Dr Munehiro Asally

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

I am interested in electrical signalling in biology. My recent research mainly focuses on bacterial electrophysiology at the population and single-cell levels.

Living systems are commonly perceived to be more unpredictable, softer, and fuzzier than electronics. But how do such behaviours manifest in biological systems? This is the fundamental question that I am interested in investigating. My research group develops new tools for rapid live cell detection and advances our understanding of bacterial signalling by combining molecular-biological, biophysical, and computational approaches.

Research group activity

Live cell detection. We have developed a novel technology that distinguishes between growing and non-growing cells. This technology can be used for detecting live cells for various purposes -e.g. contamination detection, diagnosis of pathogens, and microbial research. To commercialise this technology, we formed a spinout company, Cytecom Ltd.
Bioelectricity. Researchers, including us, are revising the view that bioelectrical signalling (such as neural signalling) is exclusive to animals. It has been revealed that even bacteria can use membrane potential dynamics for signalling. We study bacterial electrical signalling. We also develop tools for modulating bacterial membrane potential using electricity and light.
Spores. Bacterial spores are an intriguing form of life that is both living and non-living. They can survive in extreme conditions, such as heat, cold, drought, UV, and even extra-terrestrial space. Understanding spores is important not only for understanding the difference between living and non-living but also for future terraformation. We are particularly interested in the bioelectrical dynamics during the formation of spores and the germination of spores into live-growing cells.
Emergent dynamics. Emergent behaviour is one of the characteristic features of living systems. Biological systems frequently exhibit behaviours that cannot be fully explained by reductionism. For example, biofilms can withstand lethal antibiotic doses for individual cells. We are interested in understanding and exploiting the collective dynamics of bacterial biofilms and swarms.

Research Groups

Asally Lab

Quantitative, Systems and Engineering Biology

Microbiology and Infectious disease

Warwick Integrative Synthetic Biology Centre

Warwick Antimicrobial Interdisciplinary Centre

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Student-centred, Supportive, Detail-oriented.

Provision of Training

Over the course of PhD, I expect you to become an independent scientist. I will be closely involved in technical training, data analysis and data interpretation. I expect you to think independently and take initiatives when appropriate. My role is to support your journey of developing your own philosophy to the nature and become a Doctor of Philosophy!

Progression Monitoring and Management

In the non-Pandemic time, I like spending time in the lab and discuss science in the lab. In Pandemic time, I meet online once a week. At the end of each meeting, we will have a clear action plan.

Communication

My lab uses a slack group regularly for communication. We also have a shared calendar and shared server space where protocols and data can be shared in the group. We also have a GitLab group for sharing scripts. I am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential or my/our expectations.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once a week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once a week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once a week

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once a week

These meetings will be a mixture of face to face, via video chat or telephone, and I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Work Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Current Projects (2025-26)

Primary supervisor for:

Structural and cellular characterisation of Bacillus subtilis chloride channels

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Structural and cellular characterisation of Bacillus subtilis chloride channels

Secondary Supervisor(s): Professor Alexander Cameron

University of Registration: University of Warwick

BBSRC Research Themes: Understanding the Rules of Life (Microbiology, Structural Biology)

Project Outline

Bacterial electrophysiology

Bacterial electrophysiology is an emerging exciting cutting-edge field of physical biology. Membrane potential, the electrical potential difference across the membrane, is known to drive neural signalling, but it is often assumed to be homeostatic in non-excitable cells.

Recent studies, including by our group, have demonstrated that bacterial membrane potential can exhibit neuron-like non-linear spiking and rhythmicity with signalling functions during antibiotic exposure, cellular differentiation and biofilm formation (1). For example, we now know that Bacillus subtilis cells in a biofilm can coordinate their metabolisms through electrical cell-cell signalling, through gating of YugO potassium channels, enabling the protected interior cells to be alive (2, 3). Our recent study also shows that chloride channels may have an important role in regulating bacterial membrane potential (4).

A better understanding of membrane potential regulation in bacteria could present electrophysiology as a paradigm in bacterial cell biology. However, bacterial electrophysiology is still an emerging topic, and little is known about the molecular machinery for bacterial electrophysiology.

Project Aim

This project aims to elucidate the structures of putative chloride channels. Combining bioinformatics, structural biology, microbiology and time-lapse imaging this project aims to analyse the structure and functions of B. subtilis chloride channels. The project offers an aspiring student to pioneer the field of bacterial electrophysiology and bioelectricity.

Methods

The project will offer an interdisciplinary training opportunity for computational and experimental and analytical skills. The techniques to be used include structure biology, molecular biology, and time-lapse microscopy.

References

1. Benarroch JM, Asally M. 2020. The Microbiologist’s Guide to Membrane Potential Dynamics. Trends Microbiol 28:304–314.

2. Prindle A, Liu J, Asally M, Ly S, Garcia-Ojalvo J, Süel GM. 2015. Ion channels enable electrical communication in bacterial communities. Nature 527:59–63.

3. Liu J, Martinez-Corral R, Prindle A, Lee DD, Larkin J, Gabalda-Sagarra M, Garcia-Ojalvo J, Süel GM. 2017. Coupling between distant biofilms and emergence of nutrient time-sharing. Science (80- ) 356:638–642.

4. de Souza-Guerreiro TC, Bondelli G, Grobas I, Donini S, Sesti V, Bertarelli C, Lanzani G, Asally M, Paternò GM. 2023. Membrane Targeted Azobenzene Drives Optical Modulation of Bacterial Membrane Potential. Adv Sci 2205007.

Molecular dynamics of a bacterial potassium channel YugO

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Molecular dynamics of a bacterial potassium channel YugO

Secondary Supervisor(s): Professor Phillip Stansfeld

University of Registration: University of Warwick

BBSRC Research Themes: Understanding the Rules of Life (Microbiology, Structural Biology)

Project Outline

Bacterial electrophysiology

Recent studies, including by our group, have demonstrated that bacterial membrane potential can exhibit neuron-like non-linear spiking and rhythmicity with signalling functions during antibiotic exposure, cellular differentiation and biofilm formation (1). For example, we now know that Bacillus subtilis cells in a biofilm can coordinate their metabolisms through electrical cell-cell signalling, through the gating of YugO potassium channels, enabling the protected interior cells to be alive (2, 3).

Project Aim

To elucidate the molecular mechanism of YugO potassium channel gating

This project aims to characterise the gating mechanism of the B subtilis potassium channel YugO. You will combine molecular dynamics simulations and molecular cell biology experiments to elucidate the detailed mechanism of YugO channel opening and closing. The project offers an aspiring student to pioneer the field of bacterial electrophysiology and bioelectricity.

Methods

The project will offer an interdisciplinary training opportunity for computational and experimental and analytical skills. The techniques to be used include computational modelling of YugO channel dynamics, molecular biology experiments to create and characterise mutant constructs, and single-cell time-lapse microscopy.

An ideal candidate will have experience in computational programming and knowledge in biochemistry and/or molecular biology.

References

1. Benarroch JM, Asally M. 2020. The Microbiologist’s Guide to Membrane Potential Dynamics. Trends Microbiol 28:304–314.

2. Prindle A, Liu J, Asally M, Ly S, Garcia-Ojalvo J, Süel GM. 2015. Ion channels enable electrical communication in bacterial communities. Nature 527:59–63.

Investigating heat-based detection and manipulation of bacterial biofilms

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Investigating heat-based detection and manipulation of bacterial biofilms

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Vasily Kantsler (Physics)

University of Registration: University of Warwick

BBSRC Research Themes: Understanding the Rules of Life (Microbiology, Systems Biology)

Project Outline

Biofilms—structured communities of microbes on surfaces—pose significant challenges in industries like healthcare, environmental management, and more, with an estimated global impact of $5 trillion annually. At the same time, biofilms present exciting opportunities for innovations in engineering biology and bioremediation. This growing recognition has led to an urgent need for advanced techniques to detect and control biofilms.

Our project proposes a novel approach: using the heat generated by bacteria as a means to detect and manipulate biofilms. Recent discoveries show that bacterial heat can be measured using infrared thermal imaging. While thermal imaging and stimulation techniques have been successfully applied to animal cells, they remain underexplored in the context of bacterial biofilms.

In this project, we aim to adapt and refine thermal imaging techniques—proven effective at both microscopic and macroscopic levels with mammalian cells—to bacterial biofilms. Our goal is to detect heat generated by biofilms and develop localized, heat-based methods for biofilm manipulation.

This project offers an excellent interdisciplinary training opportunity, combining computational, experimental, and analytical skills. Students with backgrounds in Physics or Chemistry are especially encouraged to apply.

Previous Projects (2024-25)

Primary supervisor for:

Bringing light to bacterial electrophysiology – bacterial optogenetics Electrogenetics – engineering living electronic transducer protein Molecular mechanism of bacterial electrical signalling

Previous Projects (2023-24)

Primary supervisor for:

Molecular basis of bacterial electrophysiology Self-organizing collective dynamics in bacteria