Justin R. Nodwell, McMaster University
Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences
Professor
Hamilton, Ontario
nodwellj@mcmaster.ca
Office:
(905) 525-9140 ext. 27334
(905) 525-9140 ext. 27335
Expert In
Bio/Research
Nodwell Lab studies the way in which bacterial cells respond to chemicals. Our focus is on the fascinating bacterial genus Streptomyces. Streptomycetes are known for their 'secondary metabolism', which is the source of antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, antifungals and many other drugs. Paradoxicall...
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Bio/Research
Nodwell Lab studies the way in which bacterial cells respond to chemicals. Our focus is on the fascinating bacterial genus Streptomyces. Streptomycetes are known for their 'secondary metabolism', which is the source of antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, antifungals and many other drugs. Paradoxically, streptomycetes produce antibacterial compounds without killing themselves and we are interested in the mechanisms that allow this to happen. We find that the genomes of streptomycetes also encode an astounding array of resistance mechanisms for antibiotics produced by other streptomycetes. These resistance mechanisms are the source of a great deal of clinical antibiotic resistance.
We are interested in using what is known about secondary metabolism in Streptomyces coelicolor to facilitate the discovery of new antibiotics and other drugs in 'wild' bacteria. Streptomycetes isolated from Nature tend not to express their secondary metabolites at high levels (or even at all) in the laboratory. We are trying to use the discoveries we make to enhance the levels of these rare and important molecules. This facilitates the purification and analysis of novel molecules some of which could be the drugs of the future.
Another remarkable feature of the streptomycetes is their life cycle. This process involves the generation of specialized cell types each having distinct roles and fates - some cells produce antibiotics, others produce spores. We have used a screening approach to identify molecules effecting this life cycle. Some of these molecules perturb secondary metabolism and others interfere with aspects of spore formation. We are using these molecules to gain a better understanding of the regulatory and morphogenetic events behind both processes.
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We are interested in using what is known about secondary metabolism in Streptomyces coelicolor to facilitate the discovery of new antibiotics and other drugs in 'wild' bacteria. Streptomycetes isolated from Nature tend not to express their secondary metabolites at high levels (or even at all) in the laboratory. We are trying to use the discoveries we make to enhance the levels of these rare and important molecules. This facilitates the purification and analysis of novel molecules some of which could be the drugs of the future.
Another remarkable feature of the streptomycetes is their life cycle. This process involves the generation of specialized cell types each having distinct roles and fates - some cells produce antibiotics, others produce spores. We have used a screening approach to identify molecules effecting this life cycle. Some of these molecules perturb secondary metabolism and others interfere with aspects of spore formation. We are using these molecules to gain a better understanding of the regulatory and morphogenetic events behind both processes.
Click to Shrink <<