Overview

Microbes are powerful and ancient mini-machines that can thrive in the most extreme environments on earth, like in volcanos or ice-caves. Because of this tough training over time, microbes perform incredible feats that shape our world; from producing life-saving antibiotics to breaking down stubborn waste products like plastics or reducing atmospheric CO2.  

By understanding how microbes perform these valuable tasks, we can exploit them to make ground-breaking biotechnologies to improve our world. The key to harnessing the power of microbes is understanding their genes – the genetic blueprints that underpin these cellular processes. By using “functional genomics” techniques, we can link genes to their function and expose how microbes perform tasks.  

My research discovers microbial genes that allow natural degradation of plastic waste, and we use these genes in novel biotechnologies that can breakdown supermarket polyethylene bags or polyurethane foams. We also apply functional genomics to understand how microbes become resistant to antibiotics, so that we can cleverly design new, innovative antibiotics. Lastly, we have set up Australia’s first caterpillar research facility, as an efficient and ethical animal model alternative, to effectively test our biotechnologies and life-saving drugs in the body, moving them closer to market.

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