Solving a mercurial mystery: the evolutionary origin of mercury methylation. This project aims to investigate the evolutionary origin of microbial mercury methylation, testing a possible link with ars

Description

Solving a mercurial mystery: the evolutionary origin of mercury methylation. This project aims to investigate the evolutionary origin of microbial mercury methylation, testing a possible link with arsenic resistance. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of biogeochemistry and microbial genetics using a multi-omics approach to explore why microbes produce this more toxic form of mercury. Expected outcomes include expanding our understanding of the biochemical mechanism of mercury methylation and improving predictions of the production and accumulation of this toxin in aquatic ecosystems. This should provide significant environmental benefits, such as informing Australian regulation of mercury emissions, limiting the toxic effects of mercury on humans and wildlife, and its burden on food safety.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4105 - Pollution and Contamination. Lead: Dr Caitlin Gionfriddo