The morphogenetic effects of DNA damage on the filamentous bacterium Streptomyces

Binary fission, the process in which one bacterium divides into two identical cells, is the most common form of bacterial cell division. However, not all bacteria grow like this. The Streptomyces are a filamentous bacterium that undergo a lifecycle (similar to eukaryotic fungi) which culminates in sporulation. The Streptomyces are a biomedically important bacterium as they have been the source of many modern medicines, from antibiotics to immunosuppressants. The production of these molecules is linked with the Streptomyces’ ability to complete its lifecycle. It is well known that bacteria respond to DNA damage by stalling cell division. However, research groups have yet to directly address the ways in which Streptomyces responds to DNA damage. By using real-time fluorescence microscopy with fluorescently-tagged proteins, my project aims to discover how the Streptomyces regulates its cell division in response to DNA damage. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Justin Nodwell

Student:

Partner:

John Innes Centre

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: