User:Wade Abbott

Wade Abbott received his PhD under Juan Ausió at the University of Victoria (Canada) where he investigated the role of histone variants in the modulation of nucleosome structure. His work contributed to our understanding of how changes to nucleosome composition by exchange of histone variants introduce tailored changes in nucleosome stability and chromatin fiber folding. Following his doctorate degree, he joined Dr. ^^^Alisdair Boraston^^^’s group (University of Victoria) for his first postdoc where he investigated protein-carbohydrate interactions and carbohydrate utilization by invasive bacterial pathogens. His research focused on the utilization of dietary complex carbohydrates (pectin) and host glycans in bacterial nutrition and dissemination. Following this, Dr. Abbott is relocated at the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center and worked under Prof. ^^^Harry Gilbert^^^ where their research centered on the modification and deconstruction of complex carbohydrates within the colon of animals during digestion. This process is intimately associated with the actions of resident microbes, such as Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, microorganisms that contain an impressive arsenal of enzymes dedicated to carbohydrate metabolism. Currently, Dr. Abbott has returned to the University of Victoria where he is involved with a research team under direction of Dr. ^^^Alisdair Boraston^^^ (University of Victoria). They are exploring the potential to harness carbohydrates from seaweed feedstocks and exploit them in bioproduct and bioenergy applications.