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)
• 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 (3107)
• Ecology (3103)
• Genetics (3105)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Marine systems and management (1805)
• Expanding knowledge (2801)

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

• Arjunwadkar C, Tebbett S, Bellwood D, Bourne D and Smith H (2022) Algal turf structure and composition vary with particulate loads on coral reefs. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 181.
• Kuek F, Motti C, Zhang J, Cooke I, Todd J, Miller D, Bourne D and Raina J (2022) DMSP production by coral-associated bacteria. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9.
• Li J, Zou Y, Yang J, Li Q, Bourne D, Sweet M, Liu C, Guo A and Zhang S (2022) Cultured Bacteria Provide Insight into the Functional Potential of the Coral-Associated Microbiome. mSystems, 7 (4).
• Marzonie M, Bay L, Bourne D, Hoey A, Matthews S, Nielsen J and Harrison H (2022) The effects of marine heatwaves on acute heat tolerance in corals. Global Change Biology, 29 (2). pp. 404-416
• McLeod I, Hein M, Babcock R, Bay L, Bourne D, Cook N, Doropoulos C, Gibbs M, Harrison P, Lockie S, van Oppen M, Mattocks N, Page C, Randall C, Smith A, Smith H, Suggett D, Taylor B, Vella K, Wachenfeld D and Boström-Einarsson L (2022) Coral restoration and adaptation in Australia: The first five years. PLoS ONE, 17 (11).
• Smith H, Prenzlau T, Whitman T, Fulton S, Borghi S, Logan M, Heron S and Bourne D (2022) Macroalgal canopies provide corals limited protection from bleaching and impede post-bleaching recovery. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 553.
• Smith H, Boström-Einarsson L and Bourne D (2022) A stratified transect approach captures reef complexity with canopy-forming organisms. Coral Reefs, 41. pp. 897-905
• Smith H, Brown D, Arjunwadkar C, Fulton S, Whitman T, Hermanto B, Mastroianni E, Mattocks N, Smith A, Harrison P, Boström-Einarsson L, McLeod I and Bourne D (2022) Removal of macroalgae from degraded reefs enhances coral recruitment. Restoration Ecology, 30 (7).
• Thatcher C, Hoj L and Bourne D (2022) Probiotics for coral aquaculture: challenges and considerations. Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 73. pp. 380-386
• Thobor B, Tilstra A, Bourne D, Springer K, Mezger S, Struck U, Bockelmann F, Zimmermann L, Yánez Suárez A, Klinke A and Wild C (2022) The pulsating soft coral Xenia umbellata shows high resistance to warming when nitrate concentrations are low. Scientific Reports, 12 (1).
• Wada N, Hsu M, Tandon K, Hsiao S, Chen H, Chen Y, Chiang P, Yu S, Lu C, Chiou Y, Tu Y, Tian X, Chen B, Lee D, Yamashiro H, Bourne D and Tang S (2022) High-resolution spatial and genomic characterization of coral-associated microbial aggregates in the coral Stylophora pistillata. Science Advances, 8 (27).

Book Chapters

• Bourne D, Smith H and Page C (2022) Diseases of scleractinian corals. In: Invertebrate Pathology. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, pp. 77-108

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 179+ research outputs authored by 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

• Characterising and Monitoring Great Barrier Reef Microbial Communities in a Changing Climate (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Probiotics for the early life stages of coral in captivity: consortia design and fate (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
• Coral and Microbial Interactions during Progression of Black Band Disease (BBD) (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Genome wide Assessments of Heat Tolerance in Corals (PhD , Advisor Mentor)
• Understand the role of the sulphur metabolic cycle in juvenile coral skeleton growth to enhance captive coral aquaculture (Masters , Secondary Advisor/AM)
• Effects of Reef Restoration Techniques (Macroalgal Removal combined with Larval Capture and Release) on the Genetic Diversity and Connectivity in Scleratinian Populations of Magnetic Island, Australia (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Determining the role of microorganisms in acclimatisation and adaption of reef species to future climate scenarios. (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
• Bioengineering for enhanced coral production (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
• Investigating common phenotypic physiological signatures of thermal tolerance and thermal plasticity for corals in the GBR. (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)

Completed

• Dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) metabolism within the coral holobiont (2021, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Characterizing the bacterial community associated with the model alcyoniid Lobophytum pauciflorum (2021, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Mitigating the impact of the Acropora-eating flatworm, Prosthiostomum acroporae on captive Acropora coral colonies (2020, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Microbial indicators for environmental stress and ecosystem health assessments (2020, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• The role of nutrients in coral bleaching (2022, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Effects of macroalgal removal on inshore coral reef communities and sedimentation dynamics (2022, Masters , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Augmented coral health: linking heterotrophic diets to the acquisition of probiotics in symbiotic scleractinia (2022, Masters , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Host-microbe symbiosis and coevolution in coral reef invertebrates (2022, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Exploring the role of microbes in coral-algal interactions on the inshore Great Barrier Reef (2020, Masters , Primary Advisor)

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit Research Data Australia.

• Barton, J. (2020) Efficacy of chemical treatments for Acropora-eating flatworm infestations. James Cook University
• Barton, J. (2020) Data from: Biological controls to manage Acropora-eating flatworms in coral aquaculture. James Cook University

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.