About
Cameron Currie is a microbiologist and evolutionary biologist who helps lead the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Antimicrobial Discovery funded by an NIH Center of Excellence in Translational Research (CETR,U19) award.
Currie and his lab members study the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of symbiotic associations, with a particular focus on the interactions that occur between insects and microbes and the role of beneficial microbes in mediating infectious diseases through the production of antimicrobials. His research, including extensive work with the charismatic leaf-cutter ants, has potential applications in fields as diverse as bioenergy development and drug discovery.
Awards
- Ira L. Baldwin Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015
- Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology, 2008
- Presidential Early Career Award for Science and Engineering (PECASE), 2008
- NSF CAREER Award, 2008
- NSERC Doctoral Prize, 2001
Relevant Publications
- Li, H., Sun, C. Y., Fang, Y., Carlson, C. M., Xu, H., Ješovnik, A., ... & Currie, C. R. (2020). Biomineral armor in leaf-cutter ants. Nature communications, 11(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19566-3
- Chevrette, M. G., Carlson, C. M., Ortega, H. E., Thomas, C., Ananiev, G. E., Barns, K. J., ... & Currie, C. R. (2019). The antimicrobial potential of Streptomyces from insect microbiomes. Nature communications, 10(1), 1-11. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-08438-0
- Currie, C. R., Scott, J. A., Summerbell, R. C., & Malloch, D. (1999). Fungus-growing ants use antibiotic-producing bacteria to control garden parasites. Nature, 398(6729), 701-704. DOI10.1038/19519
Support Us
CIFAR is a registered charitable organization supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta and Quebec, as well as foundations, individuals, corporations and Canadian and international partner organizations.