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For further information, please contact Iain Duggin.
Our expertise:
- Recombinant DNA technology and protein overproduction/purification and functional analysis in prokaryotes. We have extensive skills in these techniques, with experience in working with a number of species, primarily E. coli and H. volcanii. We are actively developing new ways to use H. volcanii in research and biotechnology. H. volcanii offers excellent genetic control (after years of research by many of the pioneers of archaeal genetics), and its ability to thrive in high-salt conditions makes it highly suited as an expression system for proteins needing high-salt for solubility or function. We work with external organisations in this capacity.
- Flow cell-culture systems, for studying cellular physiology of infection of host cells by bacteria, or for time-lapse imaging of sub-cellular dynamics of microbes, or for cell-cycle synchronization (using the membrane-elution or "Baby Machine" technique; see image below).
- Live-cell Microscopy. We make extensive use of the impressive Microbial Imaging Facility (MIF) at UTS. We have developed new methods for the visualization of live archaea and bacteria (infecting host cells), and we use labeling technologies to make time-lapse movies that track the location and movement of cytoskeletal structures in relation to dynamic cell shape changes in live microbes.
- Protein structure and functional characterization
- We have established and manage the UTS:Science protein production and macromolecular crystallization facilities. These include research-scale incubator-shakers for protein production, GE AKTA Pure and Start chromatography systems with a wide range of high-quality columns for protein purification. The UTS Macromolecular Crystallization Facility includes liquid handling robotics and associated infrastructure for preparation of macromolecular crystals, including a Formulatrix NT-8 drop-setting robot, and the MIF Tecan 150 liquid handling robotics system for dispensing screens and preparation of concentration gradient plates for crystallization. The facility is based on knowledge established at the crystallization facility at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.
- We also utilize the Proteomics Core Facility at UTS.
- Flow cytometry and Coulter cytometry: (Below) Coulter cytometry is the best way to count cells in suspension, and measure cell volumes. The Beckman-Coulter M4, at UTS, can count and measure the volumes of 100,000 cells in 1 minute! (below)
Fluorescence microscopy (right): Our research has contributed significantly to the development of Haloferax volcanii as a great model organism, by establishing cell biology methods, particularly for microscopy. Its large, flattened cells, which show remarkable dynamic shape changes, are very well suited to high-resolution microscopy. It was already a well-established model system for archaeal genetics. H. volcanii is from the Archaea domain, a relatively poorly understood branch of the tree of life that has great potential in biotechnology.
The Baby Machine (right) in action, with a custom-build incubator for placement in a Class II containment hood. How it works: Cells on the membrane surface in the Baby Machine divide, which releases "newborn" cells that are collected. These cells are therefore synchronized at the start of the cell cycle - they can be grown for various times for cell cycle analysis. This method is gentle on cells and avoids the major problems with methods that rely on cell cycle arrest.
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