Living on air: how do bacteria scavenge atmospheric trace gases? This project aims to determine the molecular and cellular basis of atmospheric trace gas oxidation by bacteria. Bacteria have a remarkable ability to adapt to resource limitation and environmental change by entering dormant states. Our research has shown they survive in this state by using atmospheric hydrogen and carbon monoxide as energy sources. This interdisciplinary project will determine how bacteria achieve this by elucidati ....Living on air: how do bacteria scavenge atmospheric trace gases? This project aims to determine the molecular and cellular basis of atmospheric trace gas oxidation by bacteria. Bacteria have a remarkable ability to adapt to resource limitation and environmental change by entering dormant states. Our research has shown they survive in this state by using atmospheric hydrogen and carbon monoxide as energy sources. This interdisciplinary project will determine how bacteria achieve this by elucidating the regulation, mechanism, and integration of the three uncharacterised enzymes that mediate this process. Outcomes and benefits include understanding of the processes that facilitate bacterial persistence, regulate atmospheric composition, and in turn support resilience of natural ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Structures to Solve Conflicts of DNA Replication and RNA Transcription. This project aims to understand how new DNA is made so quickly and without mistakes in cells that are about to divide, in spite of competition from other processes happening at the same time on the DNA that should stop or interfere with it, such as the synthesis of RNA. The project expects to use the latest available methods to uncover what the microscopic natural machines that make DNA and RNA look like, and how they compet ....Structures to Solve Conflicts of DNA Replication and RNA Transcription. This project aims to understand how new DNA is made so quickly and without mistakes in cells that are about to divide, in spite of competition from other processes happening at the same time on the DNA that should stop or interfere with it, such as the synthesis of RNA. The project expects to use the latest available methods to uncover what the microscopic natural machines that make DNA and RNA look like, and how they compete with each other for access to DNA. Potential outcomes include the identification of processes that can be compromised by small molecules that may be developed into new antibiotics. This would be of great benefit - new antibiotics are urgently needed as one approach to countering the threat of antimicrobial resistance.Read moreRead less