Genetics and evolution of Shigella O antigens. We use genome scale sequencing techniques to sequence 26 O-antigen gene clusters from Shigella. With the seven already known, this will give sequences for every O-antigen of Shigella. This will be the first time that such set is fully sequenced. Shigella are human specific pathogens, have emerged with the evolution of humans. O-antigens are important for their life and pathogenicity. This project will greatly extend our knowledge of the genetic basi ....Genetics and evolution of Shigella O antigens. We use genome scale sequencing techniques to sequence 26 O-antigen gene clusters from Shigella. With the seven already known, this will give sequences for every O-antigen of Shigella. This will be the first time that such set is fully sequenced. Shigella are human specific pathogens, have emerged with the evolution of humans. O-antigens are important for their life and pathogenicity. This project will greatly extend our knowledge of the genetic basis and evolution of this important polymorphism. O-antigens are used for typing Shigella and also elicit strong immunity. The molecular data will help establish DNA based typing and vaccine development.Read moreRead less
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
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.
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
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
ARC Centre of Excellence - Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics. The research falls under the National Research Priority Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries, with the priority goal of frontier technologies. The research has commercial applications, such as the development of novel antimicrobials and vaccines, with potentially enormous impact in the biotechnology area of biomedical health and the primary industries. In addition, the project will use ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics. The research falls under the National Research Priority Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries, with the priority goal of frontier technologies. The research has commercial applications, such as the development of novel antimicrobials and vaccines, with potentially enormous impact in the biotechnology area of biomedical health and the primary industries. In addition, the project will use state-of-the-art technology, including use of synchrotron radiation at the Monash-based Australian Synchrotron facility from 2007.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354619
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Australian Microbial Genomics Research Network. The Australian Microbial Genomics Research Network aims to bring together Australian scientists with complementary expertise in microbial genomics within two ARC Centres, a Ramaciotti Centre and four institutions across three states. This initiative will involve the strategy and planning of the proposed Network.
ARC Centre for Structural & Functional Microbial Genomics. Australian Primary Industry will benefit from a team of experts in microbial genetics, bioinformatics and protein structure and function undertaking integrated studies on microbial genomics and phenomics that are focused on fundamental biological processes and host/pathogen interactions. Whole genome expression and protein profiling will be used to characterise genes whose expression is altered in the infected host and to analyse genes i ....ARC Centre for Structural & Functional Microbial Genomics. Australian Primary Industry will benefit from a team of experts in microbial genetics, bioinformatics and protein structure and function undertaking integrated studies on microbial genomics and phenomics that are focused on fundamental biological processes and host/pathogen interactions. Whole genome expression and protein profiling will be used to characterise genes whose expression is altered in the infected host and to analyse genes involved in the control of key cellular processes. The Centre will also determine the shapes of key molecules and their interactions. Practical outcomes will include new veterinary vaccines and the identification of novel antimicrobial targets.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