Biology subjects

McKnight, L.

Publications and source records attributed to McKnight, L..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

10 recommendations for strengthening citizen science for improved societal and ecological outcomes: A co-produced analysis of challenges and opportunities in the 21st century

Citizen science plays an increasingly important role in generating scientific knowledge and supporting environmental and social action. However, its potential to address complex global challenges remains underutilised. This study explores how to improve citizen science by involving the public in all stages of scientific research. Using participatory research methods, we conducted online surveys and group discussions with researchers, citizen scientists, and Indigenous people. Thematic coding was used to identify key challenges, opportunities, and best practices to enhance citizen science initiatives. Additionally, nine case studies were reported using the Standardised Data on Initiatives (STARDIT) reporting tool. The study identifies key strategies for enhancing participant engagement and retention in citizen science initiatives. Findings underscore the importance of inclusive, evidence-informed approaches such as targeted outreach, fair compensation, tailored support, and co-creation practices. Ensuring data quality and fostering trust require adherence to FAIR data principles, transparent validation and sharing processes, and the establishment of ethical research partnerships. Persistent challenges include short-term funding, which undermines long-term project sustainability, and the lack of centralized support for ethics and project management. Formal recognition of citizen scientists through co-authorship, standardized training, and professional development opportunities can further strengthen involvement and build capacity. Finally, emerging technologies--including AI and open data platforms--present opportunities to scale and improve efficiency, provided they are implemented with appropriate ethical safeguards and investment. Drawing together these insights, we provide 10 actionable recommendations for citizen science in the 21st century. These highlight the importance of embedding citizen science in national research infrastructure, education, and policy, alongside consistent evaluation and reporting, to improve its inclusivity, longevity, and impact. We conclude by arguing that as the world confronts climate change, public health crises, and biodiversity loss, broader public involvement in science is key for equitable, efficient and evidence-informed responses.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2024

GpsB is an accessory Z-ring anchor

Bacterial cytokinesis is a well-coordinated process in which multiple proteins, collectively called the divisome, are recruited to the site of division. A key member of the divisome is FtsZ which forms a ring-like structure (Z-ring) to mark the division site through its association with Z-ring anchors. Synchronized movement of Z-ring filaments and peptidoglycan synthesis along the axis of division help generate a division septum to separate the daughter cells. Thus, FtsZ needs to be linked to the PG synthesis machinery. GpsB is a highly conserved protein among the members of the Firmicutes phylum which has been shown to regulate cell wall synthesis through interaction with penicillin binding proteins. Previously published data from our lab established GpsB as a member of the divisome which directly interacts with FtsZ in Staphylococcus aureus. More specifically, we showed that GpsB binds to FtsZ by recognizing the R-X-X-R sequence in its C- terminal tail (CTT) region. As the GpsB recognition sequence is also present in Bacillus subtilis, we speculated that GpsB-FtsZ interaction might occur in this organism as well. In support of our prediction, previous studies reported that disruption of gpsB and ezrA or gpsB and ftsA is deleterious. Given that both EzrA and FtsA are known Z-ring anchors, we hypothesized that in the absence of other FtsZ anchors, GpsB can fulfill this role in B. subtilis. Our data, taken together, conclusively shows that GpsB is a Z-ring anchor in B. subtilis and this role of GpsB only becomes apparent in the absence of other FtsZ anchoring proteins. Based on the conserved nature of the R-X-X-R sequence in FtsZ- CTT, we also tested GpsB-FtsZ interaction in Enterococcus faecalis and Listeria monocytogenes and show that this recognition motif dependent interaction is present in the former but not the latter. Our results suggest the possibility of C-terminal R-X-X-R independent interaction in L. monocytogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Thus, it appears that GpsB may serve as an accessory Z-ring anchor in multiple organisms. ImportanceCell division is essential for production of offsprings and propagation of life. In bacteria, a key tubulin-like cell division protein FtsZ is brought to the division site by the action of multiple regulators. Arrival of FtsZ and activation of cell wall synthesis are needed to build a division septum to separate the daughter cells. As such, this vital process is controlled by redundant fail-safe mechanisms. For instance, multiple proteins can anchor FtsZ to the membrane at the division site. In this report, we reveal that yet another protein, GpsB, could serve as a back-up FtsZ anchor. GpsB is normally associated with cell wall synthesis in most organisms of the Firmicutes phylum. However, in the absence of other known dedicated FtsZ anchoring factors, GpsB is able to step in to rescue cell division. We provide evidence that this GpsB-FtsZ interaction is present in Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, and possibly Streptococcus pneumoniae. As the rapid rise in antibiotic resistance is threatening public health globally, knowledge of unique important cell division factors could be harnessed to develop new antibacterial therapeutics.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

A machine learning based approach to the segmentation of micro CT data in archaeological and evolutionary sciences

Segmentation of high-resolution tomographic data is often an extremely time-consuming task and until recently, has usually relied upon researchers manually selecting materials of interest slice by slice. With the exponential rise in datasets being acquired, this is clearly not a sustainable workflow. In this paper, we apply the Trainable Weka Segmentation (a freely available plugin for the multiplatform program ImageJ) to typical datasets found in archaeological and evolutionary sciences. We demonstrate that Trainable Weka Segmentation can provide a fast and robust method for segmentation and is as effective as other leading-edge machine learning segmentation techniques.

evolutionary biology↗