Associate Professor Scott Beatson
Associate Professor

Scott Beatson

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54863

Background

Scott Beatson is an Associate Professor and NHMRC Career Development Fellow at The University of Queensland (UQ). He specializes in bacterial pathogenomics: using whole-genome sequencing to investigate transmission, pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Recent work from his group includes genomic analyses of pandrug resistant enterobacteriaceae and the multidrug resistant Escherichia coli ST131 pandemic clone. He was awarded a PhD from UQ for his work in bacterial pathogenesis in 2002 and developed his career in bacterial genomics in the United Kingdom with the support of fellowships from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 (University of Oxford) and the UK Medical Research Council (University of Birmingham). Since returning to Australia he has held fellowships from both the NHMRC and ARC and has led a successful research group in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at UQ since 2008. He is also a member of the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and the Australian Centre for Ecogenomics. In 2016 he received the Frank Fenner Award from the Australian Society for Microbiology in recognition of his contribution to microbiology research in Australia.

Availability

Associate Professor Scott Beatson is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Bacteriology Biological Sciences Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Epigenetics (incl. genome methylation and epigenomics) Genetics Genomics Infectious agents Medical microbiology Microbial genetics Microbiology Molecular evolution Phylogeny and comparative analysis

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Otago
  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, University of Otago
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, The University of Manchester

Research impacts

In the past five years the Beatson Lab has focussed on clinically relevant pathogens and exploiting genomic technologies in the clinical setting. His group regularly reports the genome analyses of antibiotic resistant bacteria to the major tertiary hospitals in Brisbane as part of Queensland Genomics. He is the senior author of a phylogenomic study of E. coli ST131 in PNAS (2014; 312 citations), and joint first author of a landmark publication on the E. coli O157 genome (2006; 413 citations). Genome analysis software developed in his group is widely used i.e. BRIG (2011; 1026 citations) and EasyFig (2011; 756 citations). Since 1998 he has co-authored more than 120 journal articles (9756 citations), including 61 in the past 5 years and 43 with greater than 50 citations (Google Scholar 22/08/19). He regularly publishes in high-impact, general interest or specialist medical/microbiology journals including Science, PNAS, Clin Infect Dis, Nat Commun and MBio.

Search Professor Scott Beatson’s works on UQ eSpace

195 works between 1998 and 2025
All (195) Journal Article (170) Conference Publication (12) Other Outputs (13)

181 - 195 of 195 works

2004

Journal Article

FpvB, an alternative type I ferripyoverdine receptor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Ghysels, Bart, Dieu, Bui Thi Min, Beatson, Scott A., Pirnay, Jean-Paul, Ochsner, Urs A., Vasil, Michael L. and Cornelis, Pierre (2004). FpvB, an alternative type I ferripyoverdine receptor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiology, 150 (6), 1671-1680. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.27035-0

FpvB, an alternative type I ferripyoverdine receptor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2004

Journal Article

Genome Sequence of the Brown Norway Rat Yields Insights Into Mammalian Evolution

Gibbs, R. A., Weinstock, G. M., Metzker, M. L., Muzny, D. M., Sodergren, E. J., Scherer, S., Scott, G., Steffen, D., Worley, K. C., Burch, P. E., Okwuonu, G., Hines, S., Lewis, L., DeRamo, C., Delgado, O., Dugan-Rocha, S., Miner, G., Morgan, M., Hawes, A., Gill, R., Holt, R. A., Adams, M. D., Amanatides, P. G., Baden-Tillson, H., Barnstead, M., Chin, S., Evans, C. A., Ferriera, S., Fosler, C. ... et al (2004). Genome Sequence of the Brown Norway Rat Yields Insights Into Mammalian Evolution. Nature, 428 (6982), 493-521. doi: 10.1038/nature02426

Genome Sequence of the Brown Norway Rat Yields Insights Into Mammalian Evolution

2004

Journal Article

Evolution and comparative genomics of odorant-and pheromone-associated genes in rodents

Emes, Richard D., Beatson, Scott A., Ponting, Chris P. and Goodstadt, Leo (2004). Evolution and comparative genomics of odorant-and pheromone-associated genes in rodents. Genome Research, 14 (4), 591-602. doi: 10.1101/gr.1940604

Evolution and comparative genomics of odorant-and pheromone-associated genes in rodents

2004

Journal Article

Characterization of a complex chemosensory signal transduction system which controls twitching motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Whitchurch, Cynthia B., Leech, Andrew J., Young, Michael D., Kennedy, Derek, Sargent,Jennifer L., Bertrand, Jacob J., Semmler, Annalese B.T., Mellick, Albert S., Martin, Paul R., Alm, Richard A., Hobbs, Matthew, Beatson, Scott A., Huang, Bixing, Nguyen, Lam, Commolli, James C., Engel, Joanne N., Darzins, Aldis and Mattick, John S. (2004). Characterization of a complex chemosensory signal transduction system which controls twitching motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Molecular Microbiology, 52 (3), 873-893. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2004.04026.x

Characterization of a complex chemosensory signal transduction system which controls twitching motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2003

Journal Article

Proteome analysis of extracellular proteins regulated by the las and rhl quorum sensing systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

Nouwens, Amanda S., Beatson, Scott A., Whitchurch, Cynthia B., Walsh, Bradley. J., Schweizer, Herbert P., Mattick, John S. and Cordwell, Stuart J. (2003). Proteome analysis of extracellular proteins regulated by the las and rhl quorum sensing systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Microbiology-sgm, 149 (5), 1311-1322. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.25967-0

Proteome analysis of extracellular proteins regulated by the las and rhl quorum sensing systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

2003

Journal Article

Identification of type II and type III pyoverdine receptors from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

de Chial, Magaly, Ghysels, Bart, Beatson, Scott A., Geoffroy, Valérie, Meyer, Jean Marie, Pattery, Theresa, Baysse, Christine, Chablain, Patrice, Parsons, Yasmin N., Winstanley, Craig, Cordwell, Stuart J. and Cornelis, Pierre (2003). Identification of type II and type III pyoverdine receptors from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiology, 149 (4), 821-831. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.26136-0

Identification of type II and type III pyoverdine receptors from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2003

Conference Publication

Pseudomonas aeruginosa exposed to sub-inhibitory ceftazidime or tobramycin has reduced homoserine lactones

Garske, L., Bell, S. C., Beatson, S., Walsh, S., Mattick, J., Leach, A. and Whitchurch, C. (2003). Pseudomonas aeruginosa exposed to sub-inhibitory ceftazidime or tobramycin has reduced homoserine lactones. The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand 2003 Annual Scientific Meeting, Adelaide, Australia, 4 - 9 April 2003. Carlton, VIC: Blackwell Science. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2003.supp_1.x

Pseudomonas aeruginosa exposed to sub-inhibitory ceftazidime or tobramycin has reduced homoserine lactones

2002

Journal Article

Differential regulation of twitching motility and elastase production by Vfr in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Beatson, Scott A., Whitchurch, Cynthia B., Sargent, Jennifer L., Levesque, Roger C. and Mattick, John S. (2002). Differential regulation of twitching motility and elastase production by Vfr in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Journal of Bacteriology, 184 (13), 3605-3613. doi: 10.1128/JB.184.13.3605-3613.2002

Differential regulation of twitching motility and elastase production by Vfr in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2002

Journal Article

Cadherin-like domains in alpha-dystroglycan, alpha/epsilon-sarcoglycan and yeast and bacterial proteins

Dickens, Nicholas J., Beatson, Scott and Ponting, Chris P. (2002). Cadherin-like domains in alpha-dystroglycan, alpha/epsilon-sarcoglycan and yeast and bacterial proteins. Current Biology, 12 (6), R197-R199. doi: 10.1016/S0960-9822(02)00748-0

Cadherin-like domains in alpha-dystroglycan, alpha/epsilon-sarcoglycan and yeast and bacterial proteins

2002

Journal Article

Quorum sensing is not required for twitching motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Beatson, S. A., Whitchurch, C. B., Semmler, A. B. T. and Mattick, J. S. (2002). Quorum sensing is not required for twitching motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Journal of Bacteriology, 184 (13), 3598-3604. doi: 10.1128/JB.184.13.3598-3604.2002

Quorum sensing is not required for twitching motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2002

Other Outputs

Pseudomonas aeruginosa genomics and pathogenesis

Beatson, Scott (2002). Pseudomonas aeruginosa genomics and pathogenesis. PhD Thesis, School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/275870

Pseudomonas aeruginosa genomics and pathogenesis

2000

Journal Article

A minimal tiling path cosmid library for functional analysis of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 genome

Huang, Bixing, Whitchurch, Cynthia B., Croft, Larry, Beatson, Scott A. and Mattick, John S. (2000). A minimal tiling path cosmid library for functional analysis of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 genome. Microbial and Comparative Genomics, 5 (4), 189-203. doi: 10.1089/omi.1.2000.5.189

A minimal tiling path cosmid library for functional analysis of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 genome

2000

Journal Article

An interactive web-based Pseudomonas aeruginosa genome database: discovery of new genes, pathways and structures

Croft, L., Beatson, S. A., Whitchurch, C. B., Huang, B., Blakeley, R. L. and Mattick, J. S. (2000). An interactive web-based Pseudomonas aeruginosa genome database: discovery of new genes, pathways and structures. Microbiology, 146 (10), 2351-2364. doi: 10.1099/00221287-146-10-2351

An interactive web-based Pseudomonas aeruginosa genome database: discovery of new genes, pathways and structures

1999

Conference Publication

One approach to developing a bacterial genome database

Croft, L., Beatson, S. A., Whitchurch, C. B., Blakeley, R. L., Huang, B. and Mattick, J. S. (1999). One approach to developing a bacterial genome database. ComBio 99, Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast, 27-30 September, 1999. Kent Town, SA: Aust. Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.

One approach to developing a bacterial genome database

1998

Journal Article

Zoocin A immunity factor: A femA-like gene found in a group C Streptococcus

Beatson, S. A., Sloan, G. L. and Simmonds, R. S. (1998). Zoocin A immunity factor: A femA-like gene found in a group C Streptococcus. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 163 (1), 73-77. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1998.tb13028.x

Zoocin A immunity factor: A femA-like gene found in a group C Streptococcus

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Australian Pathogen Genomics (AusPathoGen) Program (MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission, Flagships administered by University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Rapid detection of resistance genes from Gram-negative bacteria isolated from blood in ICU-admitted patients
    Pathology Queensland - Study, Education & Research Trust Fund
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Virulence and detection of Escherichia coli that cause neonatal meningitis
    The Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    Cluster randomised trial of a multimodal intervention to reduce antimicrobial use in residential aged care facilities
    NHMRC MRFF - Antimicrobial Resistance Targeted Call for Research
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    Integrated bacterial genomics and virulence analysis of uropathogenic Streptococcus agalactiae (NHMRC Project Grant led by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Epigenetic regulation in bacteria
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Instrumentation for the analysis of cellular and metabolic phenotypes
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Bacterial Pathogenomics: whole-genome sequencing to investigate infection transmission, pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance
    NHMRC Career Development Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    Superbugs and veterinary drugs: Are multidrug-resistant zoonotic pathogens residing in Australian animals? (ARC Linkage Project administered by University of Adelaide)
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    A pan-genome reverse vaccinology approach to disease prevention in farmed fish
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    Functional and genomic analysis of the globally disseminated multidrug resistant Escherichia coli ST131 clone
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Smarter fermentations through starter culture genomics
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Evolution and pathogenicity of NDM-1 positive Escherichia coli
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    ResTeach Funding 2012 0.2 FTE School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Cell culture facilities for studying host-pathogen interactions and immune function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Escherichia coli ST131: an emerging pathogen
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Adhesins of uropathogenic Escherichia coli.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Genomics as a tool to study P aeruginosa lung disease in cystic fibrosis
    Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Evolution and function of a novel lateral flagellar locus, Flag-2, in pathogenic Escherichia coli (NHMRC Project grant administered by the University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Infrastructure for biochemistry and infectious disease resarch in molecualr biosciences
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Molecular basis of asymptomatic colonization of the human urinary tract
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    ResTeach 2009 0.2 FTE School of Chemical and Molecular Biosciences
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    The evolution of bacterial pathogenesis: a genomic approach
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Understanding staphylococcal urinary tract infections: a comparative genomics approach
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    The complete genome sequence of asymptomatic bacteriuria 'Escherichia coli' strain VR50
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    NHMRC Howard Florey Fellowship: Bacterial Pathogenesis: A Genomic Approach
    NHMRC Career Development Award
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Scott Beatson is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Preliminary study to develop workflows for use of low-cost state of the art technology and big data to diagnose bacterial fish diseases in resource limited settings using Streptococcosis as a model

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Oleksandra Rudenko, Professor Andrew Barnes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Using low-cost state of the art technology and big data to help smallholder fish farmers to diagnose and control disease

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Oleksandra Rudenko, Professor Andrew Barnes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Preliminary study to develop workflows for use of low-cost state of the art technology and big data to diagnose bacterial fish diseases in resource limited settings using Streptococcosis as a model

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Oleksandra Rudenko, Professor Andrew Barnes

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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