Microbial morphology and development

Research theme leader: Associate Professor Iain Duggin

Research fellows and group leaders: Dr Bill Soderstrom, Dr Yan Liao

Current projects: Metagenomics based diagnostics to control urinary tract infections

Recent news:
Bacteria’s shapeshifting behaviour clue to new UTI therapies
New insights from the ancients of the microscopic world

The shape and size of microbes can adapt and change under different conditions, including during human infections. These changes can protect microbes from their hostile environments. Understanding microbial morphology enables a better understanding of microbial physiology and disease mechanisms, and can lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of pathogenic microbes or allow us to better use microbes for industrial purposes.

AIMI’s Microbial morphology and development research group is working to understand and use the developmental processes of bacterial and archaeal cells, particularly the mechanisms and regulation of cell morphology and division in model organisms such as Escherichia coli (specifically uropathogenic E. coli or UPEC) and Haloferax volcanii.

The team is also developing experimental systems and biotechnology solutions to address problems linked to microbial growth and development. These problems range from human and agricultural infectious diseases to GHG emissions and climate change.