Biology and evolution of intracellular parasitism. This project will investigate the development of intracellular parasitism in environmental amoebae. The outcomes of this work will help to understand the mechanisms by which bacteria have evolved to survive inside cells and in some cases cause disease.
Nucleomodulin effectors of the environmental pathogen Legionella. This project aims to examine the evolution of Legionella as an intracellular organism and the mechanisms by which the bacteria evade environmental predation by amoebae. Aside from the advancement of knowledge, expected outcomes of this project include a greater understanding of amoebae. This will provide significant benefits, and this knowledge may be used to develop inhibitors of amoebae growth.
Investigating pathways of lipoglycan formation in the bacterial cell wall. This project aims to investigate how the complex cell walls of Mycobacteria and Corynebacteria are assembled. The project will utilise a combination of genetic, biochemical and advanced analytical approaches to investigate individual steps in the synthesis of key cell wall components and understand how the assembly of these components is coordinated with bacterial growth. Important outcomes of this research will be detail ....Investigating pathways of lipoglycan formation in the bacterial cell wall. This project aims to investigate how the complex cell walls of Mycobacteria and Corynebacteria are assembled. The project will utilise a combination of genetic, biochemical and advanced analytical approaches to investigate individual steps in the synthesis of key cell wall components and understand how the assembly of these components is coordinated with bacterial growth. Important outcomes of this research will be detailed information on processes that regulate the growth of bacteria with important biotechnology, veterinary and medical significance, as well as information on mechanisms of cell wall synthesis that may be conserved in all bacteria.Read moreRead less
The protein O-glycosylation pathway of Neisseria: a model system for O-glycosylation of bacterial proteins with potential use in biotechnology. Proteins can be modified by the addition of sugar molecules. This process, called glycosylation, has been studied for some time in humans and other higher organisms, but is relatively new in the field of bacteria. This study will use the bacterium Neisseria as a model system for this process and work to harness the system for use in biotechnology.
The role of N-linked protein glycosylation in Campylobacter jejuni. It is estimated that 300,000 Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) infections occur in Australia annually, causing a vast economic loss. This project will assist in the understanding of the role of glycosylation and will significantly aid in determining how C. jejuni colonises humans and poultry and lead to the discovery of interventions to reduce the organism in poultry for human consumption.
Bacterial vesicles transport their bioactive cargo to the host nucleus. This project aims to investigate how bacterial membrane vesicles transport their cargo to the nucleus of cells and its impact on host cell functions. Bacteria use membrane vesicles as a means of communication with the host, but the full extent of their effects on host cells has yet to be fully elucidated. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field using cutting-edge imaging and molecular biology approaches. ....Bacterial vesicles transport their bioactive cargo to the host nucleus. This project aims to investigate how bacterial membrane vesicles transport their cargo to the nucleus of cells and its impact on host cell functions. Bacteria use membrane vesicles as a means of communication with the host, but the full extent of their effects on host cells has yet to be fully elucidated. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field using cutting-edge imaging and molecular biology approaches. The work should provide significant benefits, particularly towards the development of membrane vesicles in gene therapy, gene editing and other applications. Read moreRead less
Bacterial poly-histidine triad proteins. The poly-histidine triad (Pht) proteins are a poorly characterised family of surface proteins expressed by the genus Streptococcus and other Gram-positive genera. Recent studies suggest an important role for Pht proteins in survival of these bacteria in low zinc (Zn) environments. The project hypothesis is that Pht proteins specifically recruit Zn from the extracellular environment and somehow make it available to ATP binding cassette (ABC) transport syst ....Bacterial poly-histidine triad proteins. The poly-histidine triad (Pht) proteins are a poorly characterised family of surface proteins expressed by the genus Streptococcus and other Gram-positive genera. Recent studies suggest an important role for Pht proteins in survival of these bacteria in low zinc (Zn) environments. The project hypothesis is that Pht proteins specifically recruit Zn from the extracellular environment and somehow make it available to ATP binding cassette (ABC) transport systems located in the bacterial plasma membrane, beneath the cell wall, facilitating Zn uptake by the bacterium. The aim of this project is to conduct comprehensive molecular characterization of the interactions between Pht proteins, Zn and ABC transporters, and the role of the histidine triad motifs in these interactions.Read moreRead less
Molecular insights into bacterial metal ion homeostasis and toxicity. This project aims to measure bacterial cellular metal concentrations, elucidate mechanisms cells use to adapt to changing extracellular metal concentrations, and reveal the molecular targets of metal toxicity. Metal ions are essential to all forms of life, and half of all proteins use metal ions for cellular chemical processes. However, how cells precisely balance sufficient metal ions for essential cellular chemistry without ....Molecular insights into bacterial metal ion homeostasis and toxicity. This project aims to measure bacterial cellular metal concentrations, elucidate mechanisms cells use to adapt to changing extracellular metal concentrations, and reveal the molecular targets of metal toxicity. Metal ions are essential to all forms of life, and half of all proteins use metal ions for cellular chemical processes. However, how cells precisely balance sufficient metal ions for essential cellular chemistry without accumulating a toxic excess (metal homeostasis) is poorly understood. Discovering the roles of metal ions in bacterial cells will be key to defining the chemical biology of living systems and will provide information essential to understanding how microbes adapt to changing environments.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.
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