
Overview
Background
Professor Mark Schembri is a prominent microbiologist with experience in combating the global health crisis presented by multi-drug resistant pathogens. Professor Schembri’s expertise on the virulence of bacterial pathogens and his innovative analysis of biofilm formation aims to improve the outcomes of the >400 million individuals that suffer from urinary tract infections each year across the globe.
Through the application of genetic, genomic and functional studies on uropathogenic E. coli, Professor Schembri has identified targets to reduce the virulence of this pathogen, and will pursue the development of life-saving therapeutic and preventative advances with the assistance of NHMRC, MRFF and ARC grants. Professor Schembri has tracked the rapid emergence and global spread of a virulent, drug-resistant E. coli clone and used genome sequencing to understand its evolution and virulence.
Links: Professor Schembri collaborates with national and international research leaders, including in Denmark, where he was a lecturer. Professor Schembri has strong links with other international experts in his field, including at the Pasteur Institute and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge. His research collaborations also span lead groups at UQ and other top Australian institutes, including Griffith and La Trobe Universities.
Membership, Funding and patents: Since 2014, Professor Schembri has been awarded over $15 million in funding from competitive national research funding bodies. He holds provisional patents for the development of novel therapeutic agents and vaccine antigens. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, and is regularly invited to speak at international conferences in his field.
Awards and Communication: Professor Schembri was the recipient of the Frank Fenner Award (2010) and the ASM BacPath Oration Award (2019) for his outstanding original research contribution to the study of Infectious Disease. He was an Australian Research Council Future Fellow (2011-2015) a National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellow (2016-2020). Professor Schembri is the author of >240 peer-reviewed research manuscripts. He is President of the Australian Society for Microbiology (2022-2026).
Availability
- Professor Mark Schembri is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Monash University
Research impacts
Professor Schembri’s outstanding original work in the field of infectious disease and multi-drug resistant pathogens has led to several key advances in the fight to reduce the prevalence and improve outcomes of urinary tract infections.
Key research outputs: The genomic epidemiology of the most widespread antibiotic resistant uropathogenic E. coli clone allowed its origin and dissemination to be mapped on a global scale. Recent work in Professor Schembri’s group has defined the virulence of this pathogen using advanced genetic, transcriptomic and proteomic methods in conjunction with mouse models of infection. He has also led the use of new treatments to prevent infection by this antibiotic resistant pathogen.
Key capabilities: Professor Schembri has deep expertise in microbiology, with particular capability in the study of antibiotic resistant Gram-negative bacterial pathogens and high-throughput modelling of drug-resistant biofilms, as well as the application of forefront technologies to examine virulence, genomic epidemiology, host-pathogen interactions and novel strategies for the treatment/prevention of infectious diseases.
Works
Search Professor Mark Schembri’s works on UQ eSpace
2006
Journal Article
Molecular characterization of the Escherichia coli asymptomatic bacteriuria strain 83972: The taming of a pathogen
Klemm, Per, Roos, Victoria, Ulett, Glen C., Svanborg, Catharina and Schembri, Mark A. (2006). Molecular characterization of the Escherichia coli asymptomatic bacteriuria strain 83972: The taming of a pathogen. Infection and Immunity, 74 (1), 781-785. doi: 10.1128/IAI.74.1.781-785.2006
2005
Journal Article
Capsule and fimbria interaction in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Schembri, Mark A., Blom, Jens, Krogfelt, Karen A. and Klemm, Per (2005). Capsule and fimbria interaction in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Infection and Immunity, 73 (8), 4626-4633. doi: 10.1128/IAI.73.8.4626-4633.2005
2005
Journal Article
Receptor binding studies disclose a novel class of high-affinity inhibitors of the Escherichia coli FimH adhesin
Bouckaert, Julie, Berglund, Jenny, Schembri, Mark, De Genst, Erwin, Cool, Lieve, Wuhrer, Manfred, Hung, Chia-Suei, Pinkner, Jerome, Slattegard, Rikard, Zavialov, Anton, Choudhury, Devapriya, Langermann, Solomon, Hultgren, Scott J., Wyns, Lode and Klemm, Per (2005). Receptor binding studies disclose a novel class of high-affinity inhibitors of the Escherichia coli FimH adhesin. Molecular Microbiology, 55 (2), 441-455. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2004.04415.x
2004
Journal Article
Novel roles for the AIDA adhesion from diarrheagenic Escherichia coli: Cell aggregation and biofilm formation
Sherlock, Orla, Schembri, Mark A., Reisner, Andreas and Klemm, Per (2004). Novel roles for the AIDA adhesion from diarrheagenic Escherichia coli: Cell aggregation and biofilm formation. Journal of Bacteriology, 186 (23), 8058-8065. doi: 10.1128/JB.186.23.8058-8065.2004
2004
Journal Article
Capsule shields the function of short bacterial adhesins
Schembri, Mark A., Dalsgaard, Dorte and Klemm, Per (2004). Capsule shields the function of short bacterial adhesins. Journal of Bacteriology, 186 (5), 1249-1257. doi: 10.1128/JB.186.5.1249-1257.2004
2004
Journal Article
Elucidation of the antibacterial mechanism of the Curvularia haloperoxidase system by DNA microarray profiling
Hansen, E. H., Schembri, M. A., Klemm, P., Schafer, T., Molin, S. and Gram, L. (2004). Elucidation of the antibacterial mechanism of the Curvularia haloperoxidase system by DNA microarray profiling. Applied And Environmental Microbiology, 70 (3), 1749-1757. doi: 10.1128/AEM.70.3.1749-1757.2004
2004
Journal Article
Type 1 fimbriae, curli, and antigen 43: Adhesion, colonization, and biofilm formation
Klemm, Per and Schembri, Mark (2004). Type 1 fimbriae, curli, and antigen 43: Adhesion, colonization, and biofilm formation. EcoSal Plus, 1 (1) ecosalplus.8.3.2.6. doi: 10.1128/ecosalplus.8.3.2.6
2004
Journal Article
Structure-function analysis of the self-recognizing Antigen 43 autotransporter protein from Escherichia coli
Klemm, P., Hjerrild, L., Gjermansen, M. and Schembri, M. A. (2004). Structure-function analysis of the self-recognizing Antigen 43 autotransporter protein from Escherichia coli. Molecular Microbiology, 51 (1), 283-296. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2003.03833.x
2003
Journal Article
Attenuation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence by quorum sensing inhibitors
Hentzer, Morten, Wu, Hong, Andersen, Jens Bo, Riedel, Kathrin, Rasmussen, Thomas B., Bagge, Niels, Kumar, Naresh, Schembri, Mark A., Song, Zhijun, Kristoffersen, Peter, Manefield, Mike, Costerton, John W., Molin, Søren, Eberl, Leo and Steinberg, Peter (2003). Attenuation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence by quorum sensing inhibitors. Embo Journal, 22 (15), 3803-3815. doi: 10.1093/emboj/cdg366
2003
Journal Article
Development and maturation of Escherichia coli K-12 biofilms
Reisner, A., Haagensen, J. A. J., Schembri, M. A., Zechner, E. L. and Molin, S. (2003). Development and maturation of Escherichia coli K-12 biofilms. Molecular Microbiology, 48 (4), 933-946. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2003.03490.x
2003
Journal Article
Differential expression of the Escherichia coli autoaggregation factor antigen 43
Schembri, Mark A., Hjerrild, Louise, Gjermansen, Morten and Klemm, Per (2003). Differential expression of the Escherichia coli autoaggregation factor antigen 43. Journal of Bacteriology, 185 (7), 2236-2242. doi: 10.1128/JB.185.7.2236-2242.2003
2003
Journal Article
Global gene expression in Escherichia coli biofilms
Schembri, M. A., Kjaergaard, K. and Klemm, P. (2003). Global gene expression in Escherichia coli biofilms. Molecular Microbiology, 48 (1), 253-267. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2003.03432.x
2002
Journal Article
Antigen 43-mediated autotransporter display, a versatile bacterial cell surface presentation system
Kjaergaard, K., Hasman, H., Schembri, M. A. and Klemm, P. (2002). Antigen 43-mediated autotransporter display, a versatile bacterial cell surface presentation system. Journal of Bacteriology, 184 (15), 4197-4204. doi: 10.1128/JB.184.15.4197-4204.2002
2002
Journal Article
DNA microarray analysis of fim mutations in Escherichia coli
Schembri, M. A., Ussery, D. W., Workman, C., Hasman, H. and Klemm, P. (2002). DNA microarray analysis of fim mutations in Escherichia coli. Molecular Genetics And Genomics, 267 (6), 721-729. doi: 10.1007/s00438-002-0705-2
2002
Journal Article
An Attractive Surface: Gram-Negative Bacterial Biofilms
Schembri, Mark A., Givskov, Michael and Klemm, Ker (2002). An Attractive Surface: Gram-Negative Bacterial Biofilms. Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment, 132 (132), RE6-re6. doi: 10.1126/stke.2002.132.re6
2002
Journal Article
An attractive surface: gram-negative bacterial biofilms
Schembri, Mark A, Givskov, Michael and Klemm, Per (2002). An attractive surface: gram-negative bacterial biofilms. Science's STKE : signal transduction knowledge environment, 2002 (132)
2001
Journal Article
Identification of genes implicated in toxin production in the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii
Schembri, M. A., Neilan, B. A. and Saint, C. P. (2001). Identification of genes implicated in toxin production in the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. Environmental Toxicology, 16 (5), 413-421. doi: 10.1002/tox.1051
2001
Journal Article
FimH-mediated autoaggregation of Escherichia coli
Schembri, M. A., Christiansen, G. and Klemm, P. (2001). FimH-mediated autoaggregation of Escherichia coli. Molecular Microbiology, 41 (6), 1419-1430. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2001.02613.x
2001
Journal Article
Valency conversion in the type 1 fimbrial adhesin of Escherichia coli
Sokurenko, E. V., Schembri, M. A., Trintchina, E., Kjaergaard, K., Hasty, D. L. and Klemm, P. (2001). Valency conversion in the type 1 fimbrial adhesin of Escherichia coli. Molecular Microbiology, 41 (3), 675-686. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2001.02545.x
2001
Journal Article
Coordinate gene regulation by fimbriae-induced signal transduction
Schembri, M. A. and Klemm, P. (2001). Coordinate gene regulation by fimbriae-induced signal transduction. EMBO Journal, 20 (12), 3074-3081. doi: 10.1093/emboj/20.12.3074
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Mark Schembri is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding virulence factors and their regulation in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nhu Nguyen
-
Doctor Philosophy
How bacteria form antibiotic resistant biofilms
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nhu Nguyen, Dr Duy Phan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Diversity, regulation and function of the uropathogenic Escherichia coli capsule
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Sweet, Dr Duy Phan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Application of Transposon Directed Insertion Site Sequencing to Enhance Understanding of Essential Genes in Escherichia coli
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Henderson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic and molecular characterisation of antibiotic resistance mechanisms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Brian Forde
-
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial effects on host mitochondrial DNA
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Zuryn
-
Doctor Philosophy
Application of Transposon Directed Insertion Site Sequencing to Enhance Understanding of Essential Genes in Escherichia coli
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Henderson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Identifying new targets for treatment of antimicrobial resistant infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Henderson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Boosting innate immune defence to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Divya Ramnath, Professor Matt Sweet
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding virulence factors and their regulation in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nhu Nguyen
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding antibiotic resistance and virulence in uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Duy Phan
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the regulation of biofilm matrix components in uropathogenic Escherichia coli virulence
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nhu Nguyen
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Virulence and Resistance Plasmids of Extra-intestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Duy Phan
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of Escherichia coli fimbrial and autotransporter adhesins
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Duy Phan
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular characterisation of A/C plasmids
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Duy Phan
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular and genomic analysis of multidrug resistant Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Scott Beatson
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of flagella and resistance to oxidative stress in Escherichia coli ST131 virulence
Principal Advisor
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of Factors Involved in Escherichia coli Virulence: Type Ve Inverse Autotransporter Proteins and the K1 Capsule
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Master Philosophy
Autotransporter Proteins of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli: Regulation, Characterisation and the Role of Periplasmic Proteins in their Expression
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli: Towards a Better Understanding through the Characterisation of a Vaccine Antigen and Virulence Factor
Principal Advisor
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Evolutionary Phylogeny and Molecular Characterisation of Chaperone-Usher Fimbriae from Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Principal Advisor
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the Virulence Potential of the Multidrug Resistant Uropathogenic Escherichia coli ST131 clone
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Scott Beatson
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular analysis of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from an intensive care unit
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Scott Beatson
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Identification and Characterisation of New Adhesins in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Principal Advisor
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular characterisation of asymptomatic bacteriuria Escherichia coli
Principal Advisor
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Identification and characterisation of novel surface proteins of the urinary tract pathogen Staphylococcus saprophyticus
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Scott Beatson
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Identification and Characterisation of Novel Autotransporters of Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Bacterial Aggregation and Biofilm Formation by Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Principal Advisor
-
2024
Master Philosophy
Theoretical investigations of integron evolution in bacteria
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jan Engelstaedter
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Application of Transposon Directed Insertion Site Sequencing to Enhance Understanding of Essential Genes in Escherichia coli
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Henderson
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of the macrophage zinc toxicity response as an antimicrobial weapon
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Sweet
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
A bitter taste in your heart: the role of T2Rs in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Walker, Professor Wally Thomas
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding Roles of Commonly Prescribed Antidepressants in the Dissemination of Antibiotic Resistance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising B1 Metallo-ß-Lactamases (MBLs)
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gary Schenk
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of innate immune antimicrobial zinc toxicity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Sweet
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of interactions between uropathogenic Escherichia coli and the innate immune system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Sweet
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Application of whole genome sequencing to characterise clinically significant multidrug resistant bacteria
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Scott Beatson
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Bacterial ketol-acid reductoisomerase: structure, catalytic mechanism and thermal stability
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bostjan Kobe, Professor Luke Guddat
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Preventing canine urinary tract infection (UTI) using an asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) Escherichia coli strain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Mills
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the host and bacterial factors in cystic fibrosis that promote persistence of infection in the lung.
Associate Advisor
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Structural and functional studies of TcpB, a protein involved in Brucella pathogenesis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Sweet, Professor Bostjan Kobe
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Structural & Functional Characterization of Bacterial TRX-fold proteins
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emerita Professor Jenny Martin
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Identification and characterization of anti-microbial pathways in human macrophages
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kate Stacey, Professor Matt Sweet
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISATION OF THE MULTICOPPER OXIDASE FROM Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium
Associate Advisor
Media
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