![]() coelicolor, and are focussing on a newly emerging, and universally important, class of regulators known as the small RNAs.ĭevelopment in multicellular bacteria Regulation by small RNAs Antibiotic production The goal of our research is to understand development and regulation in multicellular bacteria, using Streptomyces coelicolor as our model system. We are also interested in the regulatory networks that control differentiation, metabolism, and environmental adaptation in S. One aspect of our research is focused on understanding the components necessary for differentiation, and centres on a novel family of proteins, termed the chaplins, that are essential for the transition from one differentiated state to another. Intriguingly, this differentiation process coincides with the production of secondary metabolites. They are also unusual in that they have a complex, multicellular life cycle and are capable of differentiating into distinct tissue types. The streptomycetes are extremely important to the pharmaceutical industry as they make a large number of secondary metabolites having a profound medical benefit, including anti-cancer agents, immunosuppressants, and the majority of clinically useful antibiotics. We employ both of these empirical approaches in conjunction with our genomic analyses to help relate our understanding from developmental genetics with the natural variation observed in populations.ĭevelopment in multicellular bacteria Regulation by small RNAs Antibiotic production The goal of our research is to understand development and regulation in multicellular bacteria, using Streptomyces coelicolor as our model system. Most labs that work with Drosophila study either individual mutations of large effect (such as those that completely knock out a particular function) or subtle quantitative variation (rarely identifying specific genes). My research employs genetic and genomic approaches to address these issues, largely using Drosophila (fruit flies) as a model system. That is, how genetic (and environmental) variation modulate developmental processes and ultimately influence phenotypic outcomes. Specifically work in my lab aims to address the fundamental question about the mechanistic basis of observed phenotypic variation. My work aims to describe and analyze such interactions with experimental and quantitative rigor. Moreover, genes interact with one another and with the environment in a nonlinear fashion, resulting in complex phenotypes and evolutionary dynamics. ![]() Evolution typically involves many genes and often revolves around interactions between individuals and their environments. Yet this description obscures many issues that make evolution a fascinating area for study. Work in the Stone laboratory focuses on ‘big picture’ questions, as befits the Associate Director of the Origins Institute here at McMasterĪt one level, evolution is remarkably simple, with just a few concepts (mutation, recombination, random drift and natural selection) that underlie the overall process.Discoveries in the Elliot lab have revealed novel mechanisms governing bacterial development (PNAS, 2011), and led to the development of new strategies to stimulate antibiotic production (mBio, 2012).The Golding lab is a national leader in understanding molecular evolution, and has provided important analyses into antibiotic resistance (Nature, 2011), and the bubonic plague (Nature, 2011).Functional genomic analyses by the Finan lab (funded by Genome Canada) have significantly advanced our understanding of bacterial-plant symbiosis.Recent work by the Evans lab has uncovered new amphibian species (as profiled on CBC), revealed variation in the genetic mechanisms for sex determination in frogs, and explored how social systems affect gene evolution in primates.Infection modelling by the Dushoff lab has provided key insights into the spread of HIV and influenza infections (as published in PLoS Biology and PNAS).Herb Schellhorn and colleagues, to fund studies into water contamination by E. 2.8 million dollar ORF grant awarded to Dr.The long term goal is use this knowledge to improve crop stress tolerance and sustainability. Weretilnyk to use next generation sequencing to reveal the incredible stress tolerance mechanisms of the Yukon native plant Thellungiella. 3.5 million dollar Ontario Research Fund grant awarded to Dr.Applied Research, Work-Integrated Learning and Co-Op.Community-Engaged Experiential Learning.Applied Classroom-Based Experiential Learning.Experiential Opportunities Toggle Dropdown.
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