Shaun Lott’s Research Lab
We use molecular and structural biology to investigate
bacterial biochemistry and pathogenesis.
Current research projects
Antibiotic discovery
We are currently focussed on the enzyme RNase HI, which is responsible for digesting R-loops in cells. R-loops are DNA/RNA hybrid structures that are formed during mRNA production, which cause genomic damage if not removed. We have identified a set of compounds that inhibit RNase HI in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the causative agent of TB) and synergise with existing antibiotics. See details of these results here. We have recently shown that this is also true in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This project is funded by the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery.
RHS repeat proteins
We determined the first structure of a protein containing the RHS repeat (details are here). RHS repeats are found in the insecticidal ABC protein complexes and in the antibacterial RhsA protein family. In both cases, they serve as shell-like molecular chaperones that encapsulate unfolded protein toxins prior to delivery into target cells. We have recently shown that the encapsulated toxins can be encoded pretty much anywhere in the genome and still be delivered this way: our latest paper is here. We are aiming to engineer these complexes to be precision protein delivery machines. We have recently received Marsden funding to extend this work to look at the bacterial homologues of the teneurin proteins that mediate synapse formation in the nervous systems of higher eukaryotes. This project is a collaboration with Michael Landsberg at the University of Queensland and Mark Hurst at AgResearch.
PET degrading enzymes
We are using innovative protein engineering to optimise the activity of plastic-degrading bacterial enzymes by linking them using a novel bio-scaffold to optimise surface contact with the substrate. This project was funded by a Smart Ideas award from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
About Us
We are a small but active research group in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Drop By
Thomas Building North 110N-3004
3a Symonds Street
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland 1142
New Zealand
lottlab.com 