Metagenomics and the genetic basis of ecology and evolution of communities - complex microbial communities in industrial processes as excellent paradigms. Benefits accrue on two fronts: the international reputation of Australian science in contributing significantly to two new, challenging and highly topical questions in ecology and evolution, and in pioneering a route to better efficiency and control of an important industrial process. Wastewater is rich in organic phosphorus that is damaging t ....Metagenomics and the genetic basis of ecology and evolution of communities - complex microbial communities in industrial processes as excellent paradigms. Benefits accrue on two fronts: the international reputation of Australian science in contributing significantly to two new, challenging and highly topical questions in ecology and evolution, and in pioneering a route to better efficiency and control of an important industrial process. Wastewater is rich in organic phosphorus that is damaging to the environment if untreated, but current understanding enables only rudimentary control of the microbial communities that are the basis of the treatment process. The work will provide unprecedented insight into the mechanisms underpinning the dynamics of phosphorus absorbing microbes in industrial facilities by integrating from gene-to-ecosystem.Read moreRead less
Interspecies electron transfer in biotechnology. While the project is fundamental in nature, it has direct technological gains to a wide range of biotechnology processes, and in particular, mixed culture anaerobic biotechnology. It therefore promotes Australian bioenergy, biofuel, and commodity renewable chemicals industries, and contributes to the national research priority of an Environmentally Sustainable Australia. In addition, this is a fast moving, high impact area that will demonstrate e ....Interspecies electron transfer in biotechnology. While the project is fundamental in nature, it has direct technological gains to a wide range of biotechnology processes, and in particular, mixed culture anaerobic biotechnology. It therefore promotes Australian bioenergy, biofuel, and commodity renewable chemicals industries, and contributes to the national research priority of an Environmentally Sustainable Australia. In addition, this is a fast moving, high impact area that will demonstrate excellence in Australian research on an international scale. The exciting multidisciplinary nature of the project, excellent management team, and high-class partners will also provide for an excellent experience for the three PhD candidates to be educated through the project.Read moreRead less