Bacteria make a remarkable array of natural products with potent biological activities.
Many of these molecules have important medicinal and agricultural applications, including antibiotics, antifungals and anti-cancer agents. For example, over two-thirds of clinically used classes of antibiotic are made by the actinomycetes, which are filamentous bacteria commonly found in the soil and associated with plants.
An understanding of the biosynthesis of these molecules can inform the discovery of new natural products with clinically-promising activities, such as antibiotics active towards multidrug-resistant bacteria or new anti-cancer agents.
Research in the Truman group is focused on three interrelated research areas:
Selected Publications
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Ford JJ, Santos-Aberturas J, Hems ES, Sallmen JW, Bögeholz LAK, Polturak G, Osbourn A, Wright JA, Rodnina MV, Vereecke D, Francis IM, Truman AW (2025)Identification of the lydiamycin biosynthetic gene cluster in a plant pathogen guides structural revision and identification of molecular target.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of AmericaPublisher's version: 0027-8424
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Moffat AD, Höing L, Santos-Aberturas J, Markwalder T, Malone JG, Teufel R, Truman AW (2024)Understanding the biosynthesis, metabolic regulation, and anti-phytopathogen activity of 3,7-dihydroxytropolone in Pseudomonas spp.mBioPublisher's version: 2150-7511
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Eyles TH,Vior NM,Truman AW (2021)Understanding thioamitide biosynthesis using pathway engineering and untargeted metabolomicsChemical Science (12)Publisher's version: 2041-6539
Opportunities
Informal enquiries to join the group from interested Postgraduate and Postdoctoral Scientists are always welcomed.