Iain Duggin

Iain Duggin is an Associate Professor and Deputy Director at the Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection (AIMI) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He previously led the Microbial Morphology and Development research theme and held roles including ARC Future Fellow (2017–2021) and Research Fellow (2011–present). Prior to UTS, he was a Research Associate at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Cambridge, UK) and completed postdoctoral work at the University of Sydney and the MRC Cancer Cell Unit/Oxford University.

Education:

• PhD in Molecular Biology, University of Sydney (2002)
• Postdoctoral Research, University of Sydney (2002–2004)
• MRC Career Development Fellowship, MRC Cancer Cell Unit (Cambridge) and Sir William Dunn School of Pathology (Oxford), UK (2005–2009)

Research Interests: His work focuses on microbial morphogenesis and cell division across archaea and bacteria, particularly in Haloferax volcanii and uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). He investigates cytoskeletal proteins like CetZ and FtsZ, their roles in cell shape and division, and applications in addressing antimicrobial resistance and climate change. Additional areas include UTI pathogenesis, vaccine design, and comparative evolutionary studies of microbial systems.

Articles Trends: Recent publications (2021–2025) emphasize archaeal cell biology (e.g., CetZ1 dynamics in morphogenesis), bacterial pathogenesis (UTI mechanisms, host cell interactions), and applied microbiology (biofilm models, diagnostics via machine learning). His research blends fundamental discoveries with translational solutions for human health and environmental challenges.

Scientific Awards:

• ARC Future Fellowship (2017–2020)
• MRC Career Development Fellowship (2005–2009)
• Finalist, UTS Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Leadership (2020)

Advising & Grants: Leads undergraduate microbiology teaching (e.g., General Microbiology course director) and actively mentors students in research design. Secured grants from ARC, NSW Health, and the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), including projects on UTI diagnostics, archaeal genetic systems, and X-ray facility development for protein crystallography. Collaborates with industry partners on biotechnology and therapeutic applications.

Labs & Teams: Directs the Duggin Lab at AIMI, which develops model systems for archaeal and bacterial cell biology. Collaborates internationally on studies of cytoskeletal proteins and UTI pathogenesis, leveraging advanced techniques like live-cell microscopy and genetic engineering.