Can eco-evolutionary theories explain outcomes of microbiome coalescence . Environmental microbial communities are among the most abundant and diverse natural communities, responsible for many ecologically and economically important ecosystem functions, including primary productivity and climate regulation. This project aims to identify the biotic and abiotic factors that regulate community and functional outcomes of microbiome coalescence (the mixing of two different communities) caused by natu ....Can eco-evolutionary theories explain outcomes of microbiome coalescence . Environmental microbial communities are among the most abundant and diverse natural communities, responsible for many ecologically and economically important ecosystem functions, including primary productivity and climate regulation. This project aims to identify the biotic and abiotic factors that regulate community and functional outcomes of microbiome coalescence (the mixing of two different communities) caused by natural and anthropogenic activities. The outcomes will provide a unifying ecological framework to predict variation in microbiomes across different scales, ecosystem types and disturbances, and will generate critical knowledge for the development of effective microbiome products, a rapidly growing industryRead moreRead less
Australia's freshwater ecosystems: how microbial diversity and functionality influence harmful cyanobacterial blooms. Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are a constant threat to safe drinking water supplies. A bloom is a poorly understood interaction between many species and the environment. This project will investigate the entire microbial population and their physiologies present in a bloom event in order to identify potential targets for their management.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
A ToF-SIMS facility for elemental and isotopic imaging of ultra-fine features for researchers in east Australia. A time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometer facility for elemental and isotopic imaging of ultra-fine features: Microbiology has long been an area of strength in Australian science. With recent technological advances microbiology has entered a new golden age unveiling an extraordinary level of diversity and the central role of microbes in global biogeochemistry. The 'omics' era i ....A ToF-SIMS facility for elemental and isotopic imaging of ultra-fine features for researchers in east Australia. A time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometer facility for elemental and isotopic imaging of ultra-fine features: Microbiology has long been an area of strength in Australian science. With recent technological advances microbiology has entered a new golden age unveiling an extraordinary level of diversity and the central role of microbes in global biogeochemistry. The 'omics' era is generating endless hypotheses regarding geochemical processes carried out by microbes and this necessitates the application of advanced technologies to generate empirical support. Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry has emerged as a key tool to unravel elemental cycling carried out by microorganisms in mixed species communities in contexts ranging from terrestrial to marine ecology and from groundwater bioremediation to biogas production biotechnologies.Read moreRead less
A Changing Climate on the Great Barrier Reef: Present and Future Implications. The Great Barrier Reef is fundamental to the economy of Australia. This national and international icon needs to be preserved in the face of a changing world to ensure on-going sustainability of our marine resources. Ocean acidification, warming water temperatures, increased freshwater disrupt the sensitive symbiotic association of corals the major structure building organisms of reefs. Understanding how these enviro ....A Changing Climate on the Great Barrier Reef: Present and Future Implications. The Great Barrier Reef is fundamental to the economy of Australia. This national and international icon needs to be preserved in the face of a changing world to ensure on-going sustainability of our marine resources. Ocean acidification, warming water temperatures, increased freshwater disrupt the sensitive symbiotic association of corals the major structure building organisms of reefs. Understanding how these environmental stressors result in the decrease in coral health is fundamental to prevent loss of our coral reefs and an important step towards preserving them for future generations.Read moreRead less
Understanding how bacteria form multicellular biofilm communities on surfaces: the role of cyclic diguanylate as a potent biofilm activator. Bacteria usually exist as multicellular communities called biofilms when attached to surfaces, frequently to the detriment of the environment, industry and health. This project will explore the strategies bacteria use to switch from living as free-floating, individual cells to forming biofilms by studying how bacteria 'switch on' their biofilm genes.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100019
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,000.00
Summary
A transportable containerised laboratory for rapid cell sorting and high-resolution bioimaging of living aquatic microbes in field locations. This project will deliver a transportable, unique laboratory for the rapid isolation and high-resolution analysis of living microbes immediately after sampling from the sea or waterways. It will be the first of its kind in Australia and deliver new knowledge of the role of these organisms in their natural habitats.
The Role of the Single-Cell Environment in Microbial Invasion. This project aims to use a single-cell approach to develop a quantitative analysis of single-cell interactions to advance our understanding of complex bacterial behaviour fundamental to ecology, industry, technology and disease. Bacteria are ubiquitous on Earth and play key roles in nutrient cycles, biogeochemistry, pathogenesis, symbiosis and bioremediation among other processes. They exhibit complex behaviour and continuously invad ....The Role of the Single-Cell Environment in Microbial Invasion. This project aims to use a single-cell approach to develop a quantitative analysis of single-cell interactions to advance our understanding of complex bacterial behaviour fundamental to ecology, industry, technology and disease. Bacteria are ubiquitous on Earth and play key roles in nutrient cycles, biogeochemistry, pathogenesis, symbiosis and bioremediation among other processes. They exhibit complex behaviour and continuously invade animals, plants and new habitats. These behaviours are poorly understood in natural communities.Read moreRead less
Determinants of substrate preferences and environmental applications of the copper membrane monooxygenases. The project aims to improve sustainability of environmental problems related to methane emissions, nitrogen cycling and pollution. We are developing tools targeting microbial genes correlated to all these issues. Data from these tests provides the information needed for monitoring environmental health and development of sustainable solutions.
Role of rhizosphere microorganisms in growth of plants in soils with low P availability. The concentration of available phosphorus in many Australian soils is low compared to the requirement of plants and soil organisms. Plant genotypes differ in their capacity to grow at low P availability but the role of rhizosphere microorganisms in plant P uptake from such soils is largely unknown. We will determine the role of rhizosphere microorganisms in P solubilisation and mobilisation in different crop ....Role of rhizosphere microorganisms in growth of plants in soils with low P availability. The concentration of available phosphorus in many Australian soils is low compared to the requirement of plants and soil organisms. Plant genotypes differ in their capacity to grow at low P availability but the role of rhizosphere microorganisms in plant P uptake from such soils is largely unknown. We will determine the role of rhizosphere microorganisms in P solubilisation and mobilisation in different crop genotypes and native plant species in different Australian soils with low P availability. The results will give a comprehensive picture of the role of rhizosphere microbial ecology in phosphorus acquisition by crop and native plants.Read moreRead less
Genome-level insight into the dynamics of a model coral microbiome. The aim of the project is to examine structural and functional microbiome dynamics in an ecologically important coral on the Great Barrier Reef along a natural temperature gradient. Microorganisms form an intimate symbiotic relationship with corals and are critical to their health. However, the microbiome can be disrupted by environmental perturbations, including higher-than-normal ocean temperatures, leaving the coral susceptib ....Genome-level insight into the dynamics of a model coral microbiome. The aim of the project is to examine structural and functional microbiome dynamics in an ecologically important coral on the Great Barrier Reef along a natural temperature gradient. Microorganisms form an intimate symbiotic relationship with corals and are critical to their health. However, the microbiome can be disrupted by environmental perturbations, including higher-than-normal ocean temperatures, leaving the coral susceptible to disease and bleaching. Currently, our understanding of how the microbiome composition and metabolic function change in response to seasonal temperature variation and disease is limited. This project is designed to provide insight into the role the microbiome plays in maintaining coral health and may aid in the long-term preservation of the reefs.Read moreRead less