosts, the environment, and each other – as such, they have a central role in microbial life. Despite their importance, we have an incomplete knowledge of how these iron-stealing weapons are deployed. This project will develop a new genomics-based, high-throughput technology for defining bacterial gene regulation networks, and use it to understand siderophore control. This will provide new knowledge of siderophore function, enhance understanding of bacterial community and host interactions, and establish leadership in a new genomics technology in Australia.Read moreRead less
A new molecular machine required for bacterial development into spores. This project aims to provide new knowledge on how bacteria produce dormant, stress-resistant cells called spores, and how bacteria transport molecules across their cellular layers to execute biological functions. Spores can act as a source of new and recurring infections in many bacterial pathogens. This project expects to reveal molecular details on a new class of nanomachines required for spore development. The new knowled ....A new molecular machine required for bacterial development into spores. This project aims to provide new knowledge on how bacteria produce dormant, stress-resistant cells called spores, and how bacteria transport molecules across their cellular layers to execute biological functions. Spores can act as a source of new and recurring infections in many bacterial pathogens. This project expects to reveal molecular details on a new class of nanomachines required for spore development. The new knowledge generated may expand the arsenal of molecular targets required to develop strategies interfering with spore formation. This provides a platform from which industry could attract investment for exploring innovative strategies for controlling bacteria.Read moreRead less
A genetic analysis of the role of an atypical hexokinase in gene regulation. This project addresses a question which is relevant to all living things-how do changes in the environment of a cell bring about a change in gene expression? The aim of this project is to investigate the role of hexokinases in gene regulation by studying the Aspergillus nidulans xprF gene, which encodes an an unusual hexokinase. Hexokinases are thought to be the glucose sensors in plants, animals and fungi, and play a ....A genetic analysis of the role of an atypical hexokinase in gene regulation. This project addresses a question which is relevant to all living things-how do changes in the environment of a cell bring about a change in gene expression? The aim of this project is to investigate the role of hexokinases in gene regulation by studying the Aspergillus nidulans xprF gene, which encodes an an unusual hexokinase. Hexokinases are thought to be the glucose sensors in plants, animals and fungi, and play a role in the development of diabetes in humans. In plants, sugars affect many processes including growth, flowering, photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, starch synthesis, pigmentation and response to pathogens.Read moreRead less
Importance of Wzx flippase specificity for O-antigen diversity. The Wzx protein flips subunits of the polysaccharide O antigen (O-units) across the cell membrane on their way to the cell wall. The aim of this project is to determine the specificity that different Wzx flippases have for O unit structure. Previous research has shown that there is much more specificity than previously thought, making Wzx a very interesting protein. Wzx flippases vary enormously in sequence, presumably reflecting th ....Importance of Wzx flippase specificity for O-antigen diversity. The Wzx protein flips subunits of the polysaccharide O antigen (O-units) across the cell membrane on their way to the cell wall. The aim of this project is to determine the specificity that different Wzx flippases have for O unit structure. Previous research has shown that there is much more specificity than previously thought, making Wzx a very interesting protein. Wzx flippases vary enormously in sequence, presumably reflecting the diversity of sugars and linkages in O units. The significance lies in the role of these polysaccharides in interactions with the environment, including host-pathogen interactions and immune responses. The outcome will be a new understanding of the export specificity of O-antigens and also capsules, both of which make very good vaccines. Read moreRead less
Peril and promise: Origins and spread of integron gene cassettes. Integrons have a major role in spreading antibiotic resistance genes among pathogens. They do so by capturing gene cassettes encoding resistance, yet how these cassettes are generated, the taxa in which they originate, and the range of traits that cassettes can encode have been outstanding questions for 30 years. This project addresses these long standing questions. The project will analyze single bacterial cells to detect newly ....Peril and promise: Origins and spread of integron gene cassettes. Integrons have a major role in spreading antibiotic resistance genes among pathogens. They do so by capturing gene cassettes encoding resistance, yet how these cassettes are generated, the taxa in which they originate, and the range of traits that cassettes can encode have been outstanding questions for 30 years. This project addresses these long standing questions. The project will analyze single bacterial cells to detect newly generated cassettes and assign them to specific taxa, using an innovative method that links cassette DNA to bacterial 16S rDNA. Understanding cassette origins is the key to controlling their activity, both to harness integrons for biotechnology, and to prevent pathogens from acquiring new, dangerous traits. Read moreRead less