Actinobacteria is an ancient phylum of Gram-positive bacteria with a characteristic high GC content to their DNA. The ActinoBase Wiki is focused on the filamentous actinobacteria, such as Streptomyces species, and the techniques and growth conditions used to study them. These organisms are studied because of their complex developmental life cycles and diverse specialised metabolism which produces many of the antibiotics currently used in the clinic. ActinoBase is a community effort that provides valuable and freely accessible resources, including protocols and practical information about filamentous actinobacteria. It is aimed at enabling knowledge exchange between members of the international research community working with these fascinating bacteria. ActinoBase is an anchor platform that underpins worldwide efforts to understand the ecology, biology and metabolic potential of these organisms. There are two key differences that set ActinoBase apart from other Wiki-based platforms: [] ActinoBase is specifically aimed at researchers working on filamentous actinobacteria and is tailored to help users overcome challenges working with these bacteria and [] it provides a freely accessible resource with global networking opportunities for researchers with a broad range of experience in this field.

The purpose of this research is to further develop existing technology using engineered functional amyloid proteins for corrosion resistance by developing a coating which provides both adhesion to substrate and corrosion resistance. Pathogenic amyloid proteins have been attributed a role in certain diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease. However, the research undertaken here involves non-pathogenic functional bacterial amyloids, using coelicolor hydrophobic aerial proteins (chaplins or Chp) produced by Streptomyces for improving corrosion resistance. Chaplins have been proven conceptually to provide corrosion resistance properties on metals and, also provide strong adhesive properties in a multi-composite systems. The composition, application and curing of the better bonding chaplin composite will now be optimised for development of a better performing functional coating, which includes inclusion of small metabolites or natural products acting as corrosion inhibitors. This would then allow for benchmarking against existing corrosion-resistant coatings. Upon determining the most relevant formulae, samples will be analysed by using microscopic techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy, while corrosion will be tested using immersion tests, weathering via salt-spray and in-situ scanning vibrating electrode.

Streptomyces bacteria are highly versatile micro-organisms, which have been recognised as potent biochemical, soil and biomaterials engineers. In particular, functional non-pathogenic amyloid proteins can be formed from the expression of β-sheet proteins. These β-sheet proteins known as chaplins, which aggregate to form a fibrillar morphology, has been shown to protect against desiccation in hydrophobic environments. These robust Chaplin proteins have served here as a source of inspiration for materials development, based on the chaplins' ability to modulate the properties of its own surface and that of its natural environment.This study has developed more economical and environmentally friendlier methods for chaplin protein production by replacing the existing TES buffer for a potassium bicarbonate buffer and by modifying the downstream processing to assist in the removal of trifluoroacetic acid. Combinations of different media and buffers were tested for alternative fermentations that support Streptomyces morphological differentiation in liquid media, in which a potassium bicarbonate buffer system proved as efficient as well as more economical when compared to conventional fermentations with expensive organic buffer systems that support differentiation. Downstream processing of amyloid proteins was furthermore improved by adopting synthetic peptide procedures resulting in an environmentally friendlier amyloid purification method. This modified medium was also demonstrated within a bioreactor at 1.7 L scale which further enhances the economic benefit which could be implemented for production of other secondary metabolites.The resulting chaplin proteins were then applied with β-glucans to form a biocomposite for different industrial applications. Material properties and anti-corrosion were determined by goniometry and high-resolution imaging, and by qualitative and quantitative electrochemistry. Our protein-based corrosion resistant nano-coating has great potential for the manufacturing, defence and other industries, including healthcare and biomaterials manufacturing. This journey has been a mixed bag of emotions and I could not have reached this point without the love and support of my family and friends. Severina Peneva for supporting me every step of the way, dealing with my stressful moments and enabling my love for gin and board games, Michael Allan for tolerating my antics throughout lockdown (still haven't forgiven you for the guitar playing at 6am) and Kulwinder Chima for being the guy that has always had my back when times were tough even from 500 miles away.A special acknowledgement to the 5 th floor lab members in the institute of life sciences building who, from day 1, made me feel at home after relocating to Swansea. Be it the early days of JC's in a suit to terrible karaoke on Wind street. Lydia (not Linda), thank you for everything you have done to make me feel welcome in the group and for the opportunity to rack tips/chit chat/walks on the Gower.Finally, I would like to dedicate this work, and th...