Study level
- Honours
Faculty/School
Faculty of Health
Topic status
We're looking for students to study this topic.
Supervisors
- Position
- Associate Professor
- Division / Faculty
- Faculty of Health
- 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
You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.
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Keywords
Contact
Contact the supervisor for more information.