A5035005640- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Bee Products Chemical Analysis
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
- Bacterial Infections and Vaccines
- Cell Image Analysis Techniques
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Malaria Research and Control
- Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Biochemical and Structural Characterization
- Healthcare and Venom Research
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Micro and Nano Robotics
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Slime Mold and Myxomycetes Research
University of East Anglia
2019-2024
Norwich Research Park
2019-2024
Quadram Institute
2019-2024
University of Technology Sydney
2014-2023
Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering
2023
Nanyang Technological University
2023
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
2023
Agriculture and Food
2023
La Trobe University
2021
CSIRO Manufacturing
2018
Bacterial biofilms are structured communities of cells enclosed in self-produced hydrated polymeric matrix adherent to an inert or living surface ([1][1]). Formation these sessile and their inherent resistance antibiotics host immune attack at the root many persistent
Abstract Many bacteria produce extracellular and surface-associated components such as membrane vesicles (MVs), DNA moonlighting cytosolic proteins for which the biogenesis export pathways are not fully understood. Here we show that explosive cell lysis of a sub-population cells accounts liberation content in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Super-resolution microscopy reveals also produces shattered fragments rapidly form MVs. A prophage endolysin encoded within R- F-pyocin gene cluster is...
Gram-negative bacterial peptidoglycan is specifically recognized by the host intracellular sensor NOD1, resulting in generation of innate immune responses. Although epithelial cells are normally refractory to external stimulation with peptidoglycan, these have been shown respond a NOD1-dependent manner pathogens that can either invade or secrete factors into cells. In present work, we report bacteria deliver cytosolic NOD1 via novel mechanism involving outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). We...
When grown as a biofilm in laboratory flow chambers Pseudomonas aeruginosa can develop mushroom-shaped multicellular structures consisting of distinct subpopulations the cap and stalk portions. We have previously presented evidence that formation portion P. biofilms occurs via bacterial migration depends on type IV pili (Mol Microbiol 50: 61-68). In present study we examine additional factors involved this substructure. While pilA mutants, lacking pili, are deficient mushroom formation, pilH...
Abstract Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are extracellular sacs containing biologically active products, such as proteins, cell wall components and toxins. OMVs reported to contain DNA, however, little is known about the nature of this nor whether it can be transported into host cells. Our work demonstrates that chromosomal DNA packaged shed by bacteria during exponential phase. Most was present on external surfaces OMVs, with smaller amounts located internally. The within internal...
Twitching motility-mediated biofilm expansion is a complex, multicellular behavior that enables the active colonization of surfaces by many species bacteria. In this study we have explored emergence intricate network patterns interconnected trails form in actively expanding biofilms Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We used high-resolution, phase-contrast time-lapse microscopy and developed sophisticated computer vision algorithms to track analyze individual cell movements during P. aeruginosa...
Klebsiella pneumoniae causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly amongst hospitalized individuals. The principle mechanism for pathogenesis in hospital environments involves the formation of biofilms, primarily on implanted medical devices. In this study, we constructed a transposon mutant library clinical isolate, K. AJ218, to identify genes pathways implicated biofilm formation. Three mutants severely defective contained insertions within mrkABCDF encoding main...
Super resolution three-dimensional imaging reveals a new picture of how bacterial cell division proteins localize to the site, including formation dynamic bead-like patterns, and explains ring constricts.
Summary Virulence of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa involves coordinate expression a wide range virulence factors including type IV pili which are required for colonization host tissues and associated with form surface translocation termed twitching motility. Twitching motility in P. is controlled by complex signal transduction pathway shares many modules common chemosensory systems controlling flagella rotation bacteria composed, part, previously described proteins PilG,...
Twitching motility is a form of solid surface translocation which occurs in wide range bacteria and dependent on the presence functional type IV fimbriae or pili. A detailed examination twitching Pseudomonas aeruginosa under optimal conditions vitro was carried out. Under these (at smooth formed between semi-solid growth media plastic glass surfaces) extremely rapid, leading to an overall radial rate colony expansion 0.6 mm h(-1) greater. The zones due are very thin best visualized by...
ABSTRACT Type IV pili of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa mediate twitching motility and act as receptors for bacteriophage infection. They are also important bacterial adhesins, nonpiliated mutants P. have been shown to cause less epithelial cell damage in vitro decreased virulence animal models. This finding raises question whether reduction cytotoxicity primarily due defects adhesion or loss motility, both. work describes role PilT PilU, putative nucleotide-binding...
ABSTRACT Vfr, a homolog of Escherichia coli cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein, has been shown to regulate quorum sensing, exotoxin A production, and regA transcription in Pseudomonas aeruginosa . We identified twitching motility-defective mutant that carries transposon insertion vfr confirmed is required for motility by construction an independent allelic deletion-replacement exhibited the same phenotype, as well restoration normal complementation these mutants with wild-type Vfr-null...
In vertebrates, two condensin complexes exist, I and II, which have differing but unresolved roles in organizing mitotic chromosomes. To accurately dissect the role of each complex mitosis, we made studied first vertebrate conditional knockouts subunit CAP-H II CAP-D3 chicken DT40 cells. Live-cell imaging reveals highly distinct segregation defects. CAP-D3/condensin KO results masses chromatin forming anaphase bridges. CAP-H/condensin anaphases a more subtle defect, with chromatids showing...
Biofilm tolerance has become a serious clinical concern in the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia owing to resistance various antibiotics. There is an urgent need develop alternative antimicrobial agents or combination drug therapies that are effective via different mechanisms. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been developed as anti-biofilm agent for infections associated with use mechanical ventilations, such endotracheal intubation. Meanwhile curcumin, phenolic plant extract, displayed...
Background. Throughout Asia, there is an unprecedented link between cholangiocarcinoma and infection with the liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini. Multiple processes, including chronic inflammation secretion of parasite proteins into biliary epithelium, drive toward cancer. Until now, mechanism effects protein entry cholangiocytes was unknown.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infection is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Various vitro models have been developed to study P. pathobiology CF lung. In this we produced a modified artificial-sputum medium (ASMDM) more closely resembling sputum than previous models, extended work by using strain PAO1 arrays examine global transcription profiles UCBPP-PA14 under early exponential-phase stationary-phase growth. exponential phase, 38/39...
Helminth pathogens prepare a Th2 type immunological environment in their hosts to ensure longevity. They achieve this by secreting molecules that not only actively drive 2 responses but also suppress 1 responses. Here, we show the major cysteine proteases secreted from helminth Fasciola hepatica (FheCL1) and Schistosoma mansoni (SmCB1) protect mice lethal effects of lipopolysaccharide preventing release inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha,...
Skin and chronic wound infections caused by highly antibiotic resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are an increasing urgent health problem worldwide, particularly with sharp increases in obesity diabetes. New Zealand manuka honey has potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, been shown to inhibit the growth of MRSA strains, this have not obtainable laboratory. Combinational treatment wounds common antibiotics may offer a wide range advantages...
Chronic wounds are a major global health problem. Their management is difficult and costly, the development of antibiotic resistance by both planktonic biofilm-associated bacteria necessitates use alternative wound treatments. Honey now being revisited as an treatment due to its broad-spectrum antibacterial activity inability develop it. Many previous studies have used honeys that not well characterized, even in terms quantifying levels components present, making it build evidence base for...
Treatment of chronic wounds is becoming increasingly difficult due to antibiotic resistance. Complex natural products with antimicrobial activity, such as honey, are now under the spotlight alternative treatments antibiotics. Several studies have shown honey broad-spectrum antibacterial activity at concentrations present in dressings, and resistance has not been attainable laboratory. However all honeys same few used that well defined both geographic chemical terms. Here we a range clover...
The most virulent of the human malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum, undergoes a remarkable morphological transformation as it prepares itself for sexual reproduction and transmission via mosquitoes. Indeed P. falciparum is named unique falciform or crescent shape mature stages. Once metamorphosis completed gametocyte releases from sequestration sites enters circulation making accessible to feeding Early ultrastructural studies showed that elongation driven by assembly system flattened...