Dr. Michael Johnson

Biography

Dr. Michael Johnson has an extensive background in cell biology applied to diverse fields including parasitology, microbiology, microbial ecology, cyanobacteriology, and mammalian cell biology. He has a proven track record in the isolation and culture of cyanobacteria with unique photosystems, particularly focusing on the Acaryochloris genus of cyanobacteria, which are capable of growing using near infrared (NIR) wavelengths in the absence of other light, providing insight into the evolution of photosynthesis. His deep understanding of cyanobacteria enables nuanced utilization of visible and NIR light in niche environments to produce unique metabolic components. In addition to his interests in environmental microbiology, he is focused on medical diagnostics of important pathogens, specifically the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, which is closely related to malaria parasites. He has developed diagnostic approaches using recombinant antigens and strain-specific peptides of the parasite and possesses experience in quantifying parasite transmission in wildlife and livestock, employing genotyping methods relevant to the Australian context. Dr. Johnson is particularly interested in applying his knowledge of diverse cell types to fluorescence-based analysis methods including volume imaging, Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), hyperspectral confocal imaging, and flow cytometry methods.

Research Interests