Evolution of diverse symbiotic phenotypes among native soil bacteria following spread of a genomic island from a rhizobial inoculant. The quality of legume protein depends on symbiotic nitrogen fixation by root nodule bacteria (RNB). Sustainable legume production in Australian agriculture depends on legume inoculation with effective strains of these bacteria. Unfortunately inoculant strains transfer DNA to other soil bacteria resulting in soil populations of RNB that compete for nodulation but a ....Evolution of diverse symbiotic phenotypes among native soil bacteria following spread of a genomic island from a rhizobial inoculant. The quality of legume protein depends on symbiotic nitrogen fixation by root nodule bacteria (RNB). Sustainable legume production in Australian agriculture depends on legume inoculation with effective strains of these bacteria. Unfortunately inoculant strains transfer DNA to other soil bacteria resulting in soil populations of RNB that compete for nodulation but are less effective in nitrogen fixation. This transfer of DNA threatens a $2 billion asset in Australian agriculture. We will use molecular microbial ecology to investigate the mechanisms of genetic transfer of symbiotic DNA in RNB, and use this knowledge to prevent it.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100388
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,977.00
Summary
Ecological and phylogenomic insights into infectious diseases in animals. This project aims to address major knowledge gaps in our understanding of Clostridium difficile, a leading cause of severe gastrointestinal disease in animals. The project is expected to define the epidemiology of C. difficile infection in Australian horses, characterise the genetic and phenotypic traits of C. difficile strains causing equine disease and develop a new tool for enhanced genomic tracking of C. difficile in a ....Ecological and phylogenomic insights into infectious diseases in animals. This project aims to address major knowledge gaps in our understanding of Clostridium difficile, a leading cause of severe gastrointestinal disease in animals. The project is expected to define the epidemiology of C. difficile infection in Australian horses, characterise the genetic and phenotypic traits of C. difficile strains causing equine disease and develop a new tool for enhanced genomic tracking of C. difficile in animals. These outcomes will support strategies by the veterinary sector to improve the detection, prevention and control of C. difficile infections in animals, providing long-term socio-economic benefits arising from reduced incidence and mortality associated with C. difficile infections in Australian horses and livestock.Read moreRead less
Harnessing horizontal gene transfer for sustainable nitrogen fixation. This project aims to investigate natural deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) transfer from nitrogen-fixing bacteria to indigenous bacteria in Australian soils. This project expects to significantly expand our understanding of the molecular and genetic factors contributing to the evolution of ineffective symbiotic bacteria in these soils. An expected outcome of this project is support development of genetically stable bacterial inocul ....Harnessing horizontal gene transfer for sustainable nitrogen fixation. This project aims to investigate natural deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) transfer from nitrogen-fixing bacteria to indigenous bacteria in Australian soils. This project expects to significantly expand our understanding of the molecular and genetic factors contributing to the evolution of ineffective symbiotic bacteria in these soils. An expected outcome of this project is support development of genetically stable bacterial inoculants for use in agriculture. Inoculation of legumes with nitrogen-fixing symbiotic bacteria is a cheap and environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical fertilisers and contributes $3-4 billion per annum to Australian economy.Read moreRead less