The Labbate group undertakes interdisciplinary research to solve complex problems affecting society and the environment. Although we engage in basic research, we work to apply this basic research to help modify government policy and improve industry outcomes.
We study bacterial evolution with a strong focus on the bacterial process of lateral gene transfer, a phenomenon that facilitates bacterial sharing of DNA and has been a major driving force in the emergence of bacterial pathogens and their resistance to antimicrobials.
Our group focuses on a group of marine bacteria called Vibrio species that cause disease in humans (e.g. diarrhoeal disease such as cholera) and aquaculture species (e.g. oysters) and in the movement of antimicrobial resistance genes between bacteria and their contamination in the wider environment and how this reservoir acts as a risk to humans and animals that come into contact with these reservoirs.
Collaborations
Within UTS
Professor Justin Seymour
Associate Professor Diane McDougald
Professor Steven Djordjevic
External
University of Sydney
La Trobe University
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Sydney Coastal Councils Group