A5051712115- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Advanced Chemical Physics Studies
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Hemoglobin structure and function
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies
- Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioremediation
- Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
- Diphtheria, Corynebacterium, and Tetanus
- Probiotics and Fermented Foods
- Enterobacteriaceae and Cronobacter Research
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Microbial Metabolism and Applications
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
- Electron and X-Ray Spectroscopy Techniques
- Catalytic Processes in Materials Science
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
University of Strathclyde
2014-2024
University of Suffolk
2024
Aberystwyth University
2020
Norwich Research Park
2007-2011
John Innes Centre
2004-2011
University of Liverpool
1995-2004
The regulatory protein NsrR, a member of the Rrf2 family transcription repressors, is specifically dedicated to sensing nitric oxide (NO) in variety pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. It has been proposed that NO directly modulates NsrR activity by interacting with predicted [Fe-S] cluster protein, but no experimental evidence published support this hypothesis. Here we report purification from obligate aerobe Streptomyces coelicolor. We demonstrate using UV-visible, near UV CD EPR...
The International Pseudomonas aeruginosa Consortium is sequencing over 1000 genomes and building an analysis pipeline for the study of genome evolution, antibiotic resistance virulence genes. Metadata, including genomic phenotypic data each isolate collection, are available through Database (http://ipcd.ibis.ulaval.ca/). Here, we present our strategy results that emerged from first 389 genomes. With as yet unmatched resolution, confirm P. strains can be divided into three major groups...
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the main cause of fatal chronic lung infections among individuals suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). During past 15 years, particularly aggressive strains transmitted CF patients have been identified, initially in Europe and more recently Canada. The aim this study was to generate high-quality genome sequences for 7 isolates Liverpool epidemic strain (LES) United Kingdom Canada representing different virulence characteristics order to: (1) associate comparative...
Lectin-like bacteriocins consist of tandem monocot mannose-binding domains and display a genus-specific killing activity. Here we show that pyocin L1, novel member this family from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, targets susceptible strains species through recognition the common polysaccharide antigen (CPA) P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide is predominantly homopolymer d-rhamnose. Structural biophysical analyses CPA occurs C-terminal carbohydrate-binding domain L1 interaction prerequisite for...
Staphylococcus aureus infections are a cause of significant morbidity and mortality, in addition to representing considerable economic burden. The aim this study was explore low cost screen printed electrode as sensor for the detection S. using impedance spectroscopy. incubated chambers containing electrodes results analysed novel normalisation approach. These show that it is possible detect presence LB media after 30 min incubation 1% growth culture, being able see immediate cell...
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen, especially in the context of infections cystic fibrosis (CF). In order to facilitate coordinated study this international reference panel P. isolates was assembled. Here we report genome sequencing and analysis 33 these 7 genomes further characterise panel. Core single nucleotide variant phylogeny demonstrated that strains are widely distributed amongst population. Common loss-of-function mutations reported as adaptive during CF...
Increasing rates of antibiotic resistance among Gram-negative pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa means alternative approaches to development are urgently required. Pyocins, produced by P. for intraspecies competition, highly potent protein antibiotics known actively translocate across the outer membrane aeruginosa. Understanding and exploiting mechanisms which pyocins target, penetrate kill is a promising approach development. In this work we show therapeutic potential newly identified...
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen particularly associated with the inherited disease cystic fibrosis (CF). well known to have large and adaptable genome that enables it colonise wide range of ecological niches. Here, we used comparative genomics approach identify changes occur during infection CF lung. We mucoid phenotype as an obvious marker host adaptation compared these genomes analyse SNPs, indels islands within near-isogenic pairs. To commence correction...
We report the draft genome sequence of human pathogen Streptomyces somaliensis (DSM 40738), a within genus largely saprophytic organisms. S. causes severe and debilitating deep tissue bone infections. The is deposited in DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank with accession number AJJM01000000.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is a powerful technique that can be used to elicit information about an electrode interface. In this article, we highlight six principal processes by which the presence of microorganisms affect impedance and show how one these - production electroactive metabolites changes signature culture media containing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. EIS, was in conjunction with low cost screen printed carbon sensor detect P. aeruginosa when grown isolation or as...
The NorR regulatory protein senses nitric oxide (NO) to activate genes required for NO detoxification under anaerobic and microaerobic conditions in Escherichia coli. belongs the sigma(54)-dependent family of transcriptional activators contains an N-terminal GAF (cGMP phosphodiesterase, adenylate cyclase, FhlA) domain that controls ATPase activity central AAA+ regulate productive interactions with sigma(54). Binding a non-heme iron center results formation mononitrosyl-iron complex releases...
The Escherichia coli nitric oxide sensor NorR was shown to bind the promoter region of norVW transcription unit, forming at least two distinct complexes detectable by gel retardation. Three binding sites for and integration host factor were identified in norR-norV intergenic region. derived consensus sequence used search novel members E. regulon show that are partially conserved other proteobacteria.
The bacterial activator protein NorR binds to enhancer-like elements, upstream of the promoter site, and activates σ54-dependent transcription genes that encode nitric oxide detoxifying enzymes (NorVW), in response NO stress. Unique norVW Escherichia coli is presence three enhancer sites associated with a binding site for σ54-RNA polymerase. Here we show all are required NorR-dependent catalysis open complex formation by σ54-RNAP holoenzyme (Eσ54). We demonstrate this essentially due need...
Recent advances in the methodology and application of ultrafast two-dimensional infrared (2D-IR) spectroscopy to biomolecular systems are reviewed. A description 2D-IR technique molecular contributions observed spectra presented followed by a discussion recent literature relating use associated approaches for measuring protein dynamics. In particular, these include diatomic ligand groups haem dynamics, isotopic labelling strategies vibrational probe groups. The final section reports on...
The Liverpool epidemic strain (LES) is an important transmissible clonal lineage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that chronically infects the lungs people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Previous studies have focused on genomics LES in a limited number isolates, mostly from one CF centre UK, and highlighting identification Canada. Here we significantly extend current genome database by sequencing 91 isolates multiple centres across describe comparative this large collection UK Phylogenetic analysis...
The ultrafast equilibrium fluctuations of the Fe(III)-NO complex a single point mutation Myoglobin (H64Q) have been studied using Fourier Transform 2D-IR spectroscopy. Comparison with data from wild type (wt-Mb) shows presence two conformational substates mutant haem pocket where only one exists in form. One exhibits an almost identical NO stretching frequency and spectral diffusion dynamics to wt-Mb while other is distinctly different both respects. remarkably contrasting are largely...
Determining the chemical and structural modifications occurring within a protein during fundamental processes such as ligand or substrate binding is essential to building up complete picture of biological function. Currently, significant unanswered questions relate way in which dynamics fit structure–function relationship functional role, if any, bound water molecules active site. Addressing these requires multidisciplinary approach complementary experimental techniques that, combination,...