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
The evolution of bacterial pathogenesis: a genomic approach. The outcome of this research will be a better understanding of the genes involved with adaptation to particular pathogenic lifestyles. Specifically, genes that are rapidly evolving in selected bacterial pathogens of medical and veterinary importance will be identified using a bioinformatics approach that exploits the existence of multiple closely-related genome sequences. Such genes encode potential new targets for therapeutic interv ....The evolution of bacterial pathogenesis: a genomic approach. The outcome of this research will be a better understanding of the genes involved with adaptation to particular pathogenic lifestyles. Specifically, genes that are rapidly evolving in selected bacterial pathogens of medical and veterinary importance will be identified using a bioinformatics approach that exploits the existence of multiple closely-related genome sequences. Such genes encode potential new targets for therapeutic intervention that provide alternatives in the face of emerging antibiotic resistance. Importantly, the methodology developed in this project is broadly applicable to the study of evolution of bacterial pathogenesis in any background: medical, agricultural or horticultural.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
The development of a two-colour flow cytometric assay for the detection of whole cell biosensors in environmental samples. Macquarie University and the University of Copenhagen have expertise in fluorescence detection and whole cell biosensors respectively. The project will take advantage of these skills and develop a sensitive assay for monitoring biosensor bacteria in soil. The technology will be significant as it will enable real time analysis of antibiotic production in situ through the de ....The development of a two-colour flow cytometric assay for the detection of whole cell biosensors in environmental samples. Macquarie University and the University of Copenhagen have expertise in fluorescence detection and whole cell biosensors respectively. The project will take advantage of these skills and develop a sensitive assay for monitoring biosensor bacteria in soil. The technology will be significant as it will enable real time analysis of antibiotic production in situ through the detection of GFP expression. This work will then be used to isolate new antibiotic produces and will be extended to research into the bioavailability of toxic compounds and stress. An existing collaboration between the two institutions will be extended enabling the transfer and application of biosensor technology to Australia.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
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.
Evolution of diverse symbiotic phenotypes among native soil bacteria following spread of a genomic island from a rhizobial inoculant. The quality of legume protein depends on symbiotic nitrogen fixation by root nodule bacteria (RNB). Sustainable legume production in Australian agriculture depends on legume inoculation with effective strains of these bacteria. Unfortunately inoculant strains transfer DNA to other soil bacteria resulting in soil populations of RNB that compete for nodulation but a ....Evolution of diverse symbiotic phenotypes among native soil bacteria following spread of a genomic island from a rhizobial inoculant. The quality of legume protein depends on symbiotic nitrogen fixation by root nodule bacteria (RNB). Sustainable legume production in Australian agriculture depends on legume inoculation with effective strains of these bacteria. Unfortunately inoculant strains transfer DNA to other soil bacteria resulting in soil populations of RNB that compete for nodulation but are less effective in nitrogen fixation. This transfer of DNA threatens a $2 billion asset in Australian agriculture. We will use molecular microbial ecology to investigate the mechanisms of genetic transfer of symbiotic DNA in RNB, and use this knowledge to prevent it.Read moreRead less
Safety in numbers: Bacterial aggregation and adaptation to oxidative stress. This project is a new collaboration which links two molecular microbiologists with the complementary skills required to make new insights into the molecular processes that underpin bacterial aggregation and biofilm formation. Biofilms are of immense significance in medical, industrial and environmental settings and so the fundamental information gained from this project will have wider relevance to the field of microbio ....Safety in numbers: Bacterial aggregation and adaptation to oxidative stress. This project is a new collaboration which links two molecular microbiologists with the complementary skills required to make new insights into the molecular processes that underpin bacterial aggregation and biofilm formation. Biofilms are of immense significance in medical, industrial and environmental settings and so the fundamental information gained from this project will have wider relevance to the field of microbiology. An outcome of this proposal will be fundamental knowledge about the production of surface adhesins that will form the basis for rational treatment of disease in the future. Prevention of aggregation and biofilm formation would make bacterial populations more susceptible to conventional antibiotic treatment.Read moreRead less
Environmental genomics and novel bioactives from microbial communities on living marine surfaces. This project has three linked benefits to Australia. One, it is the first study to use environmental genomics analysis in an Australian marine ecosystem, thus bringing into the Australian scientific community the cutting edge technology for studying diverse microbial communities. Two, by using this technology we will be able to investigate Australian marine biodiversity to an unprecedented extent. ....Environmental genomics and novel bioactives from microbial communities on living marine surfaces. This project has three linked benefits to Australia. One, it is the first study to use environmental genomics analysis in an Australian marine ecosystem, thus bringing into the Australian scientific community the cutting edge technology for studying diverse microbial communities. Two, by using this technology we will be able to investigate Australian marine biodiversity to an unprecedented extent. Three, this newly revealed diversity will then be mined for novel bioactives for use in pharmaceutical and other human health applications. Read moreRead less