Microbial research is focused largely on infectious diseases and the complex interactions between microbes and their hosts. The microbes that we study include bacteria, algae, fungi and fungus-like organisms. These include pathogens that infect humans as well as those that cause disease on crop plants, livestock and even insects such as honey bees.
We are also interested in the responses of plants to abiotic stresses, and the fundamental biochemistry and molecular biology of plants and microbes.
There is an emphasis on understanding host responses to infection and host-pathogen interactions at a systems level.
We utilise techniques in cell biology, bio-imaging, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular genetics, immunology, structural biology, bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and population-based studies.
Research funding
Substantial research funding is present in the group from:
