David Bourne has a joint position as a Senior Lecturer at James Cook University in Townsville and Principal Research Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). His training is in the area of molecular microbial ecology with his research focused on investigation of microbial diversity, structure and function in complex ecosystems.He obtained his PhD in 1997 with the research thesis focused on investigating the pathways of bacterial mediated bio-degradation of freshwater cyanobacterial toxins. Postdoctoral positions at the University of Warwick in the UK and the University of Bergen in Norway saw him apply his microbial ecology skills to both terrestrial and marine environments. His research in the UK was focused on understanding terrestrial methanotroph populations while the position in Bergen investigated microbial processes and trophic food webs in marine systems. As a research scientist and senior microbiologist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) his scientific interests and research areas included many aspects of marine science and microbiology including marine microbes for drug discovery and the microbial dynamics in aquaculture (Rock Lobster) larval rearing systems.

Over the last 15 years his research has focused on understanding microbial interactions with corals. This work is divided essentially into two areas, the first investigating the normal microbial communities associated with corals and their functional roles in maintaining coral fitness. The second research focus is to elucidate pathogens and mechanism of disease onset in corals and the implications this has on a stressed reef ecosystem in light of climate change being a major driver of coral reef degradation.

In February 2016, Bourne commenced a Lecturer position at James Cook University, which allows him to maintain a highly dynamic and active research group. This position is joint with AIMS allowing him to continue to mentor a group which includes a number of students and postdoctoral employees all focused on coral microbial interactions and pushing this field ahead with innovative and challenging research projects.

Teaching

• BC3101: Genes, Genomes and Development (Level 3; TSV)
• BC5101: Advanced Genes, Genomes and Development (Level 5; TSV)
• BS2470: Evolution (Level 2; TSV)
• BS5470: Evolution (Level 5; TSV)
• MB2080: Invertebrate Biology (Level 2; TSV)
• MB3210: Life History and Evolution of Reef Corals (Level 3; TSV)
• MB5380: Invertebrate Biology (Level 5; TSV)
• MB5400: Life History and Evolution of Reef Corals (Level 5; TSV)

Interests

Research

• Microbial symbioses underpinning coral fitness
• Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of coral disease
• Genomics based approaches to understanding the coral holobiont
• Response of the coral holobiont to environmental stressors

Experience

• 2016 to present - Senior Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2002 to present - Principal Research Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science (Townsville)
• 1999 to 2001 - Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Bergen (Norway)
• 1997 to 1999 - Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Warwick (United Kingdom)

Research Disciplines

• Microbiology (0605)
• Ecology (0602)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Environment (9699)
• Climate and Climate Change (9603)

Other

• 2015 - Editor for AXIOS
• 2013 - Editorial team of Environmental Microbiology
• 2012 - Editorial team ISME J

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Aguilar C, Raina J, Fôret S, Hayward D, Lapeyre B, Bourne D and Miller D (2019) Transcriptomic analysis reveals protein homeostasis breakdown in the coral Acropora millepora during hypo-saline stress. BMC Genomics, 20.
• Glasl B, Smith C, Bourne D and Webster N (2019) Disentangling the effect of host-genotype and environment on the microbiome of the coral Acropora tenuis. PeerJ, 7.
• O'Brien P, Webster N, Miller D and Bourne D (2019) Host-microbe coevolution: applying evidence from model systems to complex marine invertebrate holobionts. mBio, 10 (1).
• West A, Waite D, Deines P, Bourne D, Digby A, McKenzie V and Taylor M (2019) The microbiome in threatened species conservation. Biological Conservation, 229. pp. 85-98
• Ceccarelli D, Loffler Z, Bourne D, Al Moajil-Cole G, Boström Einarsson L, Evans-Illidge E, Fabricius K, Glasl B, Marshall P, McLeod I, Read M, Schaffelke B, Smith A, Jorda G, Williamson D and Bay L (2018) Rehabilitation of coral reefs through removal of macroalgae: state of knowledge and considerations for management and implementation. Restoration Ecology, 26 (5). pp. 827-838
• Glasl B, Smith C, Bourne D and Webster N (2018) Exploring the diversity-stability paradigm using sponge microbial communities. Scientific Reports, 8.
• Hoj L, Levy N, Baillie B, Clode P, Strohmaier R, Siboni N, Webster N, Uthicke S and Bourne D (2018) Crown-of-thorns sea star Acanthaster cf. solaris has tissue-characteristic microbiomes with potential roles in health and reproduction. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 84 (13).
• Liu H, Stephens T, González-Pech R, Beltran V, Lapeyre B, Bongaerts P, Cooke I, Aranda M, Bourne D, Forêt S, Miller D, van Oppen M, Voolstra C, Ragan M and Chan C (2018) Symbiodinium genomes reveal adaptive evolution of functions related to coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis. Communications Biology, 1.
• Mera H and Bourne D (2018) Disentangling causation: complex roles of coral-associated microorganisms in disease. Environmental Microbiology, 20 (2). pp. 431-449
• O'Brien P, Smith H, Fallon S, Fabricius K, Willis B, Morrow K and Bourne D (2018) Elevated CO₂ has little influence on the bacterial communities associated with the pH-tolerant coral, massive Porites spp. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9. pp. 1-12
• O'Brien P, Smith H, Fallon S, Fabricius K, Willis B, Morrow K and Bourne D (2018) Elevated CO2 has little influence on the bacterial communities associated with the pH-tolerant coral, massive Porites spp. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9.
• Pollock F, McMinds R, Smith S, Bourne D, Willis B, Medina M, Thurber R and Zaneveld J (2018) Coral-associated bacteria demonstrate phylosymbiosis and cophylogeny. Nature Communications, 9. pp. 1-13

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 127+ research outputs authored by A/Prof David Bourne from 1996 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Determining the role of microorganisms in acclimatisation and adaption of reef species to future climate scenarios. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Microbial Indicators for Water Quality and Environmental Stress Assessment of Coral Reef Ecosystems. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• The impact of nutrient availability on coral thermal tolerance (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Macroalgae Regime Shift of the Great Barrier Reef: Ecological and Microbial Coral-algal Interactions (Masters , Primary Advisor)
• Mitigating the effects of Acropora-eating flatworms on captive Acropora colonies (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Host-microbial coevolution in marine invertebrates (PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Augmented coral health - Linking coral physiology, energetics and microbial factors to enhance coral resilience. (Masters , Primary Advisor/AM)
• Coral Mediation of Associated Microbial Community (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.