Understanding the mechanism by which IFNa treatment leads to removal of the HCV virus from an infected cell is of interest to Associate Professor Peter White.
Marine Microbial Seasonality, Connectivity and the Role of the 'Rare' Biosphere
Marine microbial communities (comprising Archaea, Bacteria and Eucarya) are intricately linked to global ecosystems. These organisms perform ~50% of global primary production and mediate processes that drive coastal and open ocean biogeochemical cycles, including the flux of particulate carbon to the deep ocean. Thus, microbes control the fundamental energy base upon which all higher trophic levels depend and modulate the biological ocean carbon pump that helps regulate Earth's climate.
Multiple projects are available based around a newly initiated Marine Microbial Time-Series off coastal Sydney. You will use cutting edge molecular methods to identify patterns in microbial community structure over space and time, and correlate changes to oceanographic conditions. Sampling is carried out as part of the Port Hacking marine time series, one of the oldest ongoing sites of oceanographic data collection in the world. We are particularly interested in defining the phylogenetic identity and physiological role the “rare” biosphere plays in biogeochemical cycling. All data will be compared to data from the San Pedro Ocean Time-Series located off the Los Angeles coast, to identify commonalities in community assemblage, and the impact of basin scale climatic forces such as El nino/La nina cycles.
BABS personnel that are responsible for this project