David Bellows
Adjunct Research Fellow
Phone: 04 463 5339
Email: address
Nearest Fax: 04 463 5331
Research Interests
Chemical biology and genetics: We use the awesome power of yeast genetics to prospect for novel chemical activities in vivo. The lab uses the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model eukaryote for studying chemical-genetic interactions. Available techniques include robotic high-throughput chemical screens, genome-wide genetic screens as well as traditional yeast genetics. Projects in the lab will focus on one of the following areas:
- Anti-fungal Drug Discovery: Yeasts possess few non-conserved essential targets for single-agent therapeutics. We will exploit the concept of synthetic lethality and genetic interactions to search for compounds that are lethal to yeast when used in combination, but have little effect alone. Defined genetic networks are leveraged to search for compounds that inhibit non-essential proteins. Candidate compounds will be tested pair-wise to search for combinations that inhibit yeast growth.
- Multi-drug Resistance (MDR) Network: Yeasts have developed an elaborate network of pumps and transporters to deal with their environment since they can't run away. One way to increase the potency of current anti-fungal agents is to disable the MDR network. The genetic network surrounding the yeast MDR genes will be explored using synthetic genetic array (SGA) analysis and phenotype rescue screens will be used to search for inhibitors of MDR genes.
- Natural Product Bioactivity: Yeast deletion mutants can act as sensitized strains to interrogate the activity of compounds that target non-essential proteins. Victoria University has a compendium of novel natural products derived from New Zealand biota whose bioactivity is unexplored. Mini-arrays of deletion mutants will be used as surrogate reporters for inhibitors of non-essential genes. The matrix of sensitive strains will be used to make predictions about potential targets.
Reasons you might consider working in a yeast lab:
- Yeasts smell good (think bread rising in an oven).
- You become friends with the organism responsible for your favourite beverage.
- Did I mention we get to play with robots?
Visit the Chemical Genetics Laboratory web page