Steve Petrovski group
Microbial Genetics and Interactions
We investigate the biology of phages (i.e. viruses that specifically infect bacteria). The team also examines the ways in which bacterial populations can be manipulated to control the spread of resistant bacteria in human infections, animal infections and the environment.
Research by the team has expanded our understanding of the role of phages in human health and their impact on the microbiome, including in cardiovascular disease. The team is also analysing the mechanisms involved in the spread of mobile genetic elements that confer antibiotic resistance from one bacterial species to another. Understanding the mechanism of DNA dissemination among bacteria may provide us with solutions on how to limit the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains within the community and between bacteria of unrelated species.
HGT provides opportunities for bacterial evolution over long and short timespans. HGT has contributed to antimicrobial resistance amongst diverse, clinically significant, bacterial species, a situation that now threatens the usefulness of antimicrobials in the treatment of bacterial infections. We study plasmids, transposons and bacteriophages which are vital components of HGT.
Our research group uses molecular genetic techniques, transmission electron microscopy, next generation sequencing, microbiological techniques and CRISPR/cas9 gene editing. We also have state of the art equipment, e.g. Illumina MiSeq, Nanopore sequencing facility, bioprocessing fermenter and other equipment to perform genetic analysis.
Research areas
This project aims to isolate phages responsible for the lysis of probiotic bacteria in the gut. Our preliminary data suggests that guts from hypertensive mice have an over-abundance of phages that lyse the probiotic bacteria, Faecalibacterium.
We are currently trying to isolate phages from cultures of Faecalibacterium to prove that they are capable of disturbing the micriobiome and promoting hypertension in mice. Once this is established we then plan to devise strategies aimed at eliminating these phages from the gut environment in order to restore a healthy microbiome.
During routine screening of phages, our group serendipitously discovered at least five bacteria that behave like phages. These bacteria are small parasitic organisms that have lytic ability against their host bacteria, just like phages. This project aims to characterise the molecular mechanisms involved in the interactions of these parasitic bacteria with their hosts. Understanding these mechanism could lead to the development of novel antibiotic therapies for the treatment of human diseases.
This project investigates ways in which antibiotic resistance genes move from one bacterial cell to another. Antibiotic resistance genes are naturally found in certain bacteria and encode proteins that allow them to move from one cell to another. The project seeks to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the movement of such ‘mobile genetic elements’ and to determine ways in which we can prevent their movement. This could lead to novel ways to reduce the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains through the community.
Meet the team
PhD researchers:
- Jayson Rose
- Liana Theodoridis
- Mikaela Whitty
- Jed Chafer
- Jessica Owen
Honours researchers:
- Caroline Xavier
- Laura Viola