About the project
The membrane bilayer plays a crucial role in defining the boundaries of a cell, creating electrochemical gradients, and facilitating vital processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, and active transport. Through our previous research, we have uncovered a remarkable response exhibited by bacteria when their membranes are damaged, wherein proteins from the IM30 family are mobilised universally.
Building upon these findings, the AVERT project aims to deepen our understanding of how IM30 proteins function in safeguarding biological membranes from various stresses across divergent microbial lineages. By unravelling this intricate mechanism, we will unveil new fundamental insights into an early stage of robust cellular life's evolution.
Furthermore, our exploration of the cellular process at a mechanistic level holds promise in identifying novel pathways that can be targeted in the battle against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Notably, certain bacteria utilise IM30 proteins to resist antibiotics that specifically target cell membranes. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of these proteins could potentially lead us to innovative strategies for combating AMR.
Through the AVERT project, we endeavour to advance our knowledge of cellular defence mechanisms, shedding light on the evolutionary resilience of microorganisms.
The membrane bilayer plays a crucial role in defining the boundaries of a cell, creating electrochemical gradients, and facilitating vital processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, and active transport. Through our previous research, we have uncovered a remarkable response exhibited by bacteria when their membranes are damaged, wherein proteins from the IM30 family are mobilised universally.
Building upon these findings, the AVERT project aims to deepen our understanding of how IM30 proteins function in safeguarding biological membranes from various stresses across divergent microbial lineages. By unravelling this intricate mechanism, we will unveil new fundamental insights into an early stage of robust cellular life's evolution.
Furthermore, our exploration of the cellular process at a mechanistic level holds promise in identifying novel pathways that can be targeted in the battle against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Notably, certain bacteria utilise IM30 proteins to resist antibiotics that specifically target cell membranes. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of these proteins could potentially lead us to innovative strategies for combating AMR.
Through the AVERT project, we endeavour to advance our knowledge of cellular defence mechanisms, shedding light on the evolutionary resilience of microorganisms.
Our team
The AVERT project team comprises a multi-disciplinary team with expertise spanning microbiology, biophysics, biochemistry, genetics and cell biology, based at four leading UK Universities. The team comes together to bring about a step change in understanding IM30 proteins' function, and more generally, how cells protect themselves from environmental stresses. The AVERT Project was launched in November 2022 through a 5-year award from the BBSRC sLoLa grant.
AVERT sLoLa project consortium. Dec 2023, York
University of York
Professor Gavin Thomas - Professor of Molecular Microbiology, Department of Biology
Gavin is a microbiologist with over 20 years of microbial physiology, genetic and biochemistry experience in a range of bacteria, including E. coli and solventogenic clostridia. Gavin led the £3.2M BBSRC IB Catalyst Project DETOX, from where the discoveries and interest in IM30 emerged. He has strong networks in both fundamental & industrial microbiology, being the current Editor-in-Chief of Microbiology, the flagship journal of the Microbiology Society, and was a core member of BBSRC Committee B. He currently collaborates with Unilever, CHAIN Biotech, Glycom, & Fujifilm Diosynth Biotech on projects in the Engineering Biology field, funded by BBSRC responsive mode & iCASE studentships.
Professor Gavin Thomas - Professor of Molecular Microbiology, Department of Biology
Gavin is a microbiologist with over 20 years of microbial physiology, genetic and biochemistry experience in a range of bacteria, including E. coli and solventogenic clostridia. Gavin led the £3.2M BBSRC IB Catalyst Project DETOX, from where the discoveries and interest in IM30 emerged. He has strong networks in both fundamental & industrial microbiology, being the current Editor-in-Chief of Microbiology, the flagship journal of the Microbiology Society, and was a core member of BBSRC Committee B. He currently collaborates with Unilever, CHAIN Biotech, Glycom, & Fujifilm Diosynth Biotech on projects in the Engineering Biology field, funded by BBSRC responsive mode & iCASE studentships.
Professor Luke Mackinder – CNAP Chair in Algal Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology
Luke is the UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and brings unique knowledge, tools and methodologies of photosynthetic bacteria and algae needed in this project & co-supervises a PhD student with Gavin. His research focuses on biological CO2 fixation, where thylakoid maturation and function, processes where IM30 proteins are known to be important, are critical for efficient photosynthesis.
Luke is the UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and brings unique knowledge, tools and methodologies of photosynthetic bacteria and algae needed in this project & co-supervises a PhD student with Gavin. His research focuses on biological CO2 fixation, where thylakoid maturation and function, processes where IM30 proteins are known to be important, are critical for efficient photosynthesis.
Professor Jamie Blaza – UKRI Future Leader Fellow & Honorary Lecturer, Department of Chemistry
Jamie is an expert in the biophysics of bioenergetic systems based in the York Structural Biology Laboratory. His team use whole-cell biophysical techniques such as the bioenergetic chamber, functional biophysical approaches such as artificial proteoliposome electron-transport chains, and cryoEM to understand the molecular basis of energy transduction in Mycobacterium sp and other bacterial systems.
Jamie is an expert in the biophysics of bioenergetic systems based in the York Structural Biology Laboratory. His team use whole-cell biophysical techniques such as the bioenergetic chamber, functional biophysical approaches such as artificial proteoliposome electron-transport chains, and cryoEM to understand the molecular basis of energy transduction in Mycobacterium sp and other bacterial systems.
Dr Benjamin Willson – Research Co-Investigator, Department of Biology
Ben is an experienced PDRA who led the PspA work in DETOX & discovered the clostridial systems that the AVERT project will further explore. During the project, Ben is being supported in developing scientific leadership skills to aim for an independent position at the end of this work.
Ben is an experienced PDRA who led the PspA work in DETOX & discovered the clostridial systems that the AVERT project will further explore. During the project, Ben is being supported in developing scientific leadership skills to aim for an independent position at the end of this work.
Dr Anna Alessi – Project Manager
Anna has >15+ years of postdoctoral experience in managing multi-disciplinary academic and industry-led projects. She managed the delivery of the £1.8M BBSRC/IUK-funded Newton Bhabha project and the £1.2M ADCEY programme, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Anna supports the delivery of the project's objectives and coordinates the project’s activities.
Anna has >15+ years of postdoctoral experience in managing multi-disciplinary academic and industry-led projects. She managed the delivery of the £1.8M BBSRC/IUK-funded Newton Bhabha project and the £1.2M ADCEY programme, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Anna supports the delivery of the project's objectives and coordinates the project’s activities.
Dr Katy Davis - PDRA
Katy completed her PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge, focusing on Golgi-localised enzymes involved in plant cell wall biosynthesis. She has now returned to York (where she completed her undergraduate degree in biochemistry) to join the Mackinder lab, and is investigating proteins involved in membrane remodelling in Chlamydomonas and Thalassiosira.
Katy completed her PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge, focusing on Golgi-localised enzymes involved in plant cell wall biosynthesis. She has now returned to York (where she completed her undergraduate degree in biochemistry) to join the Mackinder lab, and is investigating proteins involved in membrane remodelling in Chlamydomonas and Thalassiosira.
Dr Justin Lau - PDRA
Justin investigates the IM30 proteins in the cyanobacteria using in-vivo and in-vitro methods. He completed his PhD in 2023 in the Mackinder lab, exploring the complex CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM)
Justin investigates the IM30 proteins in the cyanobacteria using in-vivo and in-vitro methods. He completed his PhD in 2023 in the Mackinder lab, exploring the complex CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM)
Dr Fiazall Tufail - PDRA
Fiazall explores how Bacillus subtilis protects its membranes and bioenergetic system from toxic stress and changing environments. Previously, he was a PhD student with Prof. Bill Rutherford and Dr James Murray (Imperial College London), applying cryo-EM to understand far-red photosynthesis.
Fiazall explores how Bacillus subtilis protects its membranes and bioenergetic system from toxic stress and changing environments. Previously, he was a PhD student with Prof. Bill Rutherford and Dr James Murray (Imperial College London), applying cryo-EM to understand far-red photosynthesis.
University of Nottingham
Professor Boyan Bonev – Professor of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
Boyan is a biophysicist with expertise in the application of biomolecular NMR to biological membranes and their interactions with small molecules and proteins at the University of Nottingham. Boyan’s team was a member of Project DETOX where they developed applied NMR methods on the model and real biological membranes to examine the interactions of lipids with industrial biochemicals and more recently with PspA proteins.
Boyan is a biophysicist with expertise in the application of biomolecular NMR to biological membranes and their interactions with small molecules and proteins at the University of Nottingham. Boyan’s team was a member of Project DETOX where they developed applied NMR methods on the model and real biological membranes to examine the interactions of lipids with industrial biochemicals and more recently with PspA proteins.
Dr Vivien Yeh – Research Co-Investigator
Vivien was part of Project DETOX and is a leading young scientist in the application of NMR methods to study the interactions of small molecules and proteins with biological membranes. She will lead the NMR work in the project.
Vivien was part of Project DETOX and is a leading young scientist in the application of NMR methods to study the interactions of small molecules and proteins with biological membranes. She will lead the NMR work in the project.
Dr Alice Goode - Senior Lab Officer
Alice is a senior research officer at the University of Nottingham in Boyan Bonev’s lab. Alice was awarded PhD in Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham in 2013. She has a strong interests in antibiotic resistance, membrane biophysics and solving proteins structures.
Alice is a senior research officer at the University of Nottingham in Boyan Bonev’s lab. Alice was awarded PhD in Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham in 2013. She has a strong interests in antibiotic resistance, membrane biophysics and solving proteins structures.
Newcastle University
Professor Henrik Strahl – Professor of Molecular Microbiology, Biosciences Institute
Henrik is a bacterial cell biologist, studying bacterial cell envelope integrity using microscopic methods. He has pioneered the use of fluorescent dyes to analyse membrane integrity on a single cell level and brings expertise in analysing protein-membrane interactions in vivo. His research is funded by BBSRC grants and several BBSRC and MRC (incl. two iCASE) studentships. As a member of the Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology at Newcastle, he has access to a wide range of microscopes optimised for bacteria work, including a new cutting-edge TIRF microscope funded by a BBSRC Alert19 grant. He is an Editor of Microbiology.
Henrik is a bacterial cell biologist, studying bacterial cell envelope integrity using microscopic methods. He has pioneered the use of fluorescent dyes to analyse membrane integrity on a single cell level and brings expertise in analysing protein-membrane interactions in vivo. His research is funded by BBSRC grants and several BBSRC and MRC (incl. two iCASE) studentships. As a member of the Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology at Newcastle, he has access to a wide range of microscopes optimised for bacteria work, including a new cutting-edge TIRF microscope funded by a BBSRC Alert19 grant. He is an Editor of Microbiology.
Professor Susanne Gebhard - Professor of Molecular Biotechnology, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Susanne is a microbiologist who brings complementary skills working on the physiology and regulation of membrane systems in the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis including their roles in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including the IM30-containing Lia system. Working at the University of Bath, she has attracted ca.£1.5M from BBSRC & EPSRC, including as co-PI in major cross-institutional research programmes. In February 2023, she took up a Professorship in Molecular Biotechnology at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany. She will collaborate closely with Henrik Strahl, co-leading the team of researchers at Newcastle University.
Susanne is a microbiologist who brings complementary skills working on the physiology and regulation of membrane systems in the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis including their roles in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including the IM30-containing Lia system. Working at the University of Bath, she has attracted ca.£1.5M from BBSRC & EPSRC, including as co-PI in major cross-institutional research programmes. In February 2023, she took up a Professorship in Molecular Biotechnology at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany. She will collaborate closely with Henrik Strahl, co-leading the team of researchers at Newcastle University.
Dr Jessica Buttress - PDRA
Jess is a microbiologist with a BSc degree from the University of Leeds and a PhD in Microbiology from Newcastle University (2022). Her role on the project is to investigate the in-vivo function and localisation of IM30 proteins in the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis.
Jess is a microbiologist with a BSc degree from the University of Leeds and a PhD in Microbiology from Newcastle University (2022). Her role on the project is to investigate the in-vivo function and localisation of IM30 proteins in the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis.
Dr Rachel Darnell - PDRA
Rachel obtained her PhD in 2017 at the University of Otago (New Zealand), where she worked as a research fellow before joining the project in January 2024. She explores the role of the cell envelope stress response in antimicrobial tolerance and resistance in Enterococcus faecalis.
Rachel obtained her PhD in 2017 at the University of Otago (New Zealand), where she worked as a research fellow before joining the project in January 2024. She explores the role of the cell envelope stress response in antimicrobial tolerance and resistance in Enterococcus faecalis.
University of Cambridge
Professor Kathryn Lilley - Director, Cambridge Centre for Proteomics
Kathryn is a biochemist and a world-leading expert in proteomics. Her background is in proteomics technology development, focussing on the spatial arrangement of proteins in cells, especially membrane proteins and their interacting partners. She is the director of the University of Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, receiving significant BBSRC funding from the previous sLOLA projects. She has won several awards and is a member of EMBO since 2020.
Kathryn is a biochemist and a world-leading expert in proteomics. Her background is in proteomics technology development, focussing on the spatial arrangement of proteins in cells, especially membrane proteins and their interacting partners. She is the director of the University of Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, receiving significant BBSRC funding from the previous sLOLA projects. She has won several awards and is a member of EMBO since 2020.
Dr Mehul Makwana - PDRA (former)
Mehul served as a post-doctoral research scientist. He left the project in March 2026 and joined the John Innes Centre Proteomics Facilities as a Technical Specialist.
Mehul served as a post-doctoral research scientist. He left the project in March 2026 and joined the John Innes Centre Proteomics Facilities as a Technical Specialist.
Dr Javeria Mehboob - PDRA
Javeria obtained her PhD in 2025 and joined the project in May 2026. She has a background in mass spectrometry and will continue Mehul's work on quantifying IM30 proteins and the PTMs in our model microorganisms using advanced mass spectrometry techniques.
Javeria obtained her PhD in 2025 and joined the project in May 2026. She has a background in mass spectrometry and will continue Mehul's work on quantifying IM30 proteins and the PTMs in our model microorganisms using advanced mass spectrometry techniques.
Our approach
The AVERT project will embark on a comprehensive investigation, gathering experimental data from seven model microorganisms that contain IM30 proteins. The project's team will employ microbial genetics, advanced biophysical techniques, and bioinformatics to achieve its goals.
A primary focus of the project involves optimizing transformative technologies that enable precise measurements of membrane potential in live microbial cells. Specifically, a bioenergetic chamber and voltage-sensitive dyes will be utilized. These innovative tools will significantly contribute to our understanding of how IM30 proteins confer protection against membrane damage in diverse evolutionary lineages. Consequently, this research will unearth invaluable fundamental knowledge concerning an early stage in the evolution of resilient cellular life.
To unravel the intricate mechanisms through which IM30 proteins safeguard membranes, the AVERT project will undertake the following key objectives:
By pursuing these ambitious objectives, the AVERT project aims to significantly advance our knowledge of membrane protection mechanisms and their evolution. The outcomes of this research will have far-reaching implications, ranging from fundamental biological understanding to the development of novel strategies for combatting antimicrobial resistance.
A primary focus of the project involves optimizing transformative technologies that enable precise measurements of membrane potential in live microbial cells. Specifically, a bioenergetic chamber and voltage-sensitive dyes will be utilized. These innovative tools will significantly contribute to our understanding of how IM30 proteins confer protection against membrane damage in diverse evolutionary lineages. Consequently, this research will unearth invaluable fundamental knowledge concerning an early stage in the evolution of resilient cellular life.
To unravel the intricate mechanisms through which IM30 proteins safeguard membranes, the AVERT project will undertake the following key objectives:
- In WP1, the team will identify universal properties and unique characteristics that relate to the function of IM30 proteins in distinct microbial lineages. This will involve generating a library of IM30 proteins from model microorganisms, assessing their abundance, investigating their interactions with the membrane, and studying their in vivo function and localization.
- WP2 aims to map out the accessory protein network of the model organisms and analyze their interactions to identify protein complexes. Additionally, the function of accessory proteins will be assessed in vivo, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the overall system.
- In WP3 , novel assays will be developed to enable real-time assessment of membrane function. The bioenergetic chamber and voltage-sensitive dyes will be employed to measure gradients in live bacterial cells. These methods will be specifically applied to investigate membrane damage in photosynthetic organisms, shedding light on the role of IM30 proteins in this context.
- WP4 will focus on determining the efficacy of IM30 proteins in protecting membranes against antimicrobial agents, utilizing the methods developed throughout the project. This investigation will provide valuable insights into the potential of IM30 proteins as defence mechanisms against antimicrobial resistance.
By pursuing these ambitious objectives, the AVERT project aims to significantly advance our knowledge of membrane protection mechanisms and their evolution. The outcomes of this research will have far-reaching implications, ranging from fundamental biological understanding to the development of novel strategies for combatting antimicrobial resistance.
Scientific Advisory Board
Professor Tracy Palmer FRS FRSE FMedSci (former)
Tracy is a Professor of Microbiology and Lead for the Microbes in Health and Disease team in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University. She has a long-standing interest in the bacterial cell envelope, and in particular, the processes that bacteria use to transport proteins across cell membranes. She is interested in the functional organisation of protein export systems, and also in the exported proteins and their roles in bacterial physiology.
Professor Nicola Stanley-Wall
Nicola is a Professor of Microbiology and Head of the Division of Molecular Microbiology in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee. Nicola's interests are centred on using molecular biology and biochemistry to understand how bacteria build multicellular communities called biofilms. In particular, her group is interested in the way the molecules in the biofilm matrix provide support and protection to biofilms formed by the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis.
Professor Martin Buck FRS
Martin is a Professor of Molecular Microbiology at the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London. Martin's work falls into the area of mechanistic molecular microbiology. In particular, his group researches the strategies used by bacteria to regulate gene transcription in response to abiotic and biotic cues using bacterial systems of agronomic, medical and industrial relevance.
Professor Ben Engel
Ben is a Professor at the Centre for Molecular Life Sciences at the University of Basel (Switzerland). The major focus of his group's research is on the molecular architecture of chloroplasts and cyanobacteria that enables cells to harvest light energy and fix carbon dioxide. In addition to classical model organisms, Ben's team studies photosynthesis in diverse marine algae.
Professor Jeff Green
Jeff is an Emeritus Professor of Microbiology in the School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield. Research in Jeff's laboratory focused on how bacteria respond to stress; particularly interested in how bacteria (Escherichia coli; Salmonella enterica; Microbacterium tuberculosis) sense and respond to changes in oxygen availability, and to oxidative and nitrosative stresses.
Dr Chris MacDonald
Chris is a Sir Henry Dale Research Fellow at the University of York. The focus of his lab is to understand intracellular trafficking pathways used by cell surface membrane proteins, which perform many crucial cellular functions. In particular, the group studies how surface proteins are recycled from endosomes back to the plasma membrane.
Tracy is a Professor of Microbiology and Lead for the Microbes in Health and Disease team in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University. She has a long-standing interest in the bacterial cell envelope, and in particular, the processes that bacteria use to transport proteins across cell membranes. She is interested in the functional organisation of protein export systems, and also in the exported proteins and their roles in bacterial physiology.
Professor Nicola Stanley-Wall
Nicola is a Professor of Microbiology and Head of the Division of Molecular Microbiology in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee. Nicola's interests are centred on using molecular biology and biochemistry to understand how bacteria build multicellular communities called biofilms. In particular, her group is interested in the way the molecules in the biofilm matrix provide support and protection to biofilms formed by the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis.
Professor Martin Buck FRS
Martin is a Professor of Molecular Microbiology at the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London. Martin's work falls into the area of mechanistic molecular microbiology. In particular, his group researches the strategies used by bacteria to regulate gene transcription in response to abiotic and biotic cues using bacterial systems of agronomic, medical and industrial relevance.
Professor Ben Engel
Ben is a Professor at the Centre for Molecular Life Sciences at the University of Basel (Switzerland). The major focus of his group's research is on the molecular architecture of chloroplasts and cyanobacteria that enables cells to harvest light energy and fix carbon dioxide. In addition to classical model organisms, Ben's team studies photosynthesis in diverse marine algae.
Professor Jeff Green
Jeff is an Emeritus Professor of Microbiology in the School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield. Research in Jeff's laboratory focused on how bacteria respond to stress; particularly interested in how bacteria (Escherichia coli; Salmonella enterica; Microbacterium tuberculosis) sense and respond to changes in oxygen availability, and to oxidative and nitrosative stresses.
Dr Chris MacDonald
Chris is a Sir Henry Dale Research Fellow at the University of York. The focus of his lab is to understand intracellular trafficking pathways used by cell surface membrane proteins, which perform many crucial cellular functions. In particular, the group studies how surface proteins are recycled from endosomes back to the plasma membrane.
Funding
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This project is funded by BBSRC (BB/X003035/1). For more information please visit: Understanding the function of an ancient universal membrane effector. Please contact Anna Alessi if you interested in this project.
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