Paul Meyers | Actinomycete and Antibiotic Research Unit
Research | Publications | Collaborations | Lab members |
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Research |
We are investigating the diversity of South African actinobacteria as a source of novel antimycobacterial molecules (i.e. bioprospecting for new antibiotics). We are also investigating the diversity of actinobacterial endophytes of indigenous plants. Most of our work is on actinobacterial biodiversity and taxonomy rather than novel antimycobacterial molecules. We are investigating new DNA sequencing-based tools to improve actinobacterial taxonomy. These efforts include multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) based on protein-encoding genes (e.g. gyrB, rpoB, recA, atpD and relA), as well as the identification of molecular signatures (amino acid insertions and deletions) in protein-encoding genes. These sequencing tools should help to speed up the process of identifying environmental strains that belong to new actinobacterial species. This is important, as new species (biodiversity) provide access to new secondary metabolites (chemical diversity, e.g. new antibiotics). Particular interests at present are the genus Kribbella and all the genera in the family Streptosporangiaceae (Acrocarpospora, Herbidospora, Microbispora, Microtetraspora, Nonomuraea, Planobispora, Planomonospora, Planotetraspora, Sphaerimonospora, Sphaerisporangium, Streptosporangium, Thermoactinospora, Thermocatellispora, Thermopolyspora and Thermostaphylospora). |
Selected publications |
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Collaborations |
Dr Sunny Sunassee, Department of Chemistry, UCT. |
Lab members |
Linda Mtwana - M.Sc. | Isolation, identification and characterisation of actinobacteria from a hot-spring in Caledon. Adeebah Rakiep - M.Sc. | The assessment of actinobacterial biodiversity and antimycobacterial activity in various soil and water sources. |