Investigation of a Novel Protein Implicated in Phosphate Metabolism in Bacteria. Phosphate is an important nutrient for all forms of life on Earth. A novel bacterial protein has been identified that appears to be important for the uptake or processing of phosphate, since mutants lacking the protein grow poorly inside certain cells of the human immune system (where phosphate levels are low) and in media containing low phosphate. The aims of this project are: to determine the role of the protein b ....Investigation of a Novel Protein Implicated in Phosphate Metabolism in Bacteria. Phosphate is an important nutrient for all forms of life on Earth. A novel bacterial protein has been identified that appears to be important for the uptake or processing of phosphate, since mutants lacking the protein grow poorly inside certain cells of the human immune system (where phosphate levels are low) and in media containing low phosphate. The aims of this project are: to determine the role of the protein by examining all phosphate containing molecules in our mutants; to determine its location in bacteria and functional domains; to identify other affected genes in our mutants; and, to find proteins that interact with this new protein. This project expects to demonstrate the importance of this protein in phosphate metabolism in bacteria.Read moreRead less
A microscopical examination of curdlan production by an Agrobacterium sp. We will investigate the secretion of the insoluble polysaccharide curdlan, a (1,3)-beta-glucan, from the surfaces of Agrobacterium cells and the assembly of the individual polysaccharide chains into microfibrils. Using state-of-the-art techniques in time lapse and electron microscopy we will compare the images of wild type curdlan-producing cells with those of mutants impaired in the production of curdlan. The outputs will ....A microscopical examination of curdlan production by an Agrobacterium sp. We will investigate the secretion of the insoluble polysaccharide curdlan, a (1,3)-beta-glucan, from the surfaces of Agrobacterium cells and the assembly of the individual polysaccharide chains into microfibrils. Using state-of-the-art techniques in time lapse and electron microscopy we will compare the images of wild type curdlan-producing cells with those of mutants impaired in the production of curdlan. The outputs will be information on the mechanics of curdlan production that will complement that emerging from our molecular biological and biochemical studies. These will have implications for understanding bacterial polysaccharide production in general and may have a commercial outcome in enhanced curdlan production.Read moreRead less
Manipulation of mitochondrial function by Legionella pneumophila. . The intracellular bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila co-evolved with eukaryotic hosts and has developed sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate human cell function – mitochondria in particular – by secreting >300 effector proteins through a specialised Type-IV system into the host cell. This research aims to understand the function of effector proteins targeted to mitochondria; delivering important new knowledge in host-pa ....Manipulation of mitochondrial function by Legionella pneumophila. . The intracellular bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila co-evolved with eukaryotic hosts and has developed sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate human cell function – mitochondria in particular – by secreting >300 effector proteins through a specialised Type-IV system into the host cell. This research aims to understand the function of effector proteins targeted to mitochondria; delivering important new knowledge in host-pathogen and mitochondrial biology and advanced cell biology tools. With most of the effector proteins yet to be characterised, benefits from the project will be to reveal specifically how these target mitochondria, and more broadly, how bacterial pathogens manipulate organelles for their survival.Read moreRead less
Regulation of proteolysis by specialised adaptor proteins. Training research scientists of the future forms an integral part of this research program and this collaboration will provide an excellent opportunity for young Australian scientists to be exposed to the very professional and competitive environment of basic research, as it exists in Germany. It will expose early career researchers to new ideas and emerging methodologies arming them with valuable skills, which they will transfer to Aust ....Regulation of proteolysis by specialised adaptor proteins. Training research scientists of the future forms an integral part of this research program and this collaboration will provide an excellent opportunity for young Australian scientists to be exposed to the very professional and competitive environment of basic research, as it exists in Germany. It will expose early career researchers to new ideas and emerging methodologies arming them with valuable skills, which they will transfer to Australia. The involvement of Prof. Turgay in the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Priority Programme: Proteolysis in Prokaryotes also provides a unique opportunity for these young researchers to interact with several of the worlds leading scientists in the area of proteolysis, enhancing Australia's reputation at the forefront of science.Read moreRead less
Novel mechanisms of bacterial arsenic metabolism - arsenate reduction and arsenite oxidation. Novel arsenic metabolising bacteria (i.e., arsenate respiring and arsenite oxidising), which are both phylogenetically and physiologically unique, have been isolated from arsenic-contaminated areas in Australia. The arsenate respiring bacterium, Chrysiogenes arsenatis, is of particular interest as it is the only organism reported able to respire with arsenate using the respiratory substrate acetate as t ....Novel mechanisms of bacterial arsenic metabolism - arsenate reduction and arsenite oxidation. Novel arsenic metabolising bacteria (i.e., arsenate respiring and arsenite oxidising), which are both phylogenetically and physiologically unique, have been isolated from arsenic-contaminated areas in Australia. The arsenate respiring bacterium, Chrysiogenes arsenatis, is of particular interest as it is the only organism reported able to respire with arsenate using the respiratory substrate acetate as the electron donor. It is proposed that physiological, biochemical and molecular biological studies be carried out to better understand the mechanisms by which these organisms metabolise arsenic. The knowledge gained from these studies will have worldwide application in the development of an arsenic bioremediation system.Read moreRead less
Molecular mechanisms of regulatory proteolysis in Escherichia coli. This project will examine how microorganisms, such as bacteria, remodel their internal proteins by selectively dismantling them in order to survive. Knowledge gained here could be used to manipulate these organisms for social and economic benefit by improving health outcomes and the production of resources.
Disulfide catalysis and protein folding in bacterial virulence. The molecular mechanisms that underpin disulfide bond formation have had a major impact on our understanding of protein folding and function. This project will make a major contribution to fundamental areas of disulfide catalysis pathways in bacterial pathogens and thus help maintain a strong international profile for Australian research in this field. The work will lead to training of research scientists and students in techniques ....Disulfide catalysis and protein folding in bacterial virulence. The molecular mechanisms that underpin disulfide bond formation have had a major impact on our understanding of protein folding and function. This project will make a major contribution to fundamental areas of disulfide catalysis pathways in bacterial pathogens and thus help maintain a strong international profile for Australian research in this field. The work will lead to training of research scientists and students in techniques that include molecular genetics, protein biochemistry and structural biology. Our findings may impact future directions for vaccine research on pathogens that cause life threatening infections in humans and therefore lead to improved health and reduced health care expenditure.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL130100038
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,796,748.00
Summary
Molecular machines and bacterial cell biology. This project will deliver a detailed understanding and visual rendering of molecular machines at work on the surface of bacteria. This ground-breaking research provides unique training opportunities for research students and staff: with projects driving frontier technology, and the transfer of new technological capabilities to Australia.
Characterising O-linked glycosylation across Burkholderia. Protein glycosylation, the chemical addition of sugars to proteins, enables the augmentation of protein properties. Across the Burkholderia genus we have shown O-linked glycosylation is both conserved as well as essential for bacterial fitness. Yet, we have little understanding of how glycosylation modulates the proteome of this genus. This project aims to characterise the glycoproteomes of Burkholderia species and track the impact of gl ....Characterising O-linked glycosylation across Burkholderia. Protein glycosylation, the chemical addition of sugars to proteins, enables the augmentation of protein properties. Across the Burkholderia genus we have shown O-linked glycosylation is both conserved as well as essential for bacterial fitness. Yet, we have little understanding of how glycosylation modulates the proteome of this genus. This project aims to characterise the glycoproteomes of Burkholderia species and track the impact of glycosylation on both the proteome and protein stability. By understanding how glycosylation shapes the proteome we will gain a greater understanding of the role of bacterial glycosylation in Burkholderia physiology as well as how we may better utilise microbial glycosylation for glycoprotein production.Read moreRead less
Sensing atmosphere: Understanding the HNOX-protein gas-sensing capability and how it is affected by heme-oxidation. The project investigates how gas sensing heme-proteins from the novel HNOX (Heme-Nitric Oxide) family are able to discriminate between different gaseous ligands such as O2 and NO and how oxidation of the heme alters this response. The gas-sensing capability of the HNOX proteins is crucial for organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. Thus, understanding of these signalling mechani ....Sensing atmosphere: Understanding the HNOX-protein gas-sensing capability and how it is affected by heme-oxidation. The project investigates how gas sensing heme-proteins from the novel HNOX (Heme-Nitric Oxide) family are able to discriminate between different gaseous ligands such as O2 and NO and how oxidation of the heme alters this response. The gas-sensing capability of the HNOX proteins is crucial for organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. Thus, understanding of these signalling mechanisms will have a strong impact on many scientific fields from the control of pathogen growth to human blood pressure regulation. This collaboration will establish Australian scientists and as world-leading in the field of NO and redox signalling. This development will also be of substantial benefit for the training of the next generation of Australian students and scientists.Read moreRead less