Project 2 - Antibiotic production and cellular development in Streptomyces

Applying for Summer 2025

School/Institute: School of Biological Sciences, UEA

Introduction: Streptomyces bacteria belong to a unique group of bacteria that is known for their production of a variety of secondary metabolites with biological activities such as antibiotics, growth promoters or anti-cancer agents. Streptomyces are also model organisms for a complex, multicellular life cycle. This begins with polar growth generating long, multi-nucleoidal and branching filaments that lack cell division. In the later stages, some non-branching filaments undergo a synchronous cell division event, creating chains of uni-genomic spores. Antibiotic production and morphological differentiation are closely linked, although the molecular mechanism of this connection is not fully understood.

Objectives and skills gained: The following research topics could be explored during the project:

The machinery of polar grow in Streptomyces and in a wide range of bacteria. Key cytoskeletal proteins that control polar growth and cell division will be studied and compared. Experimental approaches could include microbial molecular biology techniques for the generation of gene knockouts and fluorescent protein fusions. The mutant phenotypes and cellular localisation of proteins will be monitored using microscopy.
Characterisation of protein-protein interactions, using biochemical methods. Protein overexpression and purification, crosslinking and analysis including SDS-PAGE, native PAGE and ultracentrifugation. Protein-protein interaction will be also predicted using AlphaFold3 analysis.
Characterisation of knockout mutants with limited/no antibiotic production. The effect of these mutations on the cell cycle of the mutants will be investigated.