Study level

  • Honours
  • Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty/School

Faculty of Health

School of Biomedical Sciences

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Centre for Microbiome Research

Supervisors

Associate Professor Simon McIlroy
Position
Associate Professor
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health
Professor Gene Tyson
Position
Professor and Australian Laureate Fellow
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health

Overview

The archaeal lineage Methanoperedenaceae are anaerobic methanotrophs with a key role in mitigating the atmospheric release of the potent greenhouse gas methane. The metabolic diversity of these microorganisms directly links methane with several key biochemical cycles and suggests a remarkable ability of these microorganisms to adapt to diverse environmental conditions.

These microorganisms have never been grown in a laboratory and have only been studied in enrichment cultures with several other partner microorganisms. How these microorganisms grow and interact with these bacterial partners requires microscopy-based visualization methods and is key to understanding their metabolisms and lifestyles.

The aim of this project is to visualize these microorganisms within their natural environment (freshwater sediments) for the very first time.

Research activities

The applicant will be using molecular fluorescence-based methods (fluorescence in situ hybridization; FISH) to specifically tag microorganisms within complex microbial communities consisting of thousands of other species. These microorganisms will then be visualized with confocal microscopy.

Outcomes

The project will uncover the appearance and spatial arrangement of the cells of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea within their natural environment for the first time. This will include their proximity and attachment to microbial partners and the sample matrix (i.e. soil particles). The data generated in this work will form part of a publication in an international journal.

Skills and experience

The applicant should have a general interest in microbiology and basic laboratory skills (i.e. how to use a pipette).

Scholarships

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Keywords

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.