Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Dr Bertram Daum

Dr Bertram Daum

Senior Research Fellow

 B.Daum2@exeter.ac.uk

 7455

 Living Systems Institute Living Systems Institute T03.1

 

Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD

Overview

I am a Senior Research Fellow in the Living Systems Institute.

Follow me on Twitter: @DaumLaboratory

Visit our lab's website: daumlab.exeter.ac.uk

Qualifications

2014: Dr phil. nat. in Biology, University of Frankfurt, Germany

2008:  MsSc in Biology, University of Kassel, Germany

Career

2018 - Present: Senior Research Fellow at the Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, UK 

2017 – 2018: Research Fellow at the Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, UK

2014 – 2017: Postdoctoral researcher at the Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany   

2008 – 2014: PhD research at the Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany

Links

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Research

Research interests

Archaea are ubiquitous microorganisms that are the ancestors of all eukaryotic life and inhabit diverse environments ranging from the most extreme to the human body. Archaea that are part of the human microbiome are increasingly recognised as key health factors in metabolic conditions such as obesity. Moreover, protein complexes derived from extremophilic archaea are ultra-stable and highly resilient to extreme conditions such as heat, pH and salt and are thus of great interest for bio- and nanotechnology. My lab employs state-of-the-art single particle electron cryo-microscopy and cryo-tomography to investigate the structure and function of archaeal surface proteins. These include S-layers, which form highly stable cage-like proteinaceous cell walls and the archaellum, a filamentous molecular machine used for rotary propulsion, surface adherence, biofilm formation and cell-cell communication. Our work will provide detailed information about how archaea move through and interact with their (microbiomal) environment and inform new approaches to exploit s-layers and the archaellum machinery in nanotechnology and drug delivery.

Group members

Dr Kelly Sanders (Lab Technician)

Dr Patricia Gil-Diez (Bioimaging Technician) 

Dr Mathew McLaren (Experimental Officer for cryoEM)

Dr Lavinia Gambelli (Postdoc) 

Matt Gaines (PhD student)

Equipment

Our brand-new lab is home to cultivation equipment for thermophiles, a cryoEM sample preparation facility, a cryo-capable 120 kV FEI T12 electron microscope for sample screening and a cutting-edge GPU computer cluster for image processing. For high resolution imaging, we share a 200 kV Talos Arctica electron microscope with the University of Bristol.

In the news

http://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/featurednews/title_603910_en.html

https://phys.org/news/2017-08-scientists-snapshots-molecular-propeller-degrees.html

http://www.sciencenewsline.com/news/2017082417090076.html

http://www.hitechdays.com/browser/253317/

Research projects

Biohybrid Microrobots inspired by Microbes

Biohybrid MicroRobots (BMRs) are conceptual microscopic robotic devices that combine synthetic and biological components and can be remote controlled to a specific destination, attach to a target and perform a bespoke biochemical operation at nanoscale precision. Within the 5-year Microrobots project, we intend to develop innovative BMRs by combining magnetic swimmers with prokaryotic S-layers. Read more on the project page.

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Publications

Journal articles

Kuiper BP, Schöntag AMC, Oksanen HM, Daum B, Quax TEF (2024). Archaeal virus entry and egress. microLife, 5
Gambelli L, McLaren M, Conners R, Sanders K, Gaines MC, Clark L, Gold VAM, Kattnig D, Sikora M, Hanus C, et al (2024). Structure of the two-component S-layer of the archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. eLife, 13 Abstract.
Buzzard E, McLaren M, Bragoszewski P, Brancaccio A, Ford H, Daum B, Kuwabara P, Collinson I, Gold V (2024). The consequence of ATP synthase dimer angle on mitochondrial morphology studied by cryo-electron tomography. Biochem J, 481(3), 161-175. Abstract.  Author URL.
Conners R, León-Quezada RI, McLaren M, Bennett NJ, Daum B, Rakonjac J, Gold VAM (2023). Cryo-electron microscopy of the f1 filamentous phage reveals insights into viral infection and assembly. Nature Communications, 14(1). Abstract.
McLaren M, Conners R, Isupov MN, Gil-Díez P, Gambelli L, Gold VAM, Walter A, Connell SR, Williams B, Daum B, et al (2023). CryoEM reveals that ribosomes in microsporidian spores are locked in a dimeric hibernating state. Nature Microbiology, 8(10), 1834-1845. Abstract.
McLaren M, Conners R, Isupov MN, Gil-Diez P, Gambelli L, Gold VAM, Walter A, Connell SR, Williams B, Daum B, et al (2023). CryoEM reveals that ribosomes in microsporidian spores are locked in a dimeric hibernating state. NATURE MICROBIOLOGY, 8(10), 1834-+.  Author URL.
Troman LA, Alvira S, Daum B, Gold VAM, Collinson I (2023). Interaction of the periplasmic chaperone SurA with the inner membrane protein secretion (SEC) machinery. Biochemical Journal, 480(4), 283-296. Abstract.
Gambelli L, Isupov MN, Conners R, McLaren M, Bellack A, Gold V, Rachel R, Daum B (2022). An archaellum filament composed of two alternating subunits. Nature Communications, 13(1). Abstract.
Gaines MC, Isupov MN, Sivabalasarma S, Haque RU, McLaren M, Mollat CL, Tripp P, Neuhaus A, Gold VAM, Albers S-V, et al (2022). Electron cryo-microscopy reveals the structure of the archaeal thread filament. Nature Communications, 13(1). Abstract.
Gambelli L, Isupov MN, Daum B (2022). Escaping the symmetry trap in helical reconstruction. Faraday Discussions, 240, 303-311. Abstract.
Bakker SE, Bhella D, Brescia R, Bullough P, Clare DK, Daum B, Frank RAW, Gold VAM, Jackson Hirst I, Kühlbrandt W, et al (2022). Pushing the limits in single particle cryo-EM: general discussion. Faraday Discussions, 240, 312-322.
Al-Otaibi N, Aminian J A, Anane RF, Baatsen P, Bakker SE, Bergeron J, Bharadwaj A, Bhella D, Braun T, Brescia R, et al (2022). Sample preparation in single particle cryo-EM: general discussion. Faraday Discuss, 240(0), 81-100.  Author URL.
Al-Otaibi N, Baatsen P, Bhella D, Brescia R, Bullough P, Daum B, de Bruin R, Frank R, Kühlbrandt W, López-Iglesias C, et al (2022). Tomographic analysis, CLEM: general discussion. Faraday Discussions, 240(0), 142-151.
Nuno de Sousa Machado J, Albers S-V, Daum B (2022). Towards Elucidating the Rotary Mechanism of the Archaellum Machinery. Front Microbiol, 13 Abstract.  Author URL.
Conners R, McLaren M, Łapińska U, Sanders K, Stone MRL, Blaskovich MAT, Pagliara S, Daum B, Rakonjac J, Gold VAM, et al (2021). CryoEM structure of the outer membrane secretin channel pIV from the f1 filamentous bacteriophage. Abstract.
Conners R, McLaren M, Łapińska U, Sanders K, Stone MRL, Blaskovich MAT, Pagliara S, Daum B, Rakonjac J, Gold VAM, et al (2021). CryoEM structure of the outer membrane secretin channel pIV from the f1 filamentous bacteriophage. Nature Communications, 12(1). Abstract.
Gambelli L, Isupov MN, Conners R, McLaren M, Bellack A, Gold V, Rachel R, Daum B (2021). New insights into the architecture and dynamics of archaella. Abstract.
Gambelli L, Mesman R, Versantvoort W, Diebolder CA, Engel A, Evers W, Jetten MSM, Pabst M, Daum B, van Niftrik L, et al (2021). The Polygonal Cell Shape and Surface Protein Layer of Anaerobic Methane-Oxidizing Methylomirabilislanthanidiphila Bacteria. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12 Abstract.
Gambelli L, Meyer BH, McLaren M, Sanders K, Quax TEF, Gold VAM, Albers SV, Daum B (2020). Architecture and modular assembly of Sulfolobus S-layers revealed by electron cryotomography. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 116(50), 25278-25286. Abstract.
Neuhaus A, Selvaraj M, Salzer R, Langer JD, Kruse K, Kirchner L, Sanders K, Daum B, Averhoff B, Gold VAM, et al (2020). Cryo-electron microscopy reveals two distinct type IV pili assembled by the same bacterium. Nature Communications, 11(1). Abstract.
Alvira S, Watkins DW, Troman LA, Allen WJ, Lorriman JS, Degliesposti G, Cohen EJ, Beeby M, Daum B, Gold VAM, et al (2020). Inter-membrane association of the Sec and BAM translocons for bacterial outer-membrane biogenesis. eLife, 9 Abstract.
Neuhaus A, Selvaraj M, Salzer R, Langer JD, Kruse K, Sanders K, Daum B, Averhoff B, Gold VAM (2019). A new twist on bacterial motility – two distinct type IV pili revealed by cryoEM. Abstract.
Gambelli L, Meyer B, McLaren M, Sanders K, Quax TEF, Gold V, Albers S-V, Daum B (2019). Architecture and modular assembly of<i>Sulfolobus</i>S-layers revealed by electron cryo-tomography. Abstract.
Alvira S, Watkins DW, Troman L, Allen WJ, Lorriman J, Degliesposti G, Cohen EJ, Beeby M, Daum B, Gold VAM, et al (2019). Inter-membrane association of the Sec and BAM translocons for bacterial outer-membrane biogenesis. Abstract.
Quax TEF, Daum B (2018). Structure and assembly mechanism of virus-associated pyramids. Biophys Rev, 10(2), 551-557. Abstract.  Author URL.
Daum B, Gold V (2018). Twitch or swim: Towards the understanding of prokaryotic motion based on the type IV pilus blueprint. Biological Chemistry, 399(7), 799-808. Abstract.
Davies K, Muehleip A, Blum T, Daum B, Anselmi C, Faraldo-Gómez J, Kühlbrandt W (2017). Structure and in Situ Organization of ATP Sythase and Respiratory Chain Complexes. Biophysical Journal, 112(3), 179a-180a.
Daum B, Vonck J, Bellack A, Chaudhury P, Reichelt R, Albers SV, Rachel R, Kühlbrandt W (2017). Structure and in situ organisation of the pyrococcus furiosus archaellum machinery. eLife, 6 Abstract.
Daum B, Auerswald A, Gruber T, Hause G, Balbach J, Kühlbrandt W, Meister A (2016). Supramolecular organization of the human N-BAR domain in shaping the sarcolemma membrane. Journal of Structural Biology, 194(3), 375-382.
Perras AK, Daum B, Ziegler C, Takahashi LK, Ahmed M, Wanner G, Klingl A, Leitinger G, Kolb-Lenz D, Gribaldo S, et al (2015). S-layers at second glance? Altiarchaeal grappling hooks (hami) resemble archaeal S-layer proteins in structure and sequence. Frontiers in Microbiology, 6
Daum B, Quax TEF, Sachse M, Mills DJ, Reimann J, Yildiz Ö, Häder S, Saveanu C, Forterre P, Albers S-V, et al (2014). Self-assembly of the general membrane-remodeling protein PVAP into sevenfold virus-associated pyramids. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(10), 3829-3834. Abstract.
Davies KM, Daum B, Gold VAM, Mühleip AW, Brandt T, Blum TB, Mills DJ, Kühlbrandt W (2014). Visualization of ATP Synthase Dimers in Mitochondria by Electron Cryo-tomography. Journal of Visualized Experiments(91).
Davies KM, Daum B, Gold VAM, Mühleip AW, Brandt T, Blum TB, Mills DJ, Kühlbrandt W (2014). Visualization of ATP synthase dimers in mitochondria by electron cryo-tomography. J Vis Exp(91). Abstract.  Author URL.
Daum B, Walter A, Horst A, Osiewacz HD, Kühlbrandt W (2013). Age-dependent dissociation of ATP synthase dimers and loss of inner-membrane cristae in mitochondria. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(38), 15301-15306. Abstract.
Quemin ERJ, Lucas S, Daum B, Quax TEF, Kühlbrandt W, Forterre P, Albers S-V, Prangishvili D, Krupovic M (2013). First Insights into the Entry Process of Hyperthermophilic Archaeal Viruses. Journal of Virology, 87(24), 13379-13385. Abstract.
Davies KM, Daum B (2013). Role of cryo-ET in membrane bioenergetics research. Biochemical Society Transactions, 41(5), 1227-1234. Abstract.
Davies KM, Anselmi C, Daum B, Faraldo-Gómez JD, Kühlbrandt W (2012). In situ structure of the mitochondrial F1Fo ATP synthase dimer and its role in shaping membrane morphology. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics, 1817, s11-s12.
Daum B, Walter A, Horst A, Heide H, Werner A, Brandt U, Osiewacz HD, Kühlbrandt W (2012). Macromolecular reorganization of mitochondria during aging. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics, 1817
Davies KM, Daum B, Kühlbrandt W, Anselmi C, Faraldo-Gómez J (2012). Structure of the Mitochondrial ATP Synthase and its Role in Shaping Mitochondria Cristae. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 18(S2), 56-57.
Sommer MS, Daum B, Gross LE, Weis BLM, Mirus O, Abram L, Maier U-G, Kühlbrandt W, Schleiff E (2011). Chloroplast Omp85 proteins change orientation during evolution. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(33), 13841-13846. Abstract.
Daum B, Kuhlbrandt W (2011). Electron tomography of plant thylakoid membranes. Journal of Experimental Botany, 62(7), 2393-2402.
Davies KM, Strauss M, Daum B, Kief JH, Osiewacz HD, Rycovska A, Zickermann V, Kühlbrandt W (2011). Macromolecular organization of ATP synthase and complex I in whole mitochondria. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(34), 14121-14126. Abstract.
Daum B, Nicastro D, Austin J, McIntosh JR, Kühlbrandt W (2010). Arrangement of Photosystem II and ATP Synthase in Chloroplast Membranes of Spinach and Pea  . The Plant Cell, 22(4), 1299-1312. Abstract.
Brust D, Daum B, Breunig C, Hamann A, Kühlbrandt W, Osiewacz HD (2010). Cyclophilin D links programmed cell death and organismal aging in <i>Podospora anserina</i>. Aging Cell, 9(5), 761-775. Abstract.

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External Engagement and Impact

Administrative responsibilities

I am currently chairing the Steering Committee for the South West Regional Facility for GW4-shared High-Resolution Electron Cryo-microscopy at the University of Bristol. 


Awards

in 2014, I received the Otto Hahn Medal from the Max-Planck-Society for outstanding junior scientists.

In 2014, I received the Young Investigator’s Prize from the Heinz-Bethge Foundation for Electron Microscopy. The award recognises extraordinary contributions to the field of cryoEM.

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