Characterisation of a novel DMSP synthesis pathway in marine bacteria (TODD_U17DTP1)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Graduate Office
Abstract
Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is one of the Earth's most abundant organosulfur compounds. It is an antistress compound with key roles in global nutrient and sulfur cycling, signaling and climate. It was thought that only marine eukaryotes produce DMSP, but we have shown that many marine heterotrophic bacteria also produce DMSP. We have identified the first genes for DMSP synthesis in these bacteria allowing this PhD to explore new exciting molecular ventures into how and why microbes produce DMSP.
The PhD: The project will use marine bacteria that produce high cellular levels of DMSP as models to investigate the process. The student will be taught how to grow and study the physiology of model marine bacteria. Using analytical chemistry, they will establish and characterise the bacterial DMSP biosynthetic pathway. Molecular genetics will be used to validate and mutate the key DMSP synthesis genes to confirm their role in this process. The student will study whether environmental conditions affect DMSP production and the transcription of the DMSP synthesis genes to potentially determine the role/s of DMSP in our model bacteria. Finally, using molecular ecology tools, the student will monitor DMSP production, the diversity and abundance of DMSP-producing bacteria and the key bacterial synthesis genes in natural marine environments. For this training will be provided in metagenomics, the use of gene probes and environmental sampling. This PhD will strengthen our ability to assess the effects of e.g., climate change on DMSP cycling, and the significance of bacterial DMSP production.
The PhD: The project will use marine bacteria that produce high cellular levels of DMSP as models to investigate the process. The student will be taught how to grow and study the physiology of model marine bacteria. Using analytical chemistry, they will establish and characterise the bacterial DMSP biosynthetic pathway. Molecular genetics will be used to validate and mutate the key DMSP synthesis genes to confirm their role in this process. The student will study whether environmental conditions affect DMSP production and the transcription of the DMSP synthesis genes to potentially determine the role/s of DMSP in our model bacteria. Finally, using molecular ecology tools, the student will monitor DMSP production, the diversity and abundance of DMSP-producing bacteria and the key bacterial synthesis genes in natural marine environments. For this training will be provided in metagenomics, the use of gene probes and environmental sampling. This PhD will strengthen our ability to assess the effects of e.g., climate change on DMSP cycling, and the significance of bacterial DMSP production.
Organisations
Publications
Williams BT
(2019)
Bacteria are important dimethylsulfoniopropionate producers in coastal sediments.
in Nature microbiology
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M011216/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
1937552 | Studentship | BB/M011216/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/06/2023 | Kasha Cowles |
Description | Invited Oral presentation at Microbiology Society Annual meeting, April 2020, Edinburgh.The title of the talk was "Molecular insights into marine organosulfur cycling" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Prof Jon Todd presented research from his groups work as an invited speaker at the Microbiology Society Annual conference 2020 in Edinburgh. The title of the talk was "Molecular insights into marine organosulfur cycling". |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Led a team of students to perform market research |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Prof. Todd and Dr Bermejo Martinez led a team of students to perform market research on the project 'High-value chemicals from seaweed' as part of iTeams competition funded by East of England 'Enabling Innovation: Research to Application' (EIRA). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Maintaining a 'Jonathan Todd Research Group' twitter page |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We run a popular twitter group @ToddLabUEA where we post updates on our awards and successes, as well as retweet interesting or relevant articles and messages from other twitter accounts. We currently have 202 followers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://twitter.com/ToddLabUEA |
Description | Oral presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Oral presentation to be delivered at Microbiology Society Annual Conference 2020. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Public outreach event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We created an interactive stand based on our research for the general public with activities they could partake in. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | School visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I ran a workshop for 2 reception classes on Microbiology. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | School visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I arranged a day of workshops for a Primary school were the children could take part in hands on experiments which linked to the work being carried out by researchers at the University. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |