Associate Professor Paul Dennis
Associate Professor

Paul Dennis

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32575

Background

Paul Dennis leads an exciting research group that applies cutting-edge technologies to understand the roles of microorganisms and their responses to environmental change.

He is also a passionate educator and public speaker who advocates for the importance of biological diversity and evidence-based environmental awareness. He has talked about his research on ABC Radio and a range of other media outlets.

His teaching covers aspects of ecology, microbiology, plant and soil science, and climatology. He considers these topics to be of fundamental importance for the development of more sustainable societies and takes pride in helping others to obtain the knowledge and skills they need to build a better future.

Paul's research has taken him to Antarctica, the Amazon Rainforest, high mountains and oceans. The approaches used in his lab draw on a wide range of expertise in molecular biology, ecology, statistics, computer science, advanced imaging and soil science. He applies these skills to a wide-range of topics and systems including plant-microbe interactions, Antarctic marine and terrestrial ecology, biogeography, pollution and human health.

Availability

Associate Professor Paul Dennis is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Agriculture, land and farm management Bacteriology Bioavailability and ecotoxicology Biodiscovery Biogeography and phylogeography Bioinformatics and computational biology Biological Sciences Biological control Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Bioremediation Biosecurity science and invasive species ecology Carbon sequestration science Climate change impacts and adaptation Climate change impacts and adaptation not elsewhere classified Community ecology (excl. invasive species ecology) Conservation and biodiversity Ecological applications Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation Ecology Ecosystem function Ecosystem services (incl. pollination) Engineering Environmental Sciences Environmental assessment and monitoring Environmental biogeochemistry Environmental biotechnology Environmental education and extension Environmental engineering Environmental management Environmental management Environmental nanotechnology and nanometrology Environmental rehabilitation and restoration Genetics Genomics Global change biology Human impacts of climate change and human adaptation Immunology Industrial biotechnology Land capability and soil productivity Medical biochemistry and metabolomics Medical biotechnology Medical microbiology Microbial ecology Microbial genetics Microbiology Mycology Nanotoxicology, health and safety Natural resource management Other biological sciences Other environmental sciences Plant biology Pollution and contamination Soil biology Soil chemistry and soil carbon sequestration (excl. carbon sequestration science) Soil sciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Wales
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University College London

Search Professor Paul Dennis’s works on UQ eSpace

128 works between 2003 and 2024
All (128) Journal Article (105) Book Chapter (8) Conference Publication (14) Other Outputs (1)

81 - 100 of 128 works

2015

Journal Article

Linking jasmonic acid signaling, root exudates, and rhizosphere microbiomes

Carvalhais, Lilia C., Dennis, Paul G., Badri, Dayakar V., Kidd, Brendan N., Vivanco, Jorge M. and Schenk, Peer M. (2015). Linking jasmonic acid signaling, root exudates, and rhizosphere microbiomes. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, 28 (9), 1049-1058. doi: 10.1094/MPMI-01-15-0016-R

Linking jasmonic acid signaling, root exudates, and rhizosphere microbiomes

2015

Journal Article

The core root microbiome of sugarcanes cultivated under varying nitrogen fertiliser application.

Yeoh, Yun Kit, Paungfoo-Lonhienne, Chanyarat, Dennis, Paul G., Robinson, Nicole, Ragan, Mark A., Schmidt, Susanne and Hugenholtz, Philip (2015). The core root microbiome of sugarcanes cultivated under varying nitrogen fertiliser application.. Environmental Microbiology, 18 (5), 1338-1351. doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.12925

The core root microbiome of sugarcanes cultivated under varying nitrogen fertiliser application.

2015

Journal Article

Development of bioelectrocatalytic activity stimulates mixed-culture reduction of glycerol in a bioelectrochemical system

Zhou, Mi, Freguia, Stefano, Dennis, Paul G., Keller, Jürg and Korneel Rabaey (2015). Development of bioelectrocatalytic activity stimulates mixed-culture reduction of glycerol in a bioelectrochemical system. Microbial Biotechnology, 8 (3), 483-489. doi: 10.1111/1751-7915.12240

Development of bioelectrocatalytic activity stimulates mixed-culture reduction of glycerol in a bioelectrochemical system

2015

Journal Article

Responses to increases in temperature of heterotrophic micro-organisms in soils from the maritime Antarctic

Laudicina, Vito Armando, Benhua, Sun, Dennis, Paul G, Badalucco, Luigi, Rushton, Steven P, Newsham, Kevin K, O'Donnell, Anthony G, Hartley, Iain P and Hopkins, David W (2015). Responses to increases in temperature of heterotrophic micro-organisms in soils from the maritime Antarctic. Polar Biology, 38 (8), 1153-1160. doi: 10.1007/s00300-015-1673-4

Responses to increases in temperature of heterotrophic micro-organisms in soils from the maritime Antarctic

2015

Journal Article

Habitat-specific environmental conditions primarily control the microbiomes of the coral Seriatopora hystrix

Pantos, Olga, Bongaerts, Pim, Dennis, Paul G., Tyson, Gene W. and Hoegh-Guldberg, OVe (2015). Habitat-specific environmental conditions primarily control the microbiomes of the coral Seriatopora hystrix. The ISME Journal, 9 (9), 1916-1927. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2015.3

Habitat-specific environmental conditions primarily control the microbiomes of the coral Seriatopora hystrix

2014

Journal Article

Plant defence inducers rapidly influence the diversity of bacterial communities in a potting mix

Carvalhais, Lilia C., Dennis, Paul G. and Schenk, Peer M. (2014). Plant defence inducers rapidly influence the diversity of bacterial communities in a potting mix. Applied Soil Ecology, 84, 1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2014.06.011

Plant defence inducers rapidly influence the diversity of bacterial communities in a potting mix

2014

Journal Article

Biogeochemical responses to nutrient, moisture and temperature manipulations of soil from Signy Island, South Orkney Islands in the Maritime Antarctic

Sun, Benhua, Dennis, P. G., Laudicina, V. A., Ord, V. J., Rushton, S. P., O'Donnell, A. G., Newsham, K. K. and Hopkins, D. W. (2014). Biogeochemical responses to nutrient, moisture and temperature manipulations of soil from Signy Island, South Orkney Islands in the Maritime Antarctic. Antarctic Science, 26 (5), 513-520. doi: 10.1017/S0954102014000030

Biogeochemical responses to nutrient, moisture and temperature manipulations of soil from Signy Island, South Orkney Islands in the Maritime Antarctic

2014

Journal Article

GroopM: an automated tool for the recovery of population genomes from related metagenomes

Imelfort, Michael, Parks, Donovan, Woodcroft, Ben J., Dennis, Paul, Hugenholtz, Philip and Tyson, Gene W. (2014). GroopM: an automated tool for the recovery of population genomes from related metagenomes. PeerJ, 2014 (1) e603, 1-16. doi: 10.7717/peerj.603

GroopM: an automated tool for the recovery of population genomes from related metagenomes

2014

Journal Article

Deterministic processes guide long-term synchronised population dynamics in replicate anaerobic digesters

Vanwonterghem, Inka, Jensen, Paul D., Dennis, Paul G., Hugenholtz, Philip, Rabaey, Korneel and Tyson, Gene W. (2014). Deterministic processes guide long-term synchronised population dynamics in replicate anaerobic digesters. ISME Journal, Advance Online (10), 1-14. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2014.50

Deterministic processes guide long-term synchronised population dynamics in replicate anaerobic digesters

2014

Journal Article

An expanded genomic representation of the phylum Cyanobacteria

Soo, Rochelle M., Skennerton, Connor T., Sekiguchi, Yuji, Imelfort, Michael, Paech, Samuel J., Dennis, Paul G., Steen, Jason A., Parks, Donovan H., Tyson, Gene W. and Hugenholtz, Philip (2014). An expanded genomic representation of the phylum Cyanobacteria. Genome Biology and Evolution, Advance Access (5), 1-42. doi: 10.1093/gbe/evu073

An expanded genomic representation of the phylum Cyanobacteria

2014

Journal Article

CopyRighter: a rapid tool for improving the accuracy of microbial community profiles through lineage-specific gene copy number correction

Angly, Florent E., Dennis, Paul G., Skarshewski, Adam, Vanwonterghem, Inka, Hugenholtz, Philip and Tyson, Gene W. (2014). CopyRighter: a rapid tool for improving the accuracy of microbial community profiles through lineage-specific gene copy number correction. Microbiome, 2 (11) 11, 11. doi: 10.1186/2049-2618-2-11

CopyRighter: a rapid tool for improving the accuracy of microbial community profiles through lineage-specific gene copy number correction

2014

Journal Article

Microbial ecology and biogeochemistry of continental Antarctic soils

Cowan, Don A., Makhalanyane, Thulani P., Dennis, Paul G. and Hopkins, David W. (2014). Microbial ecology and biogeochemistry of continental Antarctic soils. Frontiers in Microbiology, 5 (APR) 154, 154. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00154

Microbial ecology and biogeochemistry of continental Antarctic soils

2014

Journal Article

Microbial properties and nitrogen contents of arable soils under different tillage regimes

Sun, B., Roberts, D. M., Dennis, P. G., Caul, S., Daniell, T. J., Hallett, P. D. and Hopkins, D. W. (2014). Microbial properties and nitrogen contents of arable soils under different tillage regimes. Soil Use and Management, 30 (1), 152-159. doi: 10.1111/sum.12089

Microbial properties and nitrogen contents of arable soils under different tillage regimes

2013

Journal Article

Drivers of microbial community composition in mesophilic and thermophilic temperature-phased anaerobic digestion pre-treatment reactors

Pervin, Hasina M., Dennis, Paul G., Lim, Hui J., Tyson, Gene W., Batstone, Damien J. and Bond, Philip L. (2013). Drivers of microbial community composition in mesophilic and thermophilic temperature-phased anaerobic digestion pre-treatment reactors. Water Research, 47 (19), 7098-7108. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.07.053

Drivers of microbial community composition in mesophilic and thermophilic temperature-phased anaerobic digestion pre-treatment reactors

2013

Journal Article

Erratum to Root exudation of sugars, amino acids, and organic acids by maize as affected by nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and iron deficiency [J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci 174 (2011) 311]

Carvalhais, Lilia C., Dennis, Paul G., Fedoseyenko, Dmitri, Hajirezaei, Mohammad-Reza, Borriss, Rainer and von Wirén, Nicolaus (2013). Erratum to Root exudation of sugars, amino acids, and organic acids by maize as affected by nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and iron deficiency [J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci 174 (2011) 311]. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 176 (4), 641-641. doi: 10.1002/jpln.201390025

Erratum to Root exudation of sugars, amino acids, and organic acids by maize as affected by nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and iron deficiency [J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci 174 (2011) 311]

2013

Journal Article

Effects of surface charge and hydrophobicity on anodic biofilm formation, community composition, and current generation in bioelectrochemical systems

Guo, Kun, Freguia, Stefano, Dennis, Paul G., Chen, Xin, Donose, Bogdan C., Keller, Jurg, Gooding, J. Justin and Rabaey, Korneel (2013). Effects of surface charge and hydrophobicity on anodic biofilm formation, community composition, and current generation in bioelectrochemical systems. Environmental Science and Technology, 47 (13), 7563-7570. doi: 10.1021/es400901u

Effects of surface charge and hydrophobicity on anodic biofilm formation, community composition, and current generation in bioelectrochemical systems

2013

Journal Article

Linking plant nutritional status to plant-microbe interactions

Carvalhais, Lilia C., Dennis, Paul G., Fan, Ben, Fedoseyenko, Dmitri, Kierul, Kinga, Becker, Anke, von Wiren, Nicolaus and Borriss, Rainer (2013). Linking plant nutritional status to plant-microbe interactions. PLoS One, 8 (7) e68555, e68555.1-e68555.13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068555

Linking plant nutritional status to plant-microbe interactions

2013

Journal Article

Coral reef invertebrate microbiomes correlate with the presence of photosymbionts

Bourne, David G., Dennis, Paul G., Uthicke, Sven, Soo, Rochelle M., Tyson, Gene W. and Webster, Nicole (2013). Coral reef invertebrate microbiomes correlate with the presence of photosymbionts. Isme Journal, 7 (7), 1452-1458. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2012.172

Coral reef invertebrate microbiomes correlate with the presence of photosymbionts

2013

Journal Article

Dynamics of cathode-associated microbial communities and metabolite profiles in a glycerol-fed bioelectrochemical system

Dennis, Paul G., Harnisch, Falk, Yeoh, Yun Kit, Tyson, Gene W. and Rabaey, Korneel (2013). Dynamics of cathode-associated microbial communities and metabolite profiles in a glycerol-fed bioelectrochemical system. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 79 (13), 4008-4014. doi: 10.1128/AEM.00569-13

Dynamics of cathode-associated microbial communities and metabolite profiles in a glycerol-fed bioelectrochemical system

2013

Journal Article

Coral reef invertebrate microbiomes correlate with the presence of photosymbionts

Bourne, David G, Dennis, Paul G., Uthicke, Sven, Soo, Rochelle M., Tyson, Gene W. and Webster, Nicole (2013). Coral reef invertebrate microbiomes correlate with the presence of photosymbionts. Isme Journal, 7 (7), 1459-1459. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2013.71

Coral reef invertebrate microbiomes correlate with the presence of photosymbionts

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Controlling the lifetime of biodegradable polymers in natural environments
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Perinatal microbe-host interactions regulate neonatal dendritic cell development (NHMRC Ideas Grant led by QIMR)
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    An integrated management response to the spread of fusarium wilt of banana in southeast Asia (ACIAR grant administered by QDAF)
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    Sulphur speciation in rainforest, grassland, sugarcane, and banana soils from the Wet Tropics
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Rain Ready Rangelands Research Agreement 1
    Northern Territory of Australia
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Rain Ready Rangelands Research Agreement 2
    Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Rain Ready Rangelands Research Agreement 3
    Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Rain Ready Rangelands Research Agreement 4
    Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Filling gaps in our TR4 Biosecurity knowledge
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Bioplastics in the environment: lifetimes and toxicology
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Integrated management of Fusarium wilt of bananas in the Philippines and Australia (ACIAR grant administered by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries)
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Understanding the influence of maternal diet on the neonatal gut microbiome and susceptibility to respiratory disease in early life (NHMRC Project Grant led by QIMR Berghofer)
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    BA14014 Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 Research Program
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    BA14013 Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 - biosecurity and sustainable solutions
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Transformation and stability of environmentally relevant forms of silver nanoparticles in soil over time when applied with biosolids
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Scoping herbicide impacts on banana production and soil health
    Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Characterisation of soil microorganisms that minimise agricultural impacts on the Great Barrier Reef
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Characterisation of the Koala gut microbiome for Australian biofuel precursor production
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Anaerobic workstations for experimental and pure culture research.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Paul Dennis is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Microbial diversity along a pH gradient

    Soil microorganisms play critical roles in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. In this project, we will characterise the diversity of soil bacteria, archaea, fungi and other microeukarya along a pH gradient from Rothamsted, UK. Soil pH strongly influences microbial diversity. The relationship between diversity and other attributes of community structure, however, are poorly understood. In this project we will investigate the effect of species loss on community structure. This work has ramifications for conservation of terrestrial biodiversity.

  • The language of attraction: How do plants attract microbial symbionts?

    Plants release up to 50% of photosynthetically derived carbon from their roots as a complex mixture of organic compounds known as root exudates. These compounds fuel diverse root-associated microbial communities that consist of plant growth-promoting species as well as those that cause disease or compete with plants for resources. By changing the mixture of exudates released from their roots, plants are thought to exert some level of control over the selection of their microbial symbionts.

    Current evidence indicates that most root-associated microorganisms are chemotactic, i.e. they have the ability to sense substrates released by roots and direct movement towards them. This ability enables them to respond rapidly to resources as they become available and out-compete neighboring populations. At present there is no information regarding the selectivity of different exudate components for specific groups of chemotactic organisms. Here, we will use a novel chemotaxis assay in combination with high-throughput sequencing and flow cytometry to identify and enumerate microorganisms that respond to different root exudate components. This information will identify exudates that are strongly associated with the recruitment of beneficial and/or deleterious organisms and should facilitate the development of crops that select for beneficial root-microbial communities.

  • The influence of nutrient deficiencies on root exudation

    Plants exude a complex mixture of organic compounds from their roots, which alter the availability of plant nutrients and fuel diverse microbial communities that influence plant health and nutrition. Nutrient deficiencies affect large areas of agricultural land. Nutrient deficiencies are known to strongly influence root exudation but these effects are poorly understood. Changes in root exudation could reduce crop yields by negatively affecting plant nutrient uptake and plant-microbe interactions. For this reason, better understanding of the effects of nutrient deficiencies on root exudation is needed to predict future food security. In this project, plants will be grown under differ nutrient deficiencies and root exudates will be collected and analyses using advanced chromatography and mass spectrometry methods.

  • Isolation of plant stress tolerance enhancing microbes

    Nutrient deficiencies and drought are major agricultural constraints. Fertilisers and irrigation help to alleviate these issues, but rely on non-renewable resources and contribute to environmental degradation. By 2050 there will be nine billion people on Earth, which places food security at the top of society’s challenges for the 21st century1. Soils harbour a wide variety of microbial taxa that significantly enhance plant nutrient acquisition and drought tolerance. These organisms could be used to more sustainably maintain, or enhance, global food security. In this project, microbes will be isolated from the roots of stressed plants and then screened for attributes that promote plant fitness under drought and nutrient stress.

  • Microbial diversity along a 750 km drought gradient

    Soil microorganisms play critical roles in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. In this project, we will characterise the diversity of soil bacteria, archaea, fungi and other microeukarya along a 750 km moisture gradient in South Australia. The incidence of drought is predicted to increase with climate change so better understanding of how drought influences microbially mediated ecosystems processes is key to our ability to maintain food security in the future.

  • Banana microbiome

    Banana’s are one of Queensland’s main agricultural products. Microorganisms influence the health and nutrition of banana’s but the identities of microbes that live in association with banana’s are largely unknown. In his project we will apply high throughput sequencing technologies to characterise the banana microbiome and its role in plant growth promotion and disease prevention.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Costs and benefits of plant-microbe symbioses

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt, Professor Mark Turner

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Which attributes of microbiomes facilitate engineering of ecosystem goods and services?

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tim McLaren

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Microbial diversity and function along a pH gradient

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Kopittke, Dr Jiarui Sun

  • Doctor Philosophy

    International core microbiome of Musa spp.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jiarui Sun

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Impact of land management on the ecology of soilborne plant diseases

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jiarui Sun

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Assigning function to the core bacterial microbial of Musa spp.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt, Dr Jiarui Sun

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Biocrust microorganisms and their function in Australian savanna grazing lands

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt, Dr Jiarui Sun

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Minimising the impacts of land use on microbially mediated soil ecosystem services

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr John Dwyer, Dr Jiarui Sun, Dr Tim McLaren

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Effects of fire and grazing management on the diversity and potential function of biocrust microbiomes

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt, Dr Jiarui Sun

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Biocrust microorganisms and their function in Australian savanna grazing lands

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt, Dr Jiarui Sun

  • Doctor Philosophy

    RNA-based control of Phytophthora root rot

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Impact of land management on the ecology of soilborne plant diseases

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jiarui Sun

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Enhancing restoration success in a global biodiversity hotspot by improving site capture

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Aitken, Dr John Dwyer

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Tailoring the infant gut microbiota to enhance neonatal immune development

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Mark Morrison

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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