Microbial Research

Microbial Research Scientists

By far the most common organisms on earth are microbes; bacteria, fungi and Archaea and viruses.

Genetics Otago researchers study all aspects of the biology of these organisms. These researchers are involved in virus research, studying how viruses interact with other organisms, how they interact with the immune system and how they might be harnessed to deliver health benefits.

Many Genetics Otago researchers focus on the physiology, genetic and molecular biology of microbes particularly focusing on the way that genes are regulated in microbes in response to the environment, both in pathogenic organisms and in microbes that form interactions with plants.

Genetics Otago researchers also study horizontal transmission in microbes, having identified both symbiosis islands and cases of horizontal transmission of transposable elements and inteins.

Research into fungi is also carried out by Genetics Otago members, aiming to determine the relationships between fungal species, the molecular genetics of fungi and developing novel ways to combat fungal infections.