Prokaryotic dynamics

Project description

Swimming is the most immediately apparent behaviour of prokaryotes. The run and tumble chemotaxis of E. coli is the standard model for bacterial movement. Over the last 10 years my laboratory has shown that marine bacteria differ from the standard model in all parameters. The question we are addressing now is why do marine bacteria move the way they do? This question can be answered on multiple levels.

• At the molecular level, the answer lies in how and why genes are turned on and off.
• At the microbiological level, the answer lies in receptor sensitivity, motor speed and movement patterns.
• At the ecological level the answer lies in nutrient patchiness, competition and predation.

Students are encouraged to discuss developing projects at any one of these levels.

Note: You need to register interest in projects from different supervisors (not a number of projects with the one supervisor).
You must also contact each supervisor directly to discuss both the project details and your suitability to undertake the project.