Professor Ulrike Kappler
Professor

Ulrike Kappler

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52978

Background

Associate Professor Kappler (ORCiD: 0000-0002-2642-1319) is Group Leader in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at UQ, and Chair of the Metals in Biology group. She held an ARC Australian Fellowship (2008-12) and has proven expertise in managing research projects funded by ARC & NHMRC project grants (>$2.5 million) as well as funding from other agencies. A/Prof. Kappler has > 20 years experience in bacterial physiology and the investigation of enzyme function and metabolic pathways in a wide variety of bacteria, with a particular focus on bacterial sulfur metabolism. Over the past ~10 years she has developed an extensive program of research on the physiology and pathogenesis of the human respiratory pathogen Haemophilus influenzae. Her laboratory is investigating the role of H. influenzae metabolism for host-pathogen interactions, as well as molecular defences against antimicrobials produced by the human immune system (publications: Front. Microbiol., 2015, 2016, 2021, Res. Microbiol. 2018, Adv. Microb. Physiol. 2019, 2xACS Infect. Dis. 2020) Her research has contributed to the development of a novel model of H. influenzae infection that is based on primary human nasal cells differentiated at Air-Liquid Interface.

A/ Prof. Kappler is regularly invited to present her work at international conferences (GRCs, MoTec, EMBO Microbial Sulfur Metabolism, Biometals), and has extensive expertise in the successful supervision of research students and has graduated 10 PhD, 24 Masters and 28 Honors students. She has been the Chair of the UQ Institutional Biosafety Subcommittee (2018-2021), and is the current Chair of the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Queensland branch committee and a member of the ASM national council.

Availability

Professor Ulrike Kappler is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Microbiology

Qualifications

  • Masters (Research) of Biology, University of Bonn
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Microbiology, University of Bonn
  • Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, The University of Queensland
  • Member, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (US), American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (US)
  • Member, American Society for Microbiology, American Society for Microbiology
  • Fellow, Australian Society for Microbiology, Australian Society for Microbiology
  • Journal Editorial Board Member, Frontiers in Microbiology, Metabolism and Physiology, Frontiers in Microbiology, Metabolism and Physiology

Research interests

  • Resistance of bacterial pathogens to reactive chlorine and sulfur compounds

    Haemophilus influenzae is completely adapted too the human respiratory tract which is its only known niche. This bacterium is able to withstand high concentrations of antimicrobial compounds generated by the innate immune system, such as hypochlorite (bleach) and its derivative, N-Chlorotaurine. The mechanisms of this resistance are currently not well documented and H. influenzae genomes do not encode known regulators of responses to hypochlorite stress. This project aims to understand the type of cellular damage caused by reactive chlorine species but also naturally occurring antimicrobial sulfur compounds such as allicin, and to identify proteins and enzymes that are required for H. influenzae survival in the presence of these antimicrobial reagents. A further target is the pathway of signal transduction and the nature of the molecular signal that activates the Cl- and C- stress protective responses in H. influenzae First results indicate the involvement of a number of periplasmic enzymes with links to the H. influenzae respiratory chain as key elements in resistance to reactive chlorine species, and we recently identified a novel type of hypochlorite responsive regulator.

  • You are what you eat - the function of metabolic specialization colonization of host organisms

    Being able to acquire nutrients and generate energy are essential processes for bacterial pathogens during infection. However, in many cases, including Haemophilus influenzae, the exact types of nutrients that are accessed by the bacteria during infection and more particularly, how access to specific carbon sources can affect infection duration and the ability of bacteria to colonize a host organism is not well understood. We have shown that the H. influenzae nutrient profile shows specific adaptations to the human respiratory tract, and will now investigate how the different classes of preferred nutrients affect virulence. The final aim of this work is to understand the H.influenzae metabolic network, and identify enzymes and substrates that are essential for infections in humans.

  • Metalloenzymes and bacterial pathogenesis

    Metalloenzymes are involved in key energy-generating processes in living cells, and they contribute significantly to the adaptation of microorganisms to different environmental conditions. This project investigates how respiratory enzymes can aid pathogens in colonizing specific niches in the host and how these enzymes might be exploited as future drug targets.

  • Bacterial sulfur compound oxidation

    Energy generation from inorganic compounds, including inorganic forms of sulfur, is one of the special properties of certain bacteria. This process contributes significantly to the biogeochemical sulfur cycle, to the bioavailability of sulfur for plant growth in soils and to the detoxification of various volatile sulfur compounds, some of which are known to be climate active. We are interesting in investigating the metabolic pathways and enzymes involved in these processes, as well as their regulation in response to changing environmental conditions

  • Sulfite oxidizing enzymes - what makes them indispensable for living cells?

    Sulfite oxidizing enzymes are found in almost all types of living cells, and especially bacteria are known to harbour a great variety of these enzymes. However, it is unknown what the metabolic role of sulfite oxidation is. We are investigating the diversity of these enzymes, the reactions catalyzed by the three structurally distinct known types of these enzymes with a view to uncovering the role of these evolutionarily old enzymes for cellular function.

Search Professor Ulrike Kappler’s works on UQ eSpace

119 works between 1998 and 2024
All (119) Journal Article (92) Book Chapter (7) Conference Publication (20)

61 - 80 of 119 works

2012

Journal Article

Complete genome sequence of the facultatively chemolithoautotrophic and methylotrophic alpha Proteobacterium Starkeya novella type strain (ATCC 8093(T))

Kappler, Ulrike, Davenport, Karen, Beatson, Scott, Lucas, Susan, Lapidus, Alla, Copeland, Alex, Berry, Kerrie W., Del Rio, Tijana Glavina, Hammon, Nancy, Dalin, Eileen, Tice, Hope, Pitluck, Sam, Richardson, Paul, Bruce, David, Goodwin, Lynne A., Han, Cliff, Tapia, Roxanne, Detter, John C., Chang, Yun-juan, Jeffries, Cynthia D., Land, Miriam, Hauser, Loren, Kyrpides, Nikos C., Goeker, Markus, Ivanova, Natalia, Klenk, Hans-Peter and Woyke, Tanja (2012). Complete genome sequence of the facultatively chemolithoautotrophic and methylotrophic alpha Proteobacterium Starkeya novella type strain (ATCC 8093(T)). Standards in Genomic Sciences, 7 (1), 44-58. doi: 10.4056/sigs.3006378

Complete genome sequence of the facultatively chemolithoautotrophic and methylotrophic alpha Proteobacterium Starkeya novella type strain (ATCC 8093(T))

2011

Journal Article

Insights into structure and function of the active site of SoxAX cytochromes

Kilmartin, James R., Maher, Megan J., Krusong, Kuakarun, Noble, Christopher J., Hanson, Graeme R., Bernhardt, Paul V., Riley, Mark J. and Kappler, Ulrike (2011). Insights into structure and function of the active site of SoxAX cytochromes. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 286 (28), 24872-24881. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.212183

Insights into structure and function of the active site of SoxAX cytochromes

2011

Journal Article

How are "atypical" sulfite deydrogenases linked to cell metabolism? Interactions between the SorT sulfite dehydrogenase and small redox proteins

Low, Louie, Kilmartin, James Ryan, Bernhardt, Paul V. and Kappler, Ulrike (2011). How are "atypical" sulfite deydrogenases linked to cell metabolism? Interactions between the SorT sulfite dehydrogenase and small redox proteins. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2 (MAR), 58-1-58-10. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2011.00058

How are "atypical" sulfite deydrogenases linked to cell metabolism? Interactions between the SorT sulfite dehydrogenase and small redox proteins

2011

Journal Article

Short circuiting a sulfite oxidising enzyme with direct electrochemistry: Active site substitutions and their effect on catalysis and electron transfer

Rapson, TD, Kappler, U, Hanson, GR and Bernhardt, PV (2011). Short circuiting a sulfite oxidising enzyme with direct electrochemistry: Active site substitutions and their effect on catalysis and electron transfer. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-bioenergetics, 1807 (1), 108-118. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2010.09.005

Short circuiting a sulfite oxidising enzyme with direct electrochemistry: Active site substitutions and their effect on catalysis and electron transfer

2011

Conference Publication

Is anaerobic respiration central to the ability of Haemophilus influenzae to colonize the human host?

Othman, Dk Seti Maimonah Pg, McEwan, Alastair G. and Kappler, Ulrike (2011). Is anaerobic respiration central to the ability of Haemophilus influenzae to colonize the human host?. BacPath 11: Molecular Analysis of Bacterial Pathogens, Wyong, New South Wales, 25 - 28 September 2011.

Is anaerobic respiration central to the ability of Haemophilus influenzae to colonize the human host?

2011

Conference Publication

A novel role for ECF-type sigma factors - Regulation of bacterial sulfite oxidation

Kappler, Ulrike, Tan, Chelsea, Ganskow, Stefanie and Broadbent, Sarah (2011). A novel role for ECF-type sigma factors - Regulation of bacterial sulfite oxidation. ASM 2011 Hobart: Microbiology on the Edge, Hobart, Australia, 4-8 July 2011. South Melbourne, Vic., Australia: The Australian Society for Microbiology.

A novel role for ECF-type sigma factors - Regulation of bacterial sulfite oxidation

2011

Journal Article

Bacterial sulfite-oxidizing enzymes

Kappler, Ulrike (2011). Bacterial sulfite-oxidizing enzymes. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Bioenergetics, 1807 (1), 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2010.09.004

Bacterial sulfite-oxidizing enzymes

2011

Conference Publication

Regulation of bacterial sulfite oxidation

Kappler, Ulrike (2011). Regulation of bacterial sulfite oxidation. 2011 Molybdenum and Tungsten Enzymes Conference, Alberta, Canada, 3 - 6 August 2011.

Regulation of bacterial sulfite oxidation

2010

Journal Article

Highly Sensitive and Stable Electrochemical Sulfite Biosensor Incorporating a Bacterial Sulfite Dehydrogenase

Kalimuthu, Palraj, Tkac, Jan, Kappler, Ulrike, Davis, Jason J. and Bernhardt, Paul V, (2010). Highly Sensitive and Stable Electrochemical Sulfite Biosensor Incorporating a Bacterial Sulfite Dehydrogenase. Analytical Chemistry, 82 (17), 7374-7379. doi: 10.1021/ac101493y

Highly Sensitive and Stable Electrochemical Sulfite Biosensor Incorporating a Bacterial Sulfite Dehydrogenase

2010

Journal Article

Pulsed EPR investigations of the Mo(V) centers of the R55Q and R55M variants of sulfite dehydrogenase from Starkeya novella

Rapson, Trevor D., Astashkin, Andrei V., Johnson-Winters, Kayunta, Bernhardt, Paul V., Kappler, Ulrike, Raitsimring, Arnold M. and Enemark, John H. (2010). Pulsed EPR investigations of the Mo(V) centers of the R55Q and R55M variants of sulfite dehydrogenase from Starkeya novella. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 15 (4), 505-514. doi: 10.1007/s00775-009-0619-0

Pulsed EPR investigations of the Mo(V) centers of the R55Q and R55M variants of sulfite dehydrogenase from Starkeya novella

2010

Conference Publication

Metalloproteins and their role in sulfur oxidation processes

Bernhardt, P. V., Hanson, G. R., Kappler, Ulrike, Kilmartin, J. R., Low, L., Maher, M.M, Rapson, T.D. and Riley, M.J. (2010). Metalloproteins and their role in sulfur oxidation processes. Boden Research Conference 2010, Canberra, Australia, 28 November – 1 December 2010. ACT, Australia: Australian Academy of Science.

Metalloproteins and their role in sulfur oxidation processes

2009

Journal Article

Probing the archaeal diversity of a mixed thermophilic bioleaching culture by TGGE and FISH

Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Kappler, Ulrike, McEwan, Alastair G. and Sly, Lindsay I. (2009). Probing the archaeal diversity of a mixed thermophilic bioleaching culture by TGGE and FISH. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 32 (7), 501-513. doi: 10.1016/j.syapm.2009.06.001

Probing the archaeal diversity of a mixed thermophilic bioleaching culture by TGGE and FISH

2009

Journal Article

Sulfite oxidation in Sinorhizobium meliloti

Wilson, Jeremy and Kappler, Ulrike (2009). Sulfite oxidation in Sinorhizobium meliloti. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1787 (12), 1516-1525. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2009.07.005

Sulfite oxidation in Sinorhizobium meliloti

2009

Journal Article

Exchangeable oxygens in the vicinity of the molybdenum center of the high-pH form of sulfite oxidase and sulfite dehydrogenase

Astashkin, Andrei V., Klein, Eric L., Ganyushin, Dmitry, Johnson-Winters, Kayunta, Neese, Frank, Kappler, Ulrike and Enemark, John H. (2009). Exchangeable oxygens in the vicinity of the molybdenum center of the high-pH form of sulfite oxidase and sulfite dehydrogenase. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 11 (31), 6733-6742. doi: 10.1039/b907029j

Exchangeable oxygens in the vicinity of the molybdenum center of the high-pH form of sulfite oxidase and sulfite dehydrogenase

2009

Journal Article

Intramolecular electron transfer in sulfite-oxidizing enzymes: Elucidating the role of a conserved active site arginine

Emesh, Safia, Rapson, Trevor D., Rajapakshe, Asha, Kappler, Ulrike, Bernhardt, Paul V., Tollin, Gordon and Enemark, John H. (2009). Intramolecular electron transfer in sulfite-oxidizing enzymes: Elucidating the role of a conserved active site arginine. Biochemistry, 48 (10), 2156-2163. doi: 10.1021/bi801553q

Intramolecular electron transfer in sulfite-oxidizing enzymes: Elucidating the role of a conserved active site arginine

2009

Journal Article

Molecular basis for enzymatic sulfite oxidation: How three conserved active site residues shape enzyme activity

Bailey, Susan, Rapson, Trevor, Johnson-Winters, Kayunta, Atashkin, Andrei V., Enemark, John H. and Kappler, Ulrike (2009). Molecular basis for enzymatic sulfite oxidation: How three conserved active site residues shape enzyme activity. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 284 (4), 2053-2063. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M807718200

Molecular basis for enzymatic sulfite oxidation: How three conserved active site residues shape enzyme activity

2008

Journal Article

SoxAX cytochromes, a new type of heme copper protein involved in bacterial energy generation from sulfur compounds

Kappler, U., Bernhardt, P.V., Kilmartin, J., Riley, M.J., Teschner, J., McKenzie, K.J. and Hanson, G.R. (2008). SoxAX cytochromes, a new type of heme copper protein involved in bacterial energy generation from sulfur compounds. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 283 (32), 22206-22214. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M800315200

SoxAX cytochromes, a new type of heme copper protein involved in bacterial energy generation from sulfur compounds

2008

Journal Article

Direct catalytic electrochemistry of sulfite dehydrogenase: Mechanistic insights and contrasts with related Mo enzymes

Rapson, Trevor D., Kappler, Ulrike and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2008). Direct catalytic electrochemistry of sulfite dehydrogenase: Mechanistic insights and contrasts with related Mo enzymes. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-bioenergetics, 1777 (10), 1319-1325. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2008.06.005

Direct catalytic electrochemistry of sulfite dehydrogenase: Mechanistic insights and contrasts with related Mo enzymes

2008

Conference Publication

Spectroscopic Studies of SoxAX Reveal Insights into the Catalytic Mechanism of SoxAX

Kappler, U., Kilmartin, J., Riley, M., Noble, C. J. and Hanson, G. R. (2008). Spectroscopic Studies of SoxAX Reveal Insights into the Catalytic Mechanism of SoxAX. 6th Asia Pacific EPR/ESR Society Symposium, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 13-18 July 2008.

Spectroscopic Studies of SoxAX Reveal Insights into the Catalytic Mechanism of SoxAX

2008

Conference Publication

Bacterial sulfite-oxidizing enzymes - insights into the molecular and structural basis of enzymatic sulfite oxidation

Bailey, S. and Kappler, U. (2008). Bacterial sulfite-oxidizing enzymes - insights into the molecular and structural basis of enzymatic sulfite oxidation. VAAM (German Microbiology Society) Meeting, Frankfurt, Germany, Spring, 2008.

Bacterial sulfite-oxidizing enzymes - insights into the molecular and structural basis of enzymatic sulfite oxidation

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    How does metabolic conditioning of the host environment enhance persistence of Haemophilus influenzae infections?
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019
    A versatile accurate mass, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer for chemistry and proteomic applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Extracellular stress defence mechanisms in non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Epifluorescent and live-cell imaging microscopes for the investigation of host-pathogen interactions and for molecular and cellular biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry (CGMS) - Achieving excellence in isotope geochemistry and geochronology
    UQ Research Facilities Infrastructure Grants
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Instrumentation for the analysis of cellular and metabolic phenotypes
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Next-generation multi-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) with laser-ablation capability for in situ high-throughput and high resolution isotope dating and characterizat
    UQ Major Research Facility Fund
    Open grant
  • 2016
    The Australian human microbiota project-microbe isolation facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Immune recognition of upper airway microbiota in early life as a determinant of respiratory health in children
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014
    A confocal microscope for investigation of live bacterial and viral pathogens and for molecular cell biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    Metabolism-driven interactions of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae and its host: a critical factor in infection?
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Multi angle light scattering detector for the measurement of absolute molecular weight, size, and conformation of macromolecules in solution
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    ResTeach 2011 0.2 FTE School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Remediating sulfur pollution in urban environments using extremophilic bacteria from soda lakes
    Lindbergh Foundation (Charles A & Anne Morrow)
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Infrastructure for biochemistry and infectious disease resarch in molecualr biosciences
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Biomoledular interactions - enhancement and upgrade of existing facilities
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    Sulfur cycling in soil environments how bacteria contribute to the oxidation of organic and inorganic sulfur compounds
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005
    NHMRC_Equipment Grant = Molecular Bacteriology Growth and Storage Facilities
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Proteomics And Functional Aspects Of Sulfite-Oxidizing Molybdoenzymes
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Diversity and applications of bacterial sulfite-oxidizing enzymes
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Ulrike Kappler is:
Available for supervision

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

Available projects

  • Bacterial resistance to reactive chlorine and sulfur species

    This project will investigate the effects of hypochlorite, N-Chlorotaurine and hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN) on the virulence of bacterial pathogens. It will include investiagtions of mechanisms of signal transduction, as well as identification of enzymes essential for stress resistance.

    Several projects are possible in this area.

  • One man's waste - another man's treasure? Metabolites are signalling molecules during host-pathogen interactions

    This project will investigate the production of small molecules that can alter innate immune responses and gene expression patterns in host cells ('immunometabolites') by bacterial pathogens as a way to increase their survival during infection.

  • other projects...

    are always available along the lines of the major research topics in my group. please enquire by e-mail if there is anything that you are interested in.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Electrochemical investigations of bacterial molybdenum enzymes

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Paul Bernhardt

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Purine and pyromodine metabolism as potential drug targets in Haemophilus influenzae

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The role of metabolic adaptation for virulence and persistence of Haemophilus influenzae in the host

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Avril Robertson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Targeting the Biogenesis of Resistance Enzymes to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Mark Blaskovich, Professor Ian Henderson, Dr Anthony Verderosa

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Ulrike Kappler directly for media enquiries about:

  • bacterial enzymes
  • bacterial metabolism
  • infectious diseases
  • meatls in cells
  • metalloenzymes
  • microbiology
  • stress responses
  • sulfur metabolism

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