Associate Professor Nick Heng
| Position | Associate Professor |
|---|---|
| Department | Department of Oral Sciences |
| Qualifications | BSc(Hons) PhD |
| Research summary | Microbial genetics, next-generation DNA sequencing technology and bioinformatics |
| Teaching |
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| Memberships |
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Research
Nick's research expertise is in the field of molecular microbiology specialising in the following areas:
- The use of next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) technology (and associated bioinformatic strategies) for microbial genomics (whole-genome sequencing)
- The use of NGS to investigate changes in oral microbial populations in relation to health and disease, and
- Biochemical and genetic characterisation of antimicrobial proteins (bacteriocins) produced by oral bacteria, mainly members of the genus Streptococcus
Nick's current research activities include whole-genome sequencing, oral metagenomics (characterisation of the oral microbiota in health and disease), and bioinformatic analyses, all in relation to oral biology.
Publications
Christophers, M., Heng, L., & Heng, N. (2023). Nisin E, a new nisin variant produced by Streptococcus equinus MDC1. Applied Sciences, 13, 1186. doi: 10.3390/app13021186
Seymour, G. J., Cullinan, M. P., Heng, N. C. K., & Cooper, P. R. (Eds.). (2023). Oral biology: Molecular techniques and applications: Methods in molecular biology (Vol. 2588) (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Springer, 528p. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2780-8
Heng, N. C. K., & Stanton, J.-A. L. (2023). The long and short of genome sequencing: Using a hybrid sequencing strategy to sequence oral microbial genomes. In G. J. Seymour, M. P. Cullinan, N. C. K. Heng & P. R. Cooper (Eds.), Oral biology: Molecular techniques and applications: Methods in molecular biology (Vol. 2588). (3rd ed.) (pp. 75-89). New York, NY: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2780-8_6
Benn, A. M. L., Heng, N. C. K., Thomson, W. M., & Broadbent, J. M. (2022). Plaque and dental caries risk in mid-life. Caries Research, 56, 464-476. doi: 10.1159/000527255
Ratnayake, J., Veerasamy, A., Ahmed, H., Coburn, D., Loch, C., Gray, A. R., Lyons, K. M., Heng, N. C. K., Cannon, R. D., … Brunton, P. A. (2022). Clinical and microbiological evaluation of a chlorhexidine-modified glass ionomer cement (GIC-CHX) restoration placed using the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) technique. Materials, 15, 5044. doi: 10.3390/ma15145044
Seymour, G. J., Cullinan, M. P., Heng, N. C. K., & Cooper, P. R. (Eds.). (2023). Oral biology: Molecular techniques and applications: Methods in molecular biology (Vol. 2588) (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Springer, 528p. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2780-8
Edited Book - Research
Seymour, G. J., Cullinan, M. P., & Heng, N. C. K. (Eds.). (2017). Oral biology: Molecular techniques and applications: Methods in molecular biology (Vol. 1537) (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer, 503p. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6685-1
Edited Book - Research
Seymour, G. J., Cullinan, M. P., & Heng, N. C. K. (Eds.). (2010). Oral Biology. New York: Springer, 360p.
Edited Book - Research
Heng, N. C. K., & Stanton, J.-A. L. (2023). The long and short of genome sequencing: Using a hybrid sequencing strategy to sequence oral microbial genomes. In G. J. Seymour, M. P. Cullinan, N. C. K. Heng & P. R. Cooper (Eds.), Oral biology: Molecular techniques and applications: Methods in molecular biology (Vol. 2588). (3rd ed.) (pp. 75-89). New York, NY: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2780-8_6
Chapter in Book - Research
Hale, J. D. F., Wescombe, P. A., Tagg, J. R., & Heng, N. C. K. (2016). Streptococcal bacteriocin-producing strains as oral probiotic agents. In R. L. Dorit, S. M. Roy & M. A. Riley (Eds.), The bacteriocins: Current knowledge and future prospects. (pp. 103-126). Poole, UK: Caister Academic Press. doi: 10.21775/9781910190371.06
Chapter in Book - Research
Heng, N. C. K., & Stanton, J.-A. L. (2010). Oral bacterial genome sequencing using the high-throughput Roche Genome Sequencer FLX System. In G. J. Seymour, M. P. Cullinan & N. C. K. Heng (Eds.), Oral Biology. (pp. 197-218). New York: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-60761-820-1_14
Chapter in Book - Research
Heng, N. C. K., Wescombe, P. A., Burton, J. P., Jack, R. W., & Tagg, J. R. (2007). The diversity of bacteriocins in gram-positive bacteria. In M. A. Riley & M. A. Chavan (Eds.), Bacteriocins: Ecology and evolution. (pp. 45-92). Berlin, Germany: Springer.
Chapter in Book - Research
Heng, N. C. K., & Jack, R. W. (2006). Microcins. In A. J. Kastin (Ed.), Handbook of biologically active peptides. (pp. 75-82). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Chapter in Book - Research
Wescombe, P. A., Heng, N. C. K., Jack, R. W., & Tagg, J. R. (2005). Bacteriocins associated with cytotoxicity for eukaryotic cells. In T. Proft (Ed.), Microbial toxins: Molecular and cellular biology. (pp. 399-448). Norfolk, England: Horizon Bioscience.
Chapter in Book - Research
Christophers, M., Heng, L., & Heng, N. (2023). Nisin E, a new nisin variant produced by Streptococcus equinus MDC1. Applied Sciences, 13, 1186. doi: 10.3390/app13021186
Journal - Research Article
Benn, A. M. L., Heng, N. C. K., Thomson, W. M., & Broadbent, J. M. (2022). Plaque and dental caries risk in mid-life. Caries Research, 56, 464-476. doi: 10.1159/000527255
Journal - Research Article
Benn, A. M. L., Heng, N. C. K., Thomson, W. M., Sissons, C. H., Gellen, L. S., Gray, A. R., & Broadbent, J. M. (2022). Associations of sex, oral hygiene and smoking with oral species in distinct habitats at age 32 years. European Journal of Oral Sciences, 130, e12829. doi: 10.1111/eos.12829
Journal - Research Article
Ratnayake, J., Veerasamy, A., Ahmed, H., Coburn, D., Loch, C., Gray, A. R., Lyons, K. M., Heng, N. C. K., Cannon, R. D., … Brunton, P. A. (2022). Clinical and microbiological evaluation of a chlorhexidine-modified glass ionomer cement (GIC-CHX) restoration placed using the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) technique. Materials, 15, 5044. doi: 10.3390/ma15145044
Journal - Research Article
Heng, N. C. K., & Stanton, J.-A. L. (2020). Next-generation DNA sequencing of oral microbes at the Sir John Walsh Research Institute: Technologies, tools and achievements. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 50(1), 91-107. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2019.1687530
Journal - Research Article
Benic, G. Z., Farella, M., Morgan, X. C., Viswam, J., Heng, N. C., Cannon, R. D., & Mei, L. (2019). Oral probiotics reduce halitosis in patients wearing orthodontic braces: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Breath Research, 13, 036010. doi: 10.1088/1752-7163/ab1c81
Journal - Research Article
Sartonoa, G., Rizqiyah, I., Asmarinah, A., Heng, N. C. K., & Malik, A. (2019). Three bacteriocin peptides from a lactic acid bacterium Weissella confusa MBF8-1 with spermicidal activity. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 20(9), 766-771. doi: 10.2174/1389201020666190617163310
Journal - Research Article
Grazia, S. E., Sumayyah, S., Haiti, F. S., Sahlan, M., Heng, N. C. K., & Malik, A. (2017). Bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) activity of Streptococcus macedonicus MBF10-2 and its synergistic action in combination with antibiotics. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 10(12), 1140-1145. doi: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2017.11.001
Journal - Research Article
Heng, N. C. K., Yeh, C.-W., & Malik, A. (2017). Draft genome sequence of Weissella confusa MBF8-1, a glucansucrase- and bacteriocin-producing strain isolated from a homemade soy product. Genome Announcements, 5(4), e01497-16. doi: 10.1128/genomeA.01497-16
Journal - Research Article
Malik, A., Sumayyah, S., Yeh, C.-W., & Heng, N. C. K. (2016). Identification and sequence analysis of pWcMBF8-1, a bacteriocin-encoding plasmid from the lactic acid bacterium Weissella confusa. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 363(8), fnw059. doi: 10.1093/femsle/fnw059
Journal - Research Article
Walker, G. V., Heng, N. C. K., Carne, A., Tagg, J. R., & Wescombe, P. A. (2016). Salivaricin E and abundant dextranase activity may contribute to the anti-cariogenic potential of the probiotic candidate Streptococcus salivarius JH. Microbiology, 162(3), 476-486. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.000237
Journal - Research Article
Cullinan, M. P., Bird, P. S., Heng, N. C. K., West, M. J., & Seymour, G. J. (2013). No evidence of triclosan-resistant bacteria following long-term use of triclosan-containing toothpaste. Journal of Periodontal Research, 49(2), 220-225. doi: 10.1111/jre.12098
Journal - Research Article
Leishman, S. J., Ford, P. J., Do, H. L., Palmer, J. E., Heng, N. C. K., West, M. J., Seymour, G. J., & Cullinan, M. P. (2012). Periodontal pathogen load and increased antibody response to heat shock protein 60 in patients with cardiovascular disease. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 39(10), 923-930. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2012.01934.x
Journal - Research Article
Wescombe, P. A., Hale, J. D. F., Heng, N. C. K., & Tagg, J. R. (2012). Developing oral probiotics from Streptococcus salivarius. Future Microbiology, 7(12), 1355-1371. doi: 10.2217/fmb.12.113
Journal - Research Article
Frese, S. A., Benson, A. K., Tannock, G. W., Loach, D. M., Kim, J., Zhang, M., … Heng, N. C. K., … Walter, J. (2011). The evolution of host specialization in the vertebrate gut symbiont Lactobacillus reuteri. PLoS Genetics, 7(2), e1001314. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1001314
Journal - Research Article
Heng, N. C. K., Haji-Ishak, N. S., Kalyan, A., Wong, A. Y. C., Lovrić, M., Bridson, J. M., Artamonova, J., Stanton, J.-A. L., Wescombe, P. A., Burton, J. P., Cullinan, M. P., & Tagg, J. R. (2011). Genome sequence of the bacteriocin-producing oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius strain M18. Journal of Bacteriology, 193(22), 6402-6403. doi: 10.1128/jb.06001-11
Journal - Research Article
Rose-Hill, S., Ford, P. J., Leishman, S. J., Do, H. L., Palmer, J. E., Heng, N. C. K., … Seymour, G. J., & Cullinan, M. P. (2011). Improved periodontal health and cardiovascular risk. Australian Dental Journal, 56(4), 352-357. doi: 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2011.01363.x
Journal - Research Article
Swe, P. M., Heng, N. C. K., Cook, G. M., Tagg, J. R., & Jack, R. W. (2010). Identification of Dysl, the immunity factor of the streptococcal bacteriocin dysgalacticin. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 76(23), 7885-7889. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01707-10
Journal - Research Article
Wescombe, P. A., Heng, N. C. K., Burton, J. P., & Tagg, J. R. (2010). Something old and something new: An update on the amazing repertoire of bacteriocins produced by Streptococcus salivarius. Probiotics & Antimicrobial Proteins, 2(1), 37-45. doi: 10.1007/s12602-009-9026-7
Journal - Research Article
Wescombe, P. A., Heng, N. C. K., Burton, J. P., Chilcott, C. N., & Tagg, J. R. (2009). Streptococcal bacteriocins and the case for Streptococcus salivarius as model oral probiotics. Future Microbiology, 4(7), 819-835. doi: 10.2217/fmb.09.61
Journal - Research Article
Heng, N. C. K., Burtenshaw, G. A., Jack, R. W., & Tagg, J. R. (2007). Ubericin A, a class IIa bacteriocin produced by Streptococcus uberis. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 73(23), 7763-7766.
Journal - Research Article
Heng, N. C. K., Tagg, J. R., & Tompkins, G. R. (2007). Competence-dependent bacteriocin production by Streptococcus gordonii DL1 (Challis). Journal of Bacteriology, 189(4), 1468-1472.
Journal - Research Article
Swe, P. M., Heng, N. C. K., Ting, Y.-T., Baird, H. J., Carne, A., Tauch, A., Tagg, J. R., & Jack, R. W. (2007). ef1097 and ypkK encode enterococcin V583 and corynicin JK, members of a new family of antimicrobial proteins (bacteriocins) with modular structure from Gram-positive bacteria. Microbiology, 153, 3218-3227.
Journal - Research Article
Eyles, R. F., Brooks, H. J. L., Townsend, C. R., Burtenshaw, G. A., Heng, N. C. K., Jack, R. W., & Weinstein, P. (2006). Comparison of Campylobacter jejuni PFGE and Penner subtypes in human infections and in water samples from the Taieri River catchment of New Zealand. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 101, 18-25.
Journal - Research Article
Heng, N. C. K., & Tagg, J. R. (2006). What's in a name? Class distinction for bacteriocins [Correspondence]. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 4. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/nrmicro/journal/v4/n2/full/nrmicro1273-c1.html
Journal - Research Article
Heng, N. C. K., Ragland, N. L., Swe, P. M., Baird, H. J., Inglis, M. A., Tagg, J. R., & Jack, R. W. (2006). Dysgalacticin: A novel, plasmid-encoded antimicrobial protein (bacteriocin) produced by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis. Microbiology, 152, 1991-2001.
Journal - Research Article
Heng, N. C. K., Tagg, J. R., & Tompkins, G. R. (2006). Identification and characterization of the loci encoding the competence-associated alternative σ factor of Streptococcus gordonii. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 259(1), 27-34.
Journal - Research Article
Wescombe, P. A., Burton, J. P., Cadieux, P. A., Klesse, N. A., Hyink, O., Heng, N. C. K., … Tagg, J. R. (2006). Megaplasmids encode differing combinations of lantibiotics in Streptococcus salivarius. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, 90, 269-280.
Journal - Research Article
Hale, J. D. F., Heng, N. C. K., Jack, R. W., & Tagg, J. R. (2005). Identification of nlmTE, the locus encoding the ABC transport system required for export of nonlantibiotic mutacins in Streptococcus mutans. Journal of Bacteriology, 187(14), 5036-5039.
Journal - Research Article
Hale, J. D. F., Ting, Y.-T., Jack, R. W., Tagg, J. R., & Heng, N. C. K. (2005). Bacteriocin (mutacin) production by Streptococcus mutans genome sequence reference strain UA159: Elucidation of the antimicrobial repertoire by genetic dissection. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 71(11), 7613-7617.
Journal - Research Article
Rahimi, M., Heng, N. C. K., Kieser, J. A., & Tompkins, G. R. (2005). Genotypic comparison of bacteria recovered from human bite marks and teeth using arbitrarily primed PCR. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 99, 1265-1270.
Journal - Research Article
Heng, N. C. K., Burtenshaw, G. A., Jack, R. W., & Tagg, J. R. (2004). Sequence analysis of pDN571, a plasmid encoding novel bacteriocin production in M-type 57 Streptococcus pyogenes. Plasmid, 52, 225-229.
Journal - Research Article
Walter, J., Heng, N. C. K., Hammes, W. P., Loach, D. M., Tannock, G. W., & Hertel, C. (2003). Identification of Lactobacillus reuteri genes specifically induced in the mouse gastrointestinal tract. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 69(4), 2044-2051.
Journal - Research Article
Heng, N. C. K., Bateup, J. M., Loach, D. M., Wu, X., Jenkinson, H. F., Morrison, M., & Tannock, G. W. (1999). Influence of different functional elements of plasmid pGT232 on maintenance of recombinant plasmids in Lactobacillus reuteri populations in vitro and in vivo. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 65, 5378-5385.
Journal - Research Article
Heng, N. C. K., Jenkinson, H. F., & Tannock, G. W. (1997). Cloning and expression of an endo-1,3-1,4-β-glucanase gene from Bacillus macerans in Lactobacillus reuteri. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 63(8), 3336-3340.
Journal - Research Article
Allen, L. L., Heng, N. C. K., & Tompkins, G. R. (2021). Streptococcus salivarius isolates of varying acid tolerance exhibit F1F0-ATPase conservation [Brief report]. Caries Research, 55, 288-291. doi: 10.1159/000516175
Journal - Research Other
Reid, P., Heng, N. C. K., Hale, J. D., Krishnan, D., Crane, J., Tagg, J. R., & Milne, T. J. (2020). A TaqMan™-based quantitative PCR screening assay for the probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 based on the specific detection of its megaplasmid-associated salivaricin B locus [Note]. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 170, 105837. doi: 10.1016/j.mimet.2020.105837
Journal - Research Other
Benn, A. M. L., Heng, N. C. K., Broadbent, J. M., & Thomson, W. M. (2018). Studying the human oral microbiome: Challenges and the evolution of solutions. Australian Dental Journal, 63(1), 14-24. doi: 10.1111/adj.12565
Journal - Research Other
