Professor Gregory Cook

Contact Details
- Phone
- +64 3 479 7722
- greg.cook@otago.ac.nz
- Position
- Professor and Head of Department
- Department
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology
- Qualifications
- MSc PhD(Waik) FRSNZ
- Research summary
- Microbial physiology and biochemistry, antimicrobial resistance, drug discovery, molecular microbiology, structural biology
Research
Research in my laboratory is focused on developing bacterial metabolism and energetics as a new target space for drug development to combat bacterial pathogens in humans (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and treat and prevent disease in food animals and plants. The goal of this work is to produce new and fast-acting drugs that will address the issues of antimicrobial resistance and persistence.
Cook leads a multidisciplinary science team: Cook Lab, Microbiology and Immunology
Awards
- University of Otago Research Group Award 2017, Otago Bacterial Energetics and Antimicrobial Resistance Group
- University of Otago Distinguished Research Medal, 2014 (University of Otago's highest distinction)
- Fellow of the Royal Society New Zealand, 2013
Roles
- Management Principal Investigator (leader TB flagship), The Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland
- Chair-elect, Gordon Research Conference on Bioenergetics (vice Chair 2019, Chair 2021)
Publications
Greening, C., Berney, M., Hards, K., Cook, G. M., & Conrad, R. (2014). A soil actinobacterium scavenges atmospheric H2 using two membrane-associated, oxygen-dependent [NiFe] hydrogenases. PNAS, 111(11), 4257-4261. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1320586111
Berney, M., Greening, C., Conrad, R., Jacobs, Jr, W. R., & Cook, G. M. (2014). An obligately aerobic soil bacterium activates fermentative hydrogen production to survive reductive stress during hypoxia. PNAS, 111(31), 11479-11484. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1407034111
Heikal, A., Nakatani, Y., Dunn, E., Weimar, M. R., Day, C. L., Baker, E. N., … Cook, G. M. (2014). Structure of the bacterial type II NADH dehydrogenase: A monotopic membrane protein with an essential role in energy generation. Molecular Microbiology, 91(5), 950-964. doi: 10.1111/mmi.12507
Hards, K., Robson, J. R., Berney, M., Shaw, L., Bald, D., Koul, A., … Cook, G. M. (2015). Bactericidal mode of action of bedaquiline. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 70, 2028-2037. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkv054
Berney, M., Greening, C., Hards, K., Collins, D., & Cook, G. M. (2014). Three different [NiFe] hydrogenases confer metabolic flexibility in the obligate aerobe Mycobacterium smegmatis. Environmental Microbiology, 16(1), 318-330. doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.12320
Greening, C., Berney, M., Hards, K., Cook, G. M., & Conrad, R. (2014). A soil actinobacterium scavenges atmospheric H2 using two membrane-associated, oxygen-dependent [NiFe] hydrogenases. PNAS, 111(11), 4257-4261. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1320586111
Journal - Research Article
Berney, M., Greening, C., Conrad, R., Jacobs, Jr, W. R., & Cook, G. M. (2014). An obligately aerobic soil bacterium activates fermentative hydrogen production to survive reductive stress during hypoxia. PNAS, 111(31), 11479-11484. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1407034111
Journal - Research Article
Heikal, A., Nakatani, Y., Dunn, E., Weimar, M. R., Day, C. L., Baker, E. N., … Cook, G. M. (2014). Structure of the bacterial type II NADH dehydrogenase: A monotopic membrane protein with an essential role in energy generation. Molecular Microbiology, 91(5), 950-964. doi: 10.1111/mmi.12507
Journal - Research Article
Hards, K., Robson, J. R., Berney, M., Shaw, L., Bald, D., Koul, A., … Cook, G. M. (2015). Bactericidal mode of action of bedaquiline. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 70, 2028-2037. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkv054
Journal - Research Article
Berney, M., Greening, C., Hards, K., Collins, D., & Cook, G. M. (2014). Three different [NiFe] hydrogenases confer metabolic flexibility in the obligate aerobe Mycobacterium smegmatis. Environmental Microbiology, 16(1), 318-330. doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.12320
Journal - Research Article
Schulz, S., Iglesias-Cans, M., Krah, A., Yildiz, Ö., Leone, V., Matthies, D., Cook, G. M., … Meier, T. (2013). A new type of Na+-driven ATP synthase membrane rotor with a two-carboxylate ion-coupling motif. PLoS Biology, 11(6), e1001596. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001596
Journal - Research Article
McMillan, D. G. G., Keis, S., Dimroth, P., & Cook, G. M. (2007). A specific adaptation in the a subunit of thermoalkaliphilic F1Fo-ATP synthase enables ATP synthesis at high pH but not at neutral pH values. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 282(24), 17395-17404.
Journal - Research Article
Meier, T., Morgner, N., Matthies, D., Pogoryelov, D., Keis, S., Cook, G. M., … Brutschy, B. (2007). A tridecameric c ring of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase from the thermoalkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain TA2.A1 facilitates ATP synthesis at low electrochemical proton potential. Molecular Microbiology, 65(5), 1181-1192.
Journal - Research Article
Gauntlett, J. C., Gebhard, S., Keis, S., Manson, J. M., Pos, K. M., & Cook, G. M. (2008). Molecular analysis of BcrR, a membrane-bound bacitracin sensor and DNA-binding protein from Enterococcus faecalis. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 283(13), 8591-8600. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M709503200
Journal - Research Article
Berney, M., & Cook, G. M. (2010). Unique flexibility in energy metabolism allows mycobacteria to combat starvation and hypoxia. PLoS ONE, 5(1), e8614. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008614
Journal - Research Article
Cook, G. M., Berney, M., Gebhard, S., Heinemann, M., Cox, R. A., Danilchanka, O., & Niederweis, M. (2009). Physiology of mycobacteria. In R. K. Poole (Ed.), Advances in microbial physiology (Vol. 55). (pp. 83-183). London: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s0065-2911(09)05502-7
Chapter in Book - Research
McMillan, D. G. G., Ferguson, S. A., Dey, D., Schröder, K., Aung, H. L., Carbone, V., … Cook, G. M. (2011). A1Ao-ATP synthase of Methanobrevibacter ruminantium couples sodium ions for ATP synthesis under physiological conditions. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 286(46), 39882-39892. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.281675
Journal - Research Other
Yu, Z., Bekker, M., Tramonti, A., Cook, G. M., van Ulsen, P., Scheffers, D.-J., … Luirink, J. (2011). Activators of glutamate-dependent acid resistance system alleviate deleterious effects of YidC depletion in Escherichia coli. Journal of Bacteriology, 193(6), 1308-1316. doi: 10.1128/JB.01209-10
Journal - Research Article
Kalamorz, F., Keis, S., McMillan, D. G. G., Olsson, K., Stanton, J.-A., Stockwell, P., Black, M. A., … Cook, G. M. (2011). Draft genome sequence of the thermoalkaliphilic Caldalkalibacillus thermarum strain TA2.A1. Journal of Bacteriology, 193(16), 4290-4291. doi: 10.1128/jb.05035-11
Journal - Research Article
Tannock, G. W., Wilson, C. M., Loach, D., Cook, G. M., Eason, J., O'Toole, P. W., … Lawley, B. (2012). Resource partitioning in relation to cohabitation of Lactobacillus species in the mouse forestomach. ISME Journal, 6, 927-938. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2011.161
Journal - Research Article
Sims, I. M., Frese, S. A., Walter, J., Loach, D., Wilson, M., Appleyard, K., … Livingston, M., Baird, M., Cook, G., & Tannock, G. W. (2011). Structure and functions of exopolysaccharide produced by gut commensal Lactobacillus reuteri 100-23. ISME Journal, 5(7), 1115-1124. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2010.201
Journal - Research Article
Arcus, V. L., McKenzie, J. L., Robson, J., & Cook, G. M. (2011). The PIN-domain ribonucleases and the prokaryotic VapBC toxin—antitoxin array. Protein Engineering, Design & Selection, 24(1-2), 33-40. doi: 10.1093/protein/gzq081
Journal - Research Article
Cook, G. M., & Heikal, A. (2012). Bridging the gap between a TB drug and its target. Science Translational Medicine, 4(150), 150fs33. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3004816
Journal - Research Other
Taniguchi, N., Suzuki, T., Berney, M., Yoshida, M., & Cook, G. M. (2011). The regulatory C-terminal domain of subunit ε of FoF1 ATP synthase is dispensable for growth and survival of Escherichia coli. Journal of Bacteriology, 193(8), 2046-2052. doi: 10.1128/JB.01422-10
Journal - Research Article
Frampton, R., Aggio, R. B. M., Villas-Bôas, S. G., Arcus, V. L., & Cook, G. M. (2012). Toxin-antitoxin systems of Mycobacterium smegmatis are essential for cell survival. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 287(8), 5340-5356. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.286856
Journal - Research Article
McMillan, D. G. G., Velasquez, I., Nunn, B. L., Goodlett, D. R., Hunter, K. A., Lamont, I., Sander, S. G., & Cook, G. M. (2010). Acquisition of iron by alkaliphilic Bacillus species. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 76(20), 6955-6961. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01393-10
Journal - Research Article
Shepherd, M., Sanguinetti, G., Cook, G. M., & Poole, R. K. (2010). Compensations for diminished terminal oxidase activity in Escherichia coli: Cytochrome bd-II-mediated respiration and glutamate metabolism. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 285(24), 18464-18472. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.118448
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
Hümpel, A., Gebhard, S., Cook, G. M., & Berney, M. (2010). The SigF regulon in Mycobacterium smegmatis reveals roles in adaptation to stationary phase, heat and oxidative stress. Journal of Bacteriology, 192(10), 2491-2502. doi: 10.1128/JB.00035-10
Journal - Research Article
Gebhard, S., Gaballa, A., Helmann, J. D., & Cook, G. M. (2009). Direct stimulus perception and transcription activation by a membrane-bound DNA binding protein. Molecular Microbiology, 73(3), 482-491. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06787.x
Journal - Research Article
Swe, P. M., Cook, G. M., Tagg, J. R., & Jack, R. W. (2009). Mode of action of dysgalacticin: A large heat-labile bacteriocin. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 63(4), 679-686. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkn552
Journal - Research Article
McMillan, D. G. G., Keis, S., Berney, M., & Cook, G. M. (2009). Nonfermentative thermoalkaliphilic growth is restricted to alkaline environments. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 75(24), 7649-7654. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01639-09
Journal - Research Article
Robson, J., McKenzie, J. L., Cursons, R., Cook, G. M., & Arcus, V. L. (2009). The vapBC operon from Mycobacterium smegmatis is an autoregulated toxin-antitoxin module that controls growth via inhibition of translation. Journal of Molecular Biology, 390, 353-367. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.05.006
Journal - Research Article
Hartman, T., Weinrick, B., Vilchèze, C., Berney, M., Tufariello, J., Cook, G. M., & Jacobs, Jr, W. R. (2014). Succinate dehydrogenase is the regulator of respiration in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. PLoS Pathogens, 10(11), e1004510. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004510
Journal - Research Article
Matthies, D., Preiss, L., Klyszejko, A. L., Muller, D. J., Cook, G. M., Vonck, J., & Meier, T. (2009). The C13 ring from a thermoalkaliphilic ATP synthase reveals an extended diameter due to a special structural region. Journal of Molecular Biology, 388(3), 611-618. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.03.052
Journal - Research Article
Mesbah, N. M., Cook, G. M., & Wiegel, J. (2009). The halophilic alkalithermophile Natranaerobius thermophilus adapts to multiple environmental extremes using a large repertoire of Na+(K+)/H+ antiporters. Molecular Microbiology, 74(2), 270-281. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06845.x
Journal - Research Article
Wilson, J. L., Jesse, H. E., Hughes, B., Lund, V., Naylor, K., Davidge, K. S., Cook, G. M., … Poole, R. K. (2013). Ru(CO)3Cl(glycinate) (CORM-3): A carbon monoxide–releasing molecule with broad-spectrum antimicrobial and photosensitive activities against respiration and cation transport in Escherichia coli. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 19(5), 497-509. doi: 10.1089/ars.2012.4784
Journal - Research Article
Kingston, A. W., Zhao, H., Cook, G. M., & Helmann, J. D. (2014). Accumulation of heptaprenyl diphosphate sensitizes Bacillus subtilis to bacitracin: Implications for the mechanism of resistance mediated by the BceAB transporter. Molecular Microbiology, 93(1), 37-49. doi: 10.1111/mmi.12637
Journal - Research Article
Lagautriere, T., Bashiri, G., Paterson, N. G., Berney, M., Cook, G. M., & Baker, E. N. (2014). Characterization of the proline-utilization pathway in Mycobacterium tuberculosis through structural and functional studies. Acta Crystallographica Section D, 70(Pt 4), 968-980. doi: 10.1107/s1399004713034391
Journal - Research Article
Cook, G. M., Hards, K., Vilchèze, C., Hartman, T., & Berney, M. (2014). Energetics of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation in mycobacteria. Microbiology Spectrum, 2(3), MGM2-0015-2013. doi: 10.1128/microbiolspec.MGM2-0015-2013
Journal - Research Article
Berney, M., Weimar, M. R., Heikal, A., & Cook, G. M. (2012). Regulation of proline metabolism in mycobacteria and its role in carbon metabolism under hypoxia. Molecular Microbiology, 84(4), 664-681. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2012.08053.x
Journal - Research Article
Cook, G. M., Greening, C., Hards, K., & Berney, M. (2014). Energetics of pathogenic bacteria and opportunities for drug development. In Advances in microbial physiology. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2014.08.001
Chapter in Book - Research
Pecsi, I., Hards, K., Ekanayaka, N., Berney, M., Hartman, T., Jacobs, Jr, W. R., & Cook, G. M. (2014). Essentiality of succinate dehydrogenase in Mycobacterium smegmatis and its role in the generation of the membrane potential under hypoxia. mBio, 5(4), e01093-14. doi: 10.1128/mBio.01093-14
Journal - Research Article
Kalia, N. P., Hasenoehrl, E. J., Ab Rahman, N. B., Koh, V. H., Ang, M. L. T., Sajorda, D. R., Hards, K., … Cook, G. M., … Pethe, K. (2017). Exploiting the synthetic lethality between terminal respiratory oxidases to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis and clear host infection. PNAS, 114(28), 7426-7431. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1706139114
Journal - Research Article
Greening, C., Biswas, A., Carere, C. R., Jackson, C. J., Taylor, M. C., Stott, M. B., Cook, G. M., & Morales, S. E. (2016). Genomic and metagenomic surveys of hydrogenase distribution indicate H2 is a widely utilised energy source for microbial growth and survival. ISME Journal, 10, 761-777. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2015.153
Journal - Research Article