The molecular basis of oligotrophy: an integrated genomic and functional proteomic study of the model marine oligotroph, Sphingopyxis alaskensis. The project will will enable Australia to take the lead in the global analysis of oligotrophy, highlighting the reputation Australian scientists have in scientific programs of global significance. As Australia is surrounded by some of the most oligotrophic waters in the world, we have access to an enormous natural resource suitable for the isolation of ....The molecular basis of oligotrophy: an integrated genomic and functional proteomic study of the model marine oligotroph, Sphingopyxis alaskensis. The project will will enable Australia to take the lead in the global analysis of oligotrophy, highlighting the reputation Australian scientists have in scientific programs of global significance. As Australia is surrounded by some of the most oligotrophic waters in the world, we have access to an enormous natural resource suitable for the isolation of oligotrophs. Realising the potential of oligotrophs may therefore provide an invaluable source of compounds, enzymes and molecules for biotechnology and industry. Understanding microbial oligotrophy will also ensure we protect our $50 billion dollar tourism industry by remaining abreast of factors which influence the marine environment and directly impact on all coastal activities.Read moreRead less
Control of Wolbachia replication: maintaining a stable symbiosis. This project will use a comparative genomics approach to better understand how Wolbachia infections of insects are able to maintain themselves in insects without causing pathology. The results will allow us to better understand a distinguishing characteristic of an intracellular symbiont, namely replication control. The results also have the potential to lead to new approaches to insect pest control through a better understanding ....Control of Wolbachia replication: maintaining a stable symbiosis. This project will use a comparative genomics approach to better understand how Wolbachia infections of insects are able to maintain themselves in insects without causing pathology. The results will allow us to better understand a distinguishing characteristic of an intracellular symbiont, namely replication control. The results also have the potential to lead to new approaches to insect pest control through a better understanding of how Wolbachia might be used to skew insect population age structure.Read moreRead less
DNA Replication fork processing and recovery in living Escherichia coli cells. DNA is the genetic blueprint for all life. When cells divide their DNA has to be copied completely, and exactly, to avoid mutations or death. When the process of copying breaks down, the DNA needs to be repaired and the process of copying restarted. This project will investigate living cells, to understand the mechanisms and pathways involved.
The molecular mechanism of action of bacterial epigenetic regulators. This project aims to determine the mechanisms of action of a class of bacterial epigenetic regulators. Many bacteria exhibit phase variable expression of genes (random, high frequency on/off switching of expression), typically due to simple DNA repeats within the gene(s) that encode them. Many bacterial species contain phase variable DNA methyltransferases that regulate epigenetics and control expression of distinct sets of pr ....The molecular mechanism of action of bacterial epigenetic regulators. This project aims to determine the mechanisms of action of a class of bacterial epigenetic regulators. Many bacteria exhibit phase variable expression of genes (random, high frequency on/off switching of expression), typically due to simple DNA repeats within the gene(s) that encode them. Many bacterial species contain phase variable DNA methyltransferases that regulate epigenetics and control expression of distinct sets of proteins (phasevarions) via variable methylation of the genome. The precise mechanism of action of these regulators is unknown. Characterisation of these systems will provide better understanding of bacterial gene regulation and adaptation, which will inform biotechnology and vaccine development and could contribute to economic and health advancements.Read moreRead less
Investigations into the antibacterial mechanism of action of cannabidiol. Cannabidiol (CBD) comes from a set of naturally occurring compounds, with a range of applications in mainstream culture. We have recently reported that CBD has excellent antimicrobial properties, with the ability to kill bacteria. This project aims to understand how CBD works by examining CBD-bacterial interactions at a genetic and molecular level. By understanding how CBD acts on and within bacterial cells, we can create ....Investigations into the antibacterial mechanism of action of cannabidiol. Cannabidiol (CBD) comes from a set of naturally occurring compounds, with a range of applications in mainstream culture. We have recently reported that CBD has excellent antimicrobial properties, with the ability to kill bacteria. This project aims to understand how CBD works by examining CBD-bacterial interactions at a genetic and molecular level. By understanding how CBD acts on and within bacterial cells, we can create fundamental new knowledge that could lead to the design of improved analogs of CBD to that can treat bacterial infections. As a much-needed completely new antibiotic class, this will lead to significant benefits, supporting Australia's National Strategy to combat the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance.Read moreRead less