Tracing the emergence of cellular complexity in the phylum Planctomycetota (2025-2028)

Some bacteria display structural features that are considered characteristic of eukaryotic cells. This project aims to establish the evolutionary origin of eukaryotic-like features within the bacterial phylum Planctomycetota, a broadly distributed bacterial lineage important to global carbon and nitrogen cycles. The project is designed to generate new understanding of the evolution of cellular complexity using the phylum as a model. In addition, the program aims to provide a comprehensive characterisation of the Planctomycetota, which has recently expanded from three of 28 classes due to recovery of genomes from the environment. Outcomes include broad interest publications, genomic resources and cultured isolates to benefit future research.