The evolution and maintenance of specificity, mutualism and diversity in plant-soil microbe interactions. This research will significantly advance knowledge regarding the evolution of mutualisms between plant and soil microbes. Results will provide valuable data on the importance of below-ground microbial community structure to growth and productivity of an ecologically important component of the Australian flora (Acacia spp.), and contribute to the development of best ecosystem restoration prac ....The evolution and maintenance of specificity, mutualism and diversity in plant-soil microbe interactions. This research will significantly advance knowledge regarding the evolution of mutualisms between plant and soil microbes. Results will provide valuable data on the importance of below-ground microbial community structure to growth and productivity of an ecologically important component of the Australian flora (Acacia spp.), and contribute to the development of best ecosystem restoration practices. Furthermore, it will see the continued development of the Acacia-rhizobia system as a world-class model for exploring interactions between perennial legumes and microbial symbionts. The research also investigates the adaptability and potential for rapid evolution of critical elements of the soil microflora to environmental change.Read moreRead less
Linking individual traits, the gut microbiome and parasite load in wildlife. This project aims to apply principles of community ecology to the gut microbiome of an urban exploiter – the common brushtail possum - to reveal how animal traits influence individual variation in the load of gut parasites that cause disease in both humans and wildlife. By combining assays defining the behavioural and physiological states of individuals with sophisticated analyses of their gut microbiome, our project wi ....Linking individual traits, the gut microbiome and parasite load in wildlife. This project aims to apply principles of community ecology to the gut microbiome of an urban exploiter – the common brushtail possum - to reveal how animal traits influence individual variation in the load of gut parasites that cause disease in both humans and wildlife. By combining assays defining the behavioural and physiological states of individuals with sophisticated analyses of their gut microbiome, our project will provide a new, yet crucial, perspective on how and why diseases spread. Our discoveries will help understand and manage the burden of infectious diseases from parasites in and beyond our cities and across the human-wildlife interface; essential for improving human and wildlife health in an increasingly urbanised Australia.Read moreRead less