Riti Mann

Master of Science in Microbiology

 

PhD candidate

 

 

We are what we eat: Identifying a regulatory crosstalk between central carbon metabolism and cell division in bacteria.

 

Growth and survival of all organisms is critically dependent on metabolic pathways to provide fuel. Although metabolism has been extensively researched for decades,  the complex degree to which metabolic pathways ‘communicate’ with other cellular pathways remains less understood. Specifically, cells must coordinate nutrient availability with frequency of cell division, chromosome replication and chromosome segregation, but still maintain proper coordination between these processes to ensure faithful cell proliferation.  

 

Recently, our lab has found the first link between cell division and central carbon metabolism in Bacillus subtilis.  Pyruvate, produced in the final step of glycolysis by the enzyme pyruvate kinase (pyk), was found to be a key metabolite in coordinating cell growth and division.  Further work showed that pyruvate levels are linked to Z-ring assembly (the first step of cell division) via an enzyme that metabolises pyruvate (E1? subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase; pdhA).  This protein localises over the nucleoid in a pyruvate-dependent manner and may stimulate more efficient Z-ring formation at midcell under nutrient-rich conditions.  

 

Pyruvate is the end product of glycolysis and a key metabolite at the intersection of several important pathways. Accordingly, there are a number of potential fates for pyruvate in vivo and we aim to  identify the metabolites and co-factors, derived from pyruvate, that are involved in coordinating bacterial division with metabolic activity and nutrient levels using high resolution microscopy techniques and genetic mutational studies. 

 

Ultimately this study aims to understand how bacterial cell division is regulated by nutrient availability and provide insights on how this occurs in pathogens, uncovering a new area of interest for possible exploitation for the development of antimicrobial agents.

 

1. Identify the metabolites and co-factors, derived from pyruvate, that are involved in coordinating bacterial division with metabolic activity and nutrient levels.

 

2. Identify other central carbon metabolism enzymes involved in the regulation of division by examining the effect of enzymatic loss-of-function mutations on Z ring assembly.

 

I have always been interested in doing good Science, instead of just going into the workforce and applying technical specialties. After doing a Masters and Bachelors in Microbiology, I found this area appealing to pursue a PhD degree. Then I started looking for places where I could do this, finally finding it at UTS. I enjoy the working atmosphere here at UTS, especially the project I am working on interests me a lot.

 

I work in Science laboratories, searching and reading literature related to my project, writing for my thesis, going to workshops and seminars organised by Graduate Research School, lab meeting presentations, presentations at local conferences and maybe a poster presentation. I enjoy going to social gatherings at UTS that are actually academic cum social gatherings. We discuss a lot about our projects and get some valuable suggestions. I also enjoy going to seminars and workshops outside UTS, around Sydney.

 

First and foremost is the project I am working on that attracted me the most. This is something I always wanted to pursue for my PhD, a mix of Microbiology, biochemistry and other applied areas of science.

 

Secondly, Sydney is one of the most liveable cities of the world for students.

 

Talking specifically about UTS, it offers a number of funding options to students. UTS is Australia's No. 1 young university, which it deserves in terms of infrastructure, planning, high tech building and the most important- innovative strategies. In fact, the Faculty of Science and Graduate School of Health Building is the winner of the NSW Government’s Green Globe Awards for “Excellence in sustainability - built environment sustainability”.

 

Apart from its impressive Australian and World ranking, UTS provides great assistance to students. Of course, the library is one of the best in Australia.

 

I want to continue in the area of research. I would like to direct my career towards a combo of teaching and research (may be a post doctoral position).