Project information
GILLINGS, Prof. Michael (Mike)
Macquarie University
Casey, Australia (or home country)
Project aim
Bacteria can respond rapidly to environmental change by acquiring new genes via lateral gene transfer. A DNA element called the integron can capture, mobilise and express genes, thereby playing a role in the transfer process. We have discovered that integrons are surprisingly abundant in the environment and are associated with hitherto unsuspected diversity of novel genes. In this study we will assess the diversity of environmental integrons in a known petroleum contaminated site at Casey Station, Antarctica. We aim to determine if the integron system is likely to be a valuable tool in bioremediation and monitoring of contaminated sites.
Related publications
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Quantification of class 1 integron abundance in natural environments using real-time quantitative PCR FEMS Microbiology Letters, 2007
(Ref: 14102)
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
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Recovery of diverse genes for class 1 integron-integrases from environmental DNA samples FEMS Microbiology Letters, 2008
(Ref: 14101)
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
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Gene cassettes encoding resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds: a role in the origin of clinical class 1 integrons? The ISME Journal, 2009
(Ref: 14100)
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
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Evidence for dynamic exchange of qac gene cassettes between class 1 integrons and other integrons in freshwater biofilms FEMS Microbiology Letters, 2009
(Ref: 14099)
Authors:Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature