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)
• Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity (9608)
• 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

• 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).
• Mera H and Bourne D (2018) Disentangling causation: complex roles of coral-associated microorganisms in disease. Environmental Microbiology, 20 (2). pp. 431-449
• Sato Y, Bell S, Nichols C, Fry K, Menéndez P and Bourne D (2018) Early-phase dynamics in coral recovery following cyclone disturbance on the inshore Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Coral Reefs, 37 (2). pp. 431-443
• van de Water J, Chaib de Mares M, Dixon G, Raina J, Willis B, Bourne D and van Oppen M (2018) Antimicrobial and stress responses to increased temperature and bacterial pathogen challenge in the holobiont of a reef-building coral. Molecular Ecology, 27 (4). pp. 1065-1080
• Aguilar C, Raina J, Motti C, Foret S, Hayward D, Lapeyre B, Bourne D and Miller D (2017) Transcriptomic analysis of the response of Acropora millepora to hypo-osmotic stress provides insights into DMSP biosynthesis by corals. BMC Genomics, 18.
• Chen C, Bourne D, Drovandi C, Mengersen K, Willis B, Caley M and Sato Y (2017) Modelling environmental drivers of black band disease outbreaks in populations of foliose corals in the genus Montipora. PeerJ, 5.
• Glasl B, Bourne D, Frade P and Webster N (2017) Establishing microbial baselines to identify indicators of coral reef health. Microbiology Australia, 39 (1). pp. 42-46
• Glasl B, Webster N and Bourne D (2017) Microbial indicators as a diagnostic tool for assessing water quality and climate stress in coral reef ecosystems. Marine Biology, 164.
• Lamb J, van de Water J, Bourne D, Altier C, Hein M, Fiorenza E, Abu N, Jompa J and Harvell C (2017) Seagrass ecosystems reduce exposure to bacterial pathogens of humans, fishes, and invertebrates. Science, 355 (6326). pp. 731-733
• Marcelino V, Morrow K, van Oppen M, Bourne D and Verbruggen H (2017) Diversity and stability of coral endolithic microbial communities at a naturally high p CO2 reef. Molecular Ecology, 26 (19). pp. 5344-5357

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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 117+ 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

• 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)
• Coral Mediation of Associated Microbial Community (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Macroalgae Regime Shift of the Great Barrier Reef: Ecological and Microbial Coral-algal Interactions (Masters , Primary Advisor)
• Determining the role of microorganisms in acclimatisation and adaption of reef species to future climate scenarios. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Host-microbial coevolution in marine invertebrates (PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Mitigating the effects of Acroporo-eoting flatworms on captive Acropora colonies (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.