Contact Details
- Phone
- +64 3 479 9254
- nicholas.heng@otago.ac.nz
- Position
- Associate Professor
- Department
- Department of Oral Sciences
- Qualifications
- BSc(Hons) PhD
- Research summary
- Microbial genetics, next-generation DNA sequencing technology and bioinformatics, and antimicrobial protein (bacteriocin) biology
- Teaching
- First-Year Coordinator (Bachelor of Oral Health)
- Paper coordinator DEOH101, DEOH102 and DTEC111
- Memberships
- Member of the University of Otago Institutional Biological Safety Committee (IBSC)
- Primary professional society is the New Zealand Microbiological Society
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
Liu, X., Cameron, A. B., Haugli, K. H., Mougios, A. A., Heng, N. C. K., & Choi, J. J. E. (2025). Accuracy of lithium disilicate and polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network (PICN) ceramic restorations fabricated from subtractive manufacturing: A systematic review of in vitro studies. Journal of Dentistry. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2025.105872 Journal - Research Other
Heng, N. (2024, December). Microbiology-related practical sessions in the Otago oral health programme: Why they matter. Verbal presentation at the College of Oral Health Academics (COHA) Conference, Auckland, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Liu, X., Cameron, A. B., Haugli, K. H., Mougios, A. A., Heng, N. C. K., & Choi, J. J. E. (2024). Influence of CAD/CAM diamond bur wear on the accuracy and surface roughness of dental ceramic restorations: A systematic review. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 106813. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2024.106813 Journal - Research Other
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
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
2025
Journal - Research Other
Liu, X., Cameron, A. B., Haugli, K. H., Mougios, A. A., Heng, N. C. K., & Choi, J. J. E. (2025). Accuracy of lithium disilicate and polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network (PICN) ceramic restorations fabricated from subtractive manufacturing: A systematic review of in vitro studies. Journal of Dentistry. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2025.105872
2024
Journal - Research Other
Liu, X., Cameron, A. B., Haugli, K. H., Mougios, A. A., Heng, N. C. K., & Choi, J. J. E. (2024). Influence of CAD/CAM diamond bur wear on the accuracy and surface roughness of dental ceramic restorations: A systematic review. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 106813. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2024.106813
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Heng, N. (2024, December). Microbiology-related practical sessions in the Otago oral health programme: Why they matter. Verbal presentation at the College of Oral Health Academics (COHA) Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.
2023
Edited Book - Research
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
Chapter in 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
Journal - Research Article
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
2022
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
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
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
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heng, N., Stanton, J.-A., & Tompkins, G. (2022). The genetic basis of bacteriocin STH2 resistance in Streptococcus mitis I18. New Zealand Dental Journal, 118(4), (pp. 176). [Abstract]
2021
Journal - Research Other
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
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heng, N., Han, R., Morgan, X., & Loch, C. (2021). The oral microbiome of killer whales (Orcinus orca). Proceedings of the 16th Congress of the Federation of Asian & Oceanic Biochemists & Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB). (pp. 134). Retrieved from https://www.faobmb2021.org
2020
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 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
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Heng, N. (2020, September). Bacteriocins and bacteriocin resistance: A tale of streptococcal genomes [Research presentation]. Verbal presentation at the Combined Faculty of Dentistry's Annual Clinical Excellence Day & Sir John Walsh Research Institute Research Day: Clinical & Research Excellence Spring Webinar Series, [Online].
Heng, N. (2020, December). Experiences of a 'virtual microbiology practical': Zoom-based lectures and online tests. Verbal presentation at the College of Oral Health Academics (COHA) Virtual Conference: Going Viral, [Online].
2019
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
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
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heng, N. C. K., Stanton, J.-A. L., Treece, J., Dufour, M., & Tompkins, G. R. (2019). Characterisation of bacteriocin resistance development by Streptococcus mitis strain I18. Proceedings of the New Zealand Microbiological Society (NZMS) Annual Conference. 606. Retrieved from https://www.nzmscoference.org.nz
Allen, L., Heng, N., & Tompkins, G. (2019). Streptococcus salivarius isolates of varying acid tolerance display F1F0-ATPase conservation. Journal of Dental Research, 98(A), 0830. Retrieved from https://iadr.abstractarchives.com
Heng, N., & Tompkins, G. (2019). Characterization of bacteriocin resistance exhibited by Streptococcus mitis. Journal of Dental Research, 98(A), 1412. Retrieved from https://iadr.abstractarchives.com
Heng, N., Dufour, M., Stanton, J. A., Treece, J., & Tompkins, G. (2019). Characterisation of bacteriocin resistance exhibited by Streptococcus australis strain I18. New Zealand Dental Journal, 115, (pp. 161). [Abstract]
2018
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
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Allen, L. L., Heng, N. C. K., & Tompkins, G. R. (2018). Streptococcus salivarius isolates of varying acid tolerance exhibit F1F0-ATPase conservation. Proceedings of the New Zealand Microbiological Society (NZMS) & New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NZSBMB) Joint Annual Conference: Microbes & Molecules. (pp. 90). Retrieved from https://www.nzmsconference.org.nz
Mei, L., Benic, G., Cannon, R. D., Heng, N., Morgan, X., & Farella, M. (2018). Efficacy of oral probiotics in managing biofilm formation in patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances. New Zealand Dental Journal, 114(4), (pp. 184-185). [Abstract]
Heng, N. C. K., Hale, J. D. F., Swe, P. M., Power, D. A., & Tagg, J. R. (2018). Dysgalacticin and Sanguinicin K11: Two novel antimicrobial proteins (Bacteriocins) targeting important pathogens. New Zealand Dental Journal, 114(4), (pp. 184). [Abstract]
2017
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
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
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
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Parachuru Venkata, A., Drummond, B. K., Meldrum, A., & Heng, N. (2017). Children's oral health-related quality of life five to seven years after comprehensive care under general anaesthesia for early childhood caries. New Zealand Dental Journal, 113(4), (pp. 61). [Abstract]
Heng, N. C. K., & Christophers, M. D. (2017). Characterisation of antimicrobial (bacteriocin) activity produced by Streptococcus equinus MDC1. New Zealand Dental Journal, 113(4), (pp. 55). [Abstract]
Heng, N. C. K., & Christophers, M. D. (2017). Genome sequence analysis of Streptococcus equinus MDC1, a nisin-producing oral isolate of canine origin. Proceedings of the New Zealand Microbiological Society (NZMS) Annual Conference. 64. Retrieved from http://www.nzmsconference.org.nz/
Heng, N., & Christophers, M. (2017). Characterization of bacteriocin activity produced by Streptococcus lutetiensis. Journal of Dental Research, 96(Spec. Iss. A), 1726. Retrieved from http://www.iadr.org
2016
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
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
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
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heng, N., Benn, C., Upritchard, J., Hale, J., Ross, J., Tompkins, G., Kieser, J., & Stanton, J.-A. (2016). Streptococcus kieseri sp. nov. from the New Zealand brushtail possum. Journal of Dental Research, 95(Spec Iss B), 1163. Retrieved from http://www.iadr.org/
Benic, G. Z., Farella, M., Biggs, P., Heng, N., Cannon, R., & Mei, L. (2016). Efficacy of oral probiotics in managing biofilm formation in patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances: A triple-blind randomized placebocontrolled trial. Proceedings of the Sir John Walsh Research Institute Research Symposium. (pp. 18). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/sjwri/news/otago621026
Heng, N. C. K., Benn, C., Hale, J. D. F., Ross, J. G., Tompkins, G. R., Kieser, J. A., & Stanton, J.-A. L. (2016). Streptococcus kieseri sp. nov. from the New Zealand brushtail possum. Proceedings of the Sir John Walsh Research Institute Research Symposium. (pp. 15). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/sjwri/news/otago621026
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Heng, N. C. K., Benn, C., Upritchard, J. E., Hale, J. D. F., Ross, J. G., Tompkins, G. R., Kieser, J. A., & Stanton, J.-A. L. (2016, November). Streptococcus kierseri sp. nov. from the New Zealand brushtail possum. Verbal presentation at the Joint Meeting of the New Zealand Microbiological Society (NZMS) and the New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NZSBMB), Christchurch, New Zealand.
2015
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heng, N. C., Wescombe, P. A., Stanton, J. L., & Tagg, J. (2015). Genome sequence of Streptococcus salivarius NCTC 8618 (ATCC 7073T). Journal of Dental Research, 94(Spec Iss B), 2343648. Retrieved from http://www.iadr.org/
Malik, A., Tagg, J. R., Stanton, J.-A. L., Sumayyah, S., Wescombe, P. A., & Heng, N. C. K. (2015). A tale of bacteriocin-encoding lactic acid bacterial genomes: Streptococcus salivarius NCTC 8618T and Weissella confusa MBF8-1. Proceedings of the New Zealand Microbiological Society (NZMS) 60th Conference. (pp. 37). Retrieved from http://www.nzmsconference.org.nz/
2014
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Kamalendran, N., Yeh, C., Drummond, B., Heng, N., Cullinan, M. P., & Stanton, J. (2014). Oral microbiota of children undergoing comprehensive treatment for severe ECC. Journal of Dental Research, 93(Spec Iss C). Retrieved from http://www.iadr.org
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Yeh, C.-W., Kamalendran, N., Cullinan, M. P., Drummond, B. K., & Heng, N. (2014, May). Microbiological analysis of plaque samples from children with dental caries. Poster session presented at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) New Zealand Section Student Poster Competition, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2013
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
2012
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
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
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Benn, C., Kieser, J. A., Upritchard, J., Tompkins, G., Ross, J., & Heng, N. (2012). Identifying individual possums using their oral bacteria. Journal of Dental Research, 91(Spec Iss C), 169857. Retrieved from http://www.dentalresearch.org
Sundaresan, P. D., Murray, C. M., Wade, K. J., Cullinan, M. P., Drummond, B. K., Stanton, J. L., Seymour, G. J., & Heng, N. C. K. (2012). From babies to retirement: What microbes lurk in our mouths? Journal of Dental Research, 91(Spec Iss C), 169898. Retrieved from http://www.dentalresearch.org
Sundaresan, D., Cullinan, M., Drummond, B., Stanton, J., Seymour, G., & Heng, N. (2012). “Mummy, are there bugs in my mouth?”: Investigating the oral bacterial diversity of Dunedin children. New Zealand Medical Journal, 125(1355). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Sundaresan, D. P., Murray, C. M., Wade, K. J., Cullinan, M. P., Drummond, B. K., Stanton, J. L., Seymour, G. J., & Heng, N. C. K. (2012, September). From babies to retirement: What microbes lurk in our mouths? Poster session presented at the Division of Health Sciences Research Forum: Health Matters: Research Excellence at Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2011
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
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
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
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Parachuru, P., Seymour, G., Rich, A., Milne, T., Coates, D., Cullinan, M., & Heng, N. (2011). Tregs and IL17 + cells infiltrate periodontal disease tissues. New Zealand Dental Journal. 107, (pp. 133). [Abstract]
Sundaresan, D., Cullinan, M., Drummond, B., Seymour, G., Stanton, J.-A., & Heng, N. (2011). Identification of friend and foe: Metagenomics of the oral cavity in health and disease. New Zealand Medical Journal. 124(1335). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/124-1335/4693/content.pdf
Praveen, P. V., Rich, A. M., Horne, L., Hussaini, H. M., Heng, N. C. K., Coates, D. E., Milne, T. J., & Seymour, G. J. (2011). Regulatory T-cells and Th17-cells infiltrate periodontal disease tissues. Journal of Dental Research, 90(Spec Iss A), 1429. Retrieved from http://www.dentalresearch.org
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Wolfer, M., Mashburn-Warren, L., Federle, M., Heng, N., & Morrison, D. (2011, September). Control of the competence regulon in pyogenic streptococci: Type II ComR receptors recognize species-specific peptide pheromones when expressed in a heterologous host. Poster session presented at the XVIII Lancefield International Symposium, Palermo, Italy.
Milne, T. J., Coates, D., Cullinan, M. P., Heng, N. C. K., Leichter, J. W., & Seymour, G. J. (2011, June). A multiplex qRT-PCR assay: A tool for determining periodontal treatment effectiveness. Poster session presented at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of Academy of Science of the Czech Republic Symposium: Developments in rReal-Time PCR from Preanalytics to Molecular Diagnostics, Prague, Czech Republic.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Heng, N., Haji-Ishak, N., Kalyan, A., Wong, A., Lovric, M., Bridson, J., Artamonova, J., Stanton, J.-A., Wescombe, P., Burton, J., Cullinan, M., & Tagg, J. (2011, November). The genome sequence of the oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius strain M18. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Microbiological Society (NZMS) Conference: Right here, right now! Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Parachuru, P., Seymour, G., Rich, A., Milne, T., Coates, D., Cullinan, M., & Heng, N. (2011, August). Tregs and IL17+ cells infiltrate periodontal disease tissues. Verbal presentation at the Faculty of Dentistry 3M Research Day, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2010
Edited Book - Research
Seymour, G. J., Cullinan, M. P., & Heng, N. C. K. (Eds.). (2010). Oral Biology. New York: Springer, 360p.
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
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
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
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Ford, P. J., Rose-Hill, S., Leishman, S. J., Do, H. L., Palmer, J. E., Heng, N. C. K., … Seymour, G. J., & Cullinan, M. P. (2010). Systematic response to improved periodontal health in a cardiovascular population. Journal of Dental Research, 89(Spec Iss B), 1818. Retrieved from http://www.dentalresearch.org
Ohlrich, E. J., Coates, D. E., Milne, T. J., Cullinan, M. P., Heng, N. C. K., Duncan, W. J., & Seymour, G. J. (2010). Biophosphonates alter angiogenesis gene expression in cultured human gingival fibroblasts. Journal of Dental Research, 89(Spec Iss B), 4930. Retrieved from http://www.dentalresearch.org
Rose-Hill, S., Ford, P. J., Leishman, S. J., Do, H. L., Palmer, J. E., Westerman, B., Heng, N. C. K., … Seymour, G., & Cullinan, M. (2010). Serum antibodies and inflammatory markers in improved periodontal health. Journal of Dental Research, 89(Spec Iss B), 3836. Retrieved from http://www.dentalresearch.org
Ohlrich, E., Coates, D., Milne, T., Cullinan, M., Heng, N., Duncan, W., & Seymour, G. (2010). Bisphosphonates alter angiogenesis gene expression in cultured human gingival fibroblasts. Proceedings of the Faculty of Dentistry 3M Research Day. Retrieved from http://dentistry.otago.ac.nz/research/index.html
2009
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
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
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. (2009). Improvement in periodontal health and antibody response to heat-shock proteins. Journal of Dental Research, 88(Spec Iss B), 388. Retrieved from http://www.dentalresearch.org
Wong, A. Y. C., Stanton, J.-A. L., Rand, C. J., Cullinan, M. P., Tagg, J. R., & Heng, N. C. K. (2009). Sequencing and annotating the genome of Streptococcus salivarius strain JH. Journal of Dental Research, 88(Spec Iss B), 258. Retrieved from http://www.dentalresearch.org
Haji-Ishak, N., Stanton, J.-A. L., Rand, C. J., Cullinan, M. P., Tagg, J. R., & Heng, N. C. K. (2009). Revealing the genomic secrets of Streptococcus salivarius strain Mia (M18). Journal of Dental Research, 88(Spec Iss B), 381. Retrieved from http://www.dentalresearch.org
Leishman, S. J., Ford, P. J., Rothnie, J., Bohnstedt, S., Cullinan, M. P., Westerman, B., … Heng, N., … Seymour, G. J. (2009). Antibody response to self and P.gingivalis heat-shock-proteins in cardiovascular patients. Journal of Dental Research, 88(Spec Iss A), 3024. Retrieved from http://www.dentalresearch.org
Haji-Ishak, N., Cullinan, M., Tagg, J., & Heng, N. (2009). Revealing the genomic secrets of the oral bacterium Streptococcus salivarius strain Mia. New Zealand Medical Journal, 122(1295). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/122-1295/3623/content.pdf
Wong, A., Cullinan, M., Tagg, J., & Heng, N. (2009). Sequencing and annotating the genome of the oral bacterium Streptococcus salivarius JH. New Zealand Medical Journal, 122(1295). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/122-1295/3623/content.pdf
2008
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heng, N. C., Cullinan, M. P., Drummond, B. K., Stanton, J. L., & Seymour, G. J. (2008). Metagenomics and more: The new genome sequencer FLX system and its applications. Proceedings of the Faculty of Dentistry 3M Research Day. Retrieved from http://dentistry.otago.ac.nz/research/rd2008/presentations.html
Hale, J. D. F., Heng, N. C. K., Power, D. A., Inglis, M. A., & Tagg, J. R. (2008). Sanguinicin K11, a novel antimicrobial peptide produced by the oral bacterium Steptococcus sanguinis. Proceedings of the New Zealand Microbiological Society Microbiology Conference. (pp. 38). NZMS. Retrieved from http://www.nzmsconference08.org.nz/files/Poster-Abstracts-NZMS-2008.pdf
Heng, N. C. K., Cullinan, M. P., Drummond, B. K., Stanton, J. L., Tagg, J. R., & Seymour, G. J. (2008). Hundreds and thousands: Sampling oral microbial diversity and whole-genome sequencing using the high-throughput Genome Sequencer FLX System. Proceedings of the New Zealand Microbiological Society Microbiology Conference. (pp. 50). NZMS. Retrieved from http://www.nzmsconference08.org.nz/files/Oral-Abstracts-NZMS-2008.pdf
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Nalder, T. D., Carne, A., Tannock, G. W., Heng, N. C., & Jack, R. W. (2008, November-December). Expression and characterisation of novel β-glucanases from non-culturable bacteria. Poster session presented at the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the New Zealand Society of Plant Biologists Combined Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2007
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.
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.
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.
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.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Swe, P. M., Ting, Y.-T., Baird, H. J., Han, J., Carne, A., Tagg, J. R., Heng, N. C. K., & Jack, R. W. (2007, November). New scaffolds and novel targets for anti-infectives against pathogenic streptococci and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Verbal presentation at the Joint New Zealand Microbiology Society and New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Conference, Wellington, New Zealand.
Heng, N., Wirawan, R., Ritika, R., Power, D., Inglis, M., Jack, R., & Tagg, J. (2007, November). Molecular characterisation of natural nisin U (lantibiotic) variants produced by several streptococcal species. Verbal presentation at the Joint New Zealand Microbiology Society and New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Conference, Wellington, New Zealand.
Heng, N. C. K., Hale, J. D. F., Power, D. A., Inglis, M. A., & Tagg, J. R. (2007, November). Sanguinicin K11, a novel antimicrobial peptide produced by the oral bacterium Streptococcus sanguinis. Verbal presentation at the Joint New Zealand Microbiology Society and New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Conference, Wellington, New Zealand.
2006
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Heng, N. C. K., Swe, P. M., Ting, Y.-T., Dufour, M., Baird, H. J., Ragland, N. L., Burtenshaw, G. A., Jack, R. W., & Tagg, J. R. (2006). The large antimicrobial proteins (bacteriocins) of streptococci. International Congress Series. 1289, (pp. 351-354). doi: 10.1016/j.ics.2005.11.020
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heng, N. C., Swe, P. M., Ting, Y., Burtenshaw, G. A., Baird, H. J., Inglis, M. A., Ragland, N. L., Dufour, M., Simmonds, R. S., Jack, R. W., & Tagg, J. R. (2006). The class III (large) bacteriocins: An emerging group of intriguing antimicrobial proteins. Proceedings of the American Society for Microbiology Conference. (pp. 88-89). Washington, DC: ASM. [Abstract]
Heng, N. C., McCaw, A. S., & Tagg, J. R. (2006). Comparative analysis of bacteriocin-encoding plasmids harbored by beta-hemolytic streptococci. Proceedings of the American Society for Microbiology Conference. (pp. 89-90). Washington, DC: ASM. [Abstract]
Wirawan, R. E., Heng, N. C., Jack, R. W., & Tagg, J. R. (2006). The antimicrobial (bacteriocin) repertoire of Streptococcus uberis. Proceedings of the American Society for Microbiology Conference. (pp. 42). Washington, DC: ASM. [Abstract]
Heng, N. C., Tagg, J. R., & Tompkins, G. R. (2006). Competence-dependent bacteriocin/beta-hemolysin production in Streptococcus gordonii. Proceedings of the American Society for Microbiology Conference. (pp. 93-94). Washington, DC: ASM. [Abstract]
Heng, N. C., Wescombe, P. A., Burton, J. P., Hyink, O., Klesse, N. A., Cadieux, P. A., … Tagg, J. R. (2006). Blis islands: Megaplasmids as transmissible repositories of bacteriocin-encoding loci in Streptococcus salivarius. Proceedings of the American Society for Microbiology Conference. (pp. 90). Washington, DC: ASM. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
McCaw, A. S., Heng, N. C. K., Tagg, J. R., & Jack, R. W. (2006, November). Heterologous expression and characterisation of the novel cell wall-degrading, antimicrobial protein stellalysin from Streptococcus constellatus. Poster session presented at the New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Heng, N. C. K., Tagg, J. R., & Tompkins, G. R. (2006, November). Competence-dependent bacteriocin/β-haemolysin production by Streptococcus gordonii. Poster session presented at the New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Baird, H. J., Ting, Y.-T., Swe, P. M., Heng, N. C. K., & Jack, R. W. (2006, November). Heterologous expression and characterisation of the putative 'domains' of the novel 17 kDa antimicrobial protein YpkK from Corynebacterium jeikeium. Poster session presented at the New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Nalder, T. D., Heng, N. C. K., Tannock, G. W., Carne, A., & Jack, R. W. (2006, November). Heterologous expression and characterisation of novel β-glucanases from nonculturable gut bacteria identified via a metagenomic approach. Poster session presented at the New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Heng, N. C. K., Wirawan, R. E., Swanson, K. M., & Tagg, J. R. (2006, November). Phenotypic and genotypic identification of bacteriocins produced by Streptococcus uberis. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.
2005
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.
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.
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.
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.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Hale, J., Heng, N., Ting, Y. T., Jack, R., & Tagg, J. (2005, September). Production of bacteriocins (mutacins) by streptococcus mutans UA159: Elucidation of the antimicrobial repertoire and export mechanish. Poster session presented at the 16th Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases, Palm Cove, Australia.
Swe, P., Heng, N. C. K., Cook, G. M., & Jack, R. W. (2005, November). Preliminary effects of the antimicrobial protein dysgalacticin against Streptococcus pyogenes. Poster session presented at the 50th Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Microbiological Society, University of Otago, Dunedin.
Baird, H. J., Ting, Y.-T., Swe, P., Burtenshaw, G. A. A., Tagg, J. R., Heng, N. C. K., & Jack, R. W. (2005, November). Are the antimicrobial proteins SA-M57, EF1097, and YpkK composed of domains? Poster session presented at the 50th Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Microbiological Society, University of Otago, Dunedin.
Heng, N. C. K., Hale, J. D. F., Ting, Y.-T., Jack, R. W., & Tagg, J. R. (2005, November). Production of bacteriocins (mutacins) by streptococcus mutans UA159: Elucidation of the antimicrobial repertoire and export mechanish. Poster session presented at the 50th Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Microbiological Society, University of Otago, Dunedin.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Heng, N., Swe, P., Burtenshaw, G., Ting, Y. T., Ragland, N., Dufour, M., Tagg, J., & Jack, R. (2005, September). The large antimicrobial proteins (bacteriocins) of streptococci. Verbal presentation at the 16th Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococcal Diseases, Palm Cove, Australia.
Heng, N. C. K., Swe, P. M., Ting, Y.-T., Dufour, M., Ragland, N. L., Burtenshaw, G. A., Baird, H. J., Tagg, J. R., & Jack, R. W. (2005, November). The large antimicrobial proteins (bacteriocins) of streptococci. Verbal presentation at the 50th Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Microbiological Society, University of Otago, Dunedin.
2004
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.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Tompkins, G. R., Heng, N. C. K., & Tagg, J. R. (2004). Competence-dependent bacteriocin production in Streptococcus gordonii DL1 (Challis). Proceedings of the 44th Annual Meeting of Australia and New Zealand Division: International Association of Dental Research. Fiji: IADR. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Swe, P. M., Heng, N. C. K., Tagg, J. R., & Jack, R. W. (2004, November). Cloning and expression of potential antimicrobial proteins from Enterococci and Corynebacteria. Poster session presented at the New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference: Microbes outside the square, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Baird, H. J., Heng, N. C. K., Dufour, M., Tagg, J. R., & Jack, R. W. (2004, November). The antimicrobial protein dysgalacticin contains an essential disulphide bond. Poster session presented at the New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference: Microbes outside the square, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Hale, J. D. F., Heng, N. C. K., & Tagg, J. R. (2004, November). Bacteriocin production in Streptococcus mutans strain UA159: Genetic dissection of the mutacin IV locus. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference: Microbes outside the square, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Heng, N. C. K., Dufour, M., Ting, Y. T., Burtenshaw, G. A., Jack, R. W., & Tagg, J. R. (2004, November). Large antimicrobial proteins (bacteriocin) of Streptococci: Streptococcin A-M57 and Stellalysin A. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference: Microbes outside the square, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
2003
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.
2002
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Heng, N. C. K., Tagg, J. R., & Tompkins, G. R. (2002). Establishment of a relationship between competence for genetic transformation and bacteriocin production in Streptococcus gordonci DLI (Challis). ASM COnferences Streptococcal Genetics (6th). (pp. 68-69). Washington, D.C.: American Society for Microbiology. [Abstract]
Rahimi, M. A., Heng, N. C. K., Kieser, J. A., & Tompkins, G. R. (2002). Forensic PCR analysis of bacteria recovered from bitemarks. Journal of Dental Research. 81(Special Issue A), (pp. A149). Alexandria, VA, USA: International Association for Dental Research. [Abstract]
2001
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Keng, F.-Y., Heng, N. C. K., Tagg, J. R., & Tompkins, G. R. (2001). Bacteriocins revisited: Competence and Bacteriocin Sensitivity in Streptococcus gordonii. New Zealand Microbiological Society Annual meeting. [Abstract]
Rahimi, M. A., Heng, N. C., Kieser, J. A., & Tompkins, G. R. (2001). ForensicPCR analysis of bacteria recovered from bite marks. International Association for Dental Research Australia/New Zealand 41st Annual Scientific Meeting. [Abstract]
Keng, F.-Y., Heng, N. C. K., Tagg, J. R., & Tompkins, G. R. (2001). Competence-dependent bacteriocin sensitivity in Streptococcus gordonii. International Association for Dental Research Australia/New Zealand 41st Annual Scientific Meeting. [Abstract]
Heng, N. C. K., Tagg, J. R., & Tompkins, G. R. (2001). Licensed to Kill: Competence and Bacteriocin Production. Streptococcus gordonii. Wellington. [Abstract]
1999
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.
1997
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.