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Merging the potential of microbial evolution and chemical diversity for applications in environmental health and drug discovery
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Our interests can be divided into several programs that are linked by the underlying theory that the diversity of life on Earth is the basis for the evolution of natural products and other biotechnologies. The measurement of biological diversity and detection of previously unknown organisms is essential to the process of drug discovery and successive drug design. The projects described below expose students to the latest in cutting-edge molecular, cellular and analytical technologies that are prerequisite for employment or future research in the biomedical and environmental sciences.
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Program 1: Genetics of neurotoxin biosynthesis
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A number of sophisticated but poorly understood mechanisms are involved in the production of microbial neurotoxins. These alkaloids are responsible for amnesic or paralytic shellfish poisoning, for example, are synthesised via a complicated multi-enzyme pathway. The isolation and characterisation of the genes involved in synthesis of these compounds from bacteria and algae is the first step in understanding the environmental signals that trigger toxin production and how we can use these enzymes to produce novel neuroactive drugs.
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Program 2: Molecular engineering of novel antibiotics
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Using natural products as a blueprint we are able to construct new pharmaceuticals with altered activity and specificity. In particular, the pathways for non-ribosomal peptides are being used as the basis for potential combinatorial biosyntheses. The range of possible new drugs is practically limitless. We are applying this proprietary technology to the design and production of new antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and antiviral compounds. This work is also closely coupled to the search and discovery of novel microorganisms and their natural products using Australian and Chinese traditional medicines.
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Program 3: Stromatolites and the origins of life
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Stromatolites represent a model for studying the origins and evolution life on our planet. They are geobiological structures composed of complex and diverse microbial communities. The study of microorganisms associated with these formations may also be applied to the existence of extraterrestrial life, particularly with the discovery of unique biosignatures. This project is part of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology and the NASA Institute for Astrobiology. Novel microorganisms are being investigated for their mechanisms of osmotolerance and other unique physiologies that allow adaptation to extreme habitats.
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Program 4: Toxicology of micropollutants and application to drug discovery
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The increasing contamination of freshwater systems with man-made and natural chemical compounds is a key environmental problem. The majority of potentially toxic chemicals found in the environment are present in small concentrations, hence known as micropollutants, and combined in complex and diverse mixtures whose effects are presently unknown. This research aims to evaluate complex mixtures of natural and anthropogenic chemicals (including pharmaceuticals) for their potential adverse health effects on humans and aquatic organisms. The technology used in this project also represents an emerging drug development and clinical trials strategy.
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| Project 5: Prokaryote-eukaryote symbiosis |
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This research involves studying symbiosis in a variety of systems. One of these is crops/microorgansisms. The objective of this research is to determine the usefulness of some cyanobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi in assisting crops to tolerate saline conditions. Research into bioamelioration of soil salinity in Australia could lead to increases in the areas of cropping land that had previously been lost to poor management practices. This program of research will involve a range of microbial culturing and genetic screening techniques for the selection of stable and advantageous symbiotic relationships.
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Project 6: Exploiting microbial physiologies in “biofactories”
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The nano-particulate membrane bioreactor (NMB) is a simple system for assembling biomass (fungal or bacterial) into a series of “gills” with nutrients trickling between two parallel ultra-porous membranes and biomass growing on the sides of the membranes in direct contact with the air. This enables cells to grow many times faster and to function many times better than the same cells in submerged culture. In conjunction with ANSTO and Australian Membrane Technologies Pty. Ltd. students in biotechnology and environmental microbiology will conduct proof-of-concept trials in applications such as benzene biodegradation, biosynthesis of enzymes, antibiotics and other secondary metabolites or wastewater treatment systems.
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