UC Spark

Professor Jack Heinemann

Biological Sciences

Fields of Research

  • Microbial genetics and evolution
  • Horizontal gene transfer
  • Risk assessment especially of genetically modified organisms
  • Academic freedom and role of critic and conscience of society
  • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
  • Conflicts of interest in research
  • Gene ecology
  • Project management
  • Earthquake research
  • Science, technology and tertiary sector policies including funding

Researcher Summary

Research interests include the genetics and molecular biology of single-celled bacteria and some eukaryotic microorganisms, horizontal gene transfer, particularly conjugation, phage genetics, effects of stress, particularly induced by antibiotics, evolution and risk assessment, influence of language on science and eugenics. Specific interests are the biochemical and genetic characterization of horizontal gene transfer (particularly as it relates to the evolution of virulence and antibiotic resistance in microbes and the risks of genetically modified/engineered organisms) and yeast, bacteria and the test of evolutionary theories.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Research Groups

Future Research

  • Particular ongoing emphasis on role of toxin-anti-toxin systems in the evolution of fundamental cellular reactions, and in recruiting vectors of horizontal (lateral) gene transfer.

Key Methodologies

  • genetic engineering, molecular biology, microbial genetics, genotoxicity

Affiliations

Prizes and Awards

  • New Zealand Association of Scientists Research Medal (2002)
  • ICAAC Young Investigator (1993)

Research Service

  • Contributor to Sciblogs (2010-2011)
  • Chief organiser international conference (2009)
  • Special recognition for student support from New Zealand Ombudsman (2006-2007)
  • UN Roster of Experts (Biosafety Protocol) (2005-2009)
  • Created the NZIGE/INBI. Serve as director (2001-present)

Publications


  • Heinemann, J.A., Zanon Agapito-Tenfen, S. and Carman, J.A. (2013) A comparative evaluation of the regulation of GM crops or products containing dsRNA and suggested improvements to risk assessments. Environment International 55: 43-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2013.02.010. (Journal Article)
  • Hilbeck, A., Lebrecht, T., Vogel, R., Heinemann, J.A. and Binimelis, R. (2013) Farmer's choice of seeds in four EU countries under different levels of GM crop adoption. Environmental Sciences Europe 25(early access online) http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/2190-4715-25-12. (Journal Article)
  • Quist, D., Heinemann, J.A., Myhr, A.I., Aslaksen I., Funtowicz. and S. (2013) Hungry for innovation in a world of food: Pathways from GM crops to agroecology. In D. Gee (Ed.), Late Lessons from Early Warnings (2nd ed.): 29. Cophenhagen: EEA. (Chapter in Book)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2012) Briefing on Suggestions on How to Apply International Safety Testing Guidelines for Genetically Modified Organisms. Supreme Court of India. (Report for External Body)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2012) Evaluation of risks from creation of novel RNA molecules in genetically engineered wheat plants and recommendations for risk assessment. Safe Food Institute. 16 + appendices. www.inbi.canterbury.ac.nz. (Report for External Body)
  • Bigwood, T., Hudson, J.A., Cooney, J., McIntyre, L., Billington, C., Heinemann, J.A. and Wall, F. (2012) Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes by Enterococcus mundtii isolated from soil. Food Microbiology 32(2): 354-360. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fm.2012.07.015. (Journal Article)
  • Rankin, D.J., Turner, L.A., Heinemann, J.A. and Brown, S.P. (2012) The coevolution of toxin and antitoxin genes drives the dynamics of bacterial addiction complexes and intragenomic conflict. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 279(1743): 3706-3715. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2012.0942. (Journal Article)
  • Bigot, B., Lee, W-J., McIntyre, L., Wilson, T., Hudson, J.A., Billington, C. and Heinemann, J.A. (2011) Control of Listeria monocytogenes growth in a ready-to-eat poultry product using a bacteriophage. Food Microbiology 28(8): 1448-1452. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fm.2011.07.001. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A., Kurenbach, B. and Bleyendaal, N. (2011) Evaluation of horizontal gene transfer monitoring experiments conducted in New Zealand between 2004 and 2009. Journal of Organic Systems 6(1): 3-19. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2011) How the world looks to a gene. Monte Verita, Switzerland: Understanding and managing ecological novelty: Towards an integrative framework of the socio-ecological risks of novel organisms, 4-9 Sep 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Coray, D.S., Keenan, J.I. and Heinemann, J.A. (2011) Human lactoferrin increases Helicobacter pylori internalisation into AGS cells. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11274-011-0984-z. (Journal Article)
  • Romero-Suarez, S., Jordan, B. and Heinemann, J.A. (2011) Isolation and characterization of bacteriophages infecting Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis, the causal agent of walnut blight disease. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11274-011-0992-z. (Journal Article)
  • Lee, W-J., Billington, C., Hudson, J.A. and Heinemann, J.A. (2011) Isolation and characterization of phages infecting Bacillus cereus. Letters in Applied Microbiology 52(5): 456-464. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-765X.2011.03023.x. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A., Kurenbach, B. and Quist, D. (2011) Molecular profiling - a tool for addressing emerging gaps in the comparative risk assessment of GMOs. Environment International 37(7): 1285-1293. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2011.05.006. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2011) Potential and risks of genetic engineering and biotechnology related to assuring food security under the challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (Report for External Body)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2010) Agriculture at a crossroads - beyond IAASTD. Zurich, Switzerland: Tropentag 2010. World food system: A contribution from Europe, 14-16 Sep 2010. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2010) AHTEG on Risk Assessment - Process and Outcomes. Nagoya, Japan: Key Decsions for Adoption at COP-MOP 5, 11 Oct 2010. (Oral Presentation)
  • Heinemann, J. (2010) Are some scientists just taking the cis out of genetic engineering? Pt I. Sciblog.co.nz (NZ Royal Society). (Other)
  • Heinemann, J. (2010) Are some scientists just taking the cis out of genetic engineering? Pt II. Sciblog.co.nz (NZ Royal Society). (Other)
  • Heinemann, J. (2010) Is genetic engineering just like breeding? Sciblog.co.nz (NZ Royal Society). (Other)
  • Cooper, T.F., Paixão, T. and Heinemann, J.A. (2010) Within-host competition selects for plasmid-encoded toxin-antitoxin systems. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 277(1697): 3149-3155. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2010.0831. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J., Abate, T., Hilbeck, A. and Murray, D. (2009) Biotechnology in 'Agriculture at a Crossroads: IAASTD Synthesis Report'. FAO, GEF, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, the World Bank, WHO. 40-45. (Report for External Body)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2009) Biotechnology supervised by Darwin. Melbourne Australia: Evolution: The experience, 8-13 Feb 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2009) Hope not Hype. The future of agriculture guided by the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development. Penang: Third World Network. 160pp. (Authored Book)
  • Heinemann, J.A. and Kurenbach, B. (2009) Horizontal Transfer of Genes between Microorganisms. In M. Schaechter (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Microbiology (3rd ed.): 597-606. Amsterdam: Elsevier. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-012373944-5.00009-2. (Chapter in Book)
  • Heinemann, J.A., Coray, D. and Keenan, J. (2009) Intra- and inter-species horizontal gene transfer inside human tissue culture cells. Christchurch, New Zealand: ComBio 2009, 6-10 Dec 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Gurib-Fakim, A., Smith, L., Acikgoz, N., Avato, P., Bossio, D., Ebi, K., Gonçalves, A., Heinemann, J.A., Herrmann, T.M., Padgham, J., Pennarz, J., Scheidegger, U., Sebastian, L., Taboada, M., Viglizzo, E., Bachman, F., Best, B., Brossier, J., Farnworth, C., Gewa, C., Gyasi, E., Izaurralde, C., Leakey, R., Long, J., McGuire, S., Meier, P., Perfecto, I. and Zundel, C. (2009) Options to Enhance the Impact of AKST on Development and Sustainability Goals. In B.D. McIntyre, H.R. Herren, J. Wakhungu and R.T. Watson (Ed.), Agriculture at a Crossroads: International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development Global Report: 377-440. Washington, DC: Island Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • Heinemann, J. (2009) Report on animals exposed to GM ingredients in animal feed. Commerce Commission of New Zealand. 49pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Calvo, G., Fonte, M., Heinemann, J., Ishii-Eiteman, M., Jiggins, J., Leakey, R. and Plencovich, C. (2009) Towards sustainable agriculture. UNESCO-SCOPE-UNEP Policy Brief Series Policy Brief 8: 6pp. Paris: UNESCO, SCOPE, UNEP. (Other)
  • Kiers, E.T., Leakey, R.R.B., Izac, A-M., Heinemann, J.A., Rosenthal, E., Nathan, D. and Jiggins, J. (2008) Agriculture at a Crossroads. Science 320(5874): 320-321. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1158390. (Journal Article)
  • Filutowicz, M., Burgess, R., Gamelli, R.L., Heinemann, J.A., Kurenbach, B., Rakowski, S.A. and Shankar, R. (2008) Bacterial conjugation-based antimicrobial agents. Plasmid 60(1): 38-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.plasmid.2008.03.004. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J. (2008) Desert grain. The Ecologist 38(9): 22-24. Magazine Article. (Other)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2008) Emerging GMOs and Biosafety Considerations. Beijing, China: International Biosafety Forum – Workshop 3, Sep 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2008) Gene flow: Assessing environmental risks and identifying biosafety research need. Beijing, China: International Biosafety Forum - Workshop 3, 24-26 Sep 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Bigwood, T., Hudson, J.A., Billington, C., Carey-Smith, G.V. and Heinemann, J.A. (2008) Phage inactivation of foodborne pathogens on cooked and raw meat. Food Microbiology 25(2): 400-406. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fm.2007.11.003. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A. and Kurenbach, B. (2008) Special threats to the agroecosystem from the combination of genetically modified crops and glyphosate. In Biosafety Briefing, August 2008: 8pp. Third World Network. Briefing Paper. (Other)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2008) The inevitability of (trans)gene flow - environment and health risks. London, UK: Feed the World, 12 Nov 2008. (Oral Presentation)
  • Heinemann, J.A., Kurenbach, B., Feng, S. and Ferguson, G. (2008) The molecular biology of the biggest and the smallest human ecosystems: from the size of a cell to a planet. Dartmouth University, NH, USA. (Oral Presentation)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2007) A typology of the effects of (trans)gene flow on the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources. Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. 100pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2007) Letter to the Editor. Environmental and Planning Law Journal 24(3): 157-160. (Journal Article)
  • Silby, M.W., Ferguson, G.C., Billington, C. and Heinemann, J.A. (2007) Localization of the plasmid-encoded proteins Tral and MobA in eukaryotic cells. Plasmid 57(2): 118-130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.plasmid.2006.08.006. (Journal Article)
  • Tsuei, A-C., Carey-Smith, G.V., Hudson, J.A., Billington, C. and Heinemann, J.A. (2007) Prevalence and numbers of coliphages and Campylobacter jejuni bacteriophages in New Zealand foods. International Journal of Food Microbiology 116(1): 121-125. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2006.12.028. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A. and Goven, J. (2007) The Social Context of Drug Discovery and Safety Testing. In C.F. Amábile-Cuevas (Ed.), Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria: 179-196. Norfolk: Horizon Bioscience. (Chapter in Book)
  • Heinemann, J.A., Rosén, H., Savill, M., Burgos-Caraballo, S. and Toranzos, G.A. (2006) Environment Arrays: A Possible Approach for Predicting Changes in Waterborne Bacterial Disease Potential. Environmental Science and Technology 40(23): 7150-7156. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es060331x. (Journal Article)
  • Carey-Smith, G., Billington, C., Cornelius, A.J., Hudson, A. and Heinemann, J.A. (2006) Isolation and characterization of bacteriophages infecting Salmonella spp. FEMS Microbiology Letters 258(2): 182-186. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6968.2006.00217.x. (Journal Article)
  • Willms, A.R., Roughan, P.D. and Heinemann, J.A. (2006) Static recipient cells as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance during antibiotic therapy. Theoretical Population Biology 70(4): 436-451. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tpb.2006.04.001. (Journal Article)
  • Cretenet, M., Goven, J., Heinemann, J.A., Moore, B. and Rodriguez-Beltran, C. (2006) Submission on the DAR for Application A549 Food Derived from High-Lysine Corm LY038: to permit the use in food of high-lysine corn.: 100pp. http://www.inbi.canterbury.ac.nz. (Other)
  • Chowdhury, P.R. and Heinemann, J.A. (2006) The General Secretory Pathway of Burkholderia gladioli pv. agaricicola BG164R Is Necessary for Cavity Disease in White Button Mushrooms. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 72(5): 3558-3565. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.72.5.3558-3565.2006. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A. and Bungard, R.A. (2005) Horizontal Gene Transfer. In R.A. Meyers (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Molecular Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Volume 6: 223-243. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. (Chapter in Book)
  • Cooper, T.F. and Heinemann, J.A. (2005) Selection for plasmid postsegregational killing depends on multiple infection: Evidence for the selection of more virulent parasites through parasite-level competition. Proceedings of the Royal Society London Biological Science Series B 272: 403-410. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2004) Challenges to regulating the industrial gene: Views inspired by the New Zealand experience. In K. Dew and R. Fitzgerald (Ed.), Challenging Science: Science and Society Issues in New Zealand (1 ed.): 240-257. Palmerston North: Dunmore Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2004) Horizontal transfer of genes between microorganisms. In J. Lederberg (Ed.), Desk Encyclopedia of Microbiology: 580-588. London: Elsevier, Ltd. (Chapter in Book)
  • Heinemann, J.A. and Billington, C. (2004) How do genomes emerge from genes? ASM News 70(10): 464-471. (Journal Article)
  • Weld, R.J., Butts, C. and Heinemann, J.A. (2004) Models of phage growth and their applicability to phage therapy. Journal of Theoretical Biology 227: 1-11. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A. and Traavik, T. (2004) Problems in monitoring horizontal gene transfer in field trials of transgenic plants. Nature Biotechnology 22(9): 1105-1109. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A. and Traavik, T. (2004) Reply to Monitoring horizontal gene transfer from transgenic plants to bacteria. Nature Biotechnology 22: 1349-1350. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (2004) Scientific advice received by the Committee on PCR and the Lot 9114 test results. Local Government and Environment Select Committee. (Report for External Body)
  • Amabile-Cuevas, C.F. and Heinemann, J.A. (2004) Shooting the messenger of antibiotic resistance: Plasmid elimination as a potential counter-evolutionary tactic. Drug Discovery Today 9: 465-467. (Journal Article)
  • Amabile-Cuevas, C.F. and Heinemann, J.A. (2004) Shooting the messenger of antibiotic resistance: Plasmid elimination as a potential counter-evolutionary tactic. Drug Discovery Today 9: 465-467. (Journal Article)
  • Bland, M., Ismail, S., Heinemann, J.A. and Keenan, J. (2004) The action of bismuth against Helicobacter pylori mimics but is not caused by intracellular iron deprivation. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 48: 1983-1988. (Journal Article)
  • Anker, P., Zajack, V., Lyautey, J., Lederrey, C., Dunand, C., Lefort, F., Mulachy, H., Heinemann, J. and Stroun, M. (2004) Transcession of DNA from bacteria to human cells in culture. A possible role for oncogenesis. Annals of the New York Academy of Science (1022): 195-201. (Journal Article)
  • Weld,R. and Heinemann, JA. (2002) Antibiotic-induced pseudolysogeny. Bergen, Norway: Bageco-6, 6th International Congress on Bacterial Genetics and Ecology, 2002. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Heinemann,JA. (2002) Are DNA sequences too simple as intellectual property? Reply to Gene patents: are they socially acceptable monopolies - essential for drug discovery? Drug Discovery Today 7: 23--24. (Journal Article)
  • Weld, R.J., Bicknell, R., Heinemann, JA. and Eady, C. (2002) Ds transposition mediated by transient transposase expression in Heiracium aurantiacum.. Pl. Cell Tiss Organ Cult 69: 45--54. (Journal Article)
  • Ferguson, G.C., Heinemann, J.A. and Kennedy, M.A. (2002) Gene Transfer between Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium inside Epithelial Cells.. J. Bacteriol 1848(April 15): 2235--2242. (Journal Article)
  • Weld, R. and Heinemann, J.A. (2002) Horizontal transfer of proteins between species: part of the big picture or just a genetic vignette? In Kado, C.I. and Syvanen, M. (Ed.), Horizontal Gene Transfer (2nd ed ed.): 51--62. London and San Diego: Academic Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • Ferguson, G.C. and Heinemann, JA. (2002) Recent history of trans-kingdom conjugation. In Syvanen, M. and Kado, C.I. (Ed.), Horizontal Gene Transfer (2nd ed ed.): 3--17. London and San Diego: Academic Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • Weld, R., Heinemann, J. and Eady, C. (2002) Transient GFP expression in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia suspension cells following co-cultivation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens: the role of gene silencing, cell death and T-DNA loss. Plant Mol. Biol 45: 377--85. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann,JA. (2001) Alternative vs. conventional medicines: a clash of culture or of science? N.Z. Coll. Midwiv. J 24: 23--25. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann,JA. (2001) Can smart bullets penetrate magic bullet-proof vests? Drug Discovery Today 6(17): 875--78. (Journal Article)
  • Adams, B. and Heinemann, JA. (2000) Antibacterial viruses and antibacterial agents: a one-two punch? N.Z. Medical J 113: 107. (Journal Article)
  • Weld, R. and Heinemann, JA. (2000) Antibiotic-induced pseudolysogeny: Implications for Antibiotic/Phage Combination Therapy. Montreal, Canada: Millenial Phage Biology Meeting, 2000. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Heinemann, JA., Ankenbauer, R.G. and Amabile-Cuevas, C.F. (2000) Do antibiotics maintain antibiotic resistance? Drug Discovery Today 5: 195--204. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann,JA. (2000) Horizontal transfer of genes between microorganisms. In J. Lederberg (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Microbiology (2nd ed ed.): 698--707.Academic Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • Heinemann, JA. and Roughan, P.D. (2000) New hypotheses on the material nature of horizontally mobile genes. Annals N.Y. Acad. Sci 906: 169--87. (Journal Article)
  • Cooper, T.F. and Heinemann, J.A. (2000) Postsegregational killing does not increase plasmid stability but acts to mediate the exclusion of competing plasmids.. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97: 12643--8. (Journal Article)
  • Gunn, A. and Heinemann, JA. (2000) Stealth antibiotic resistance.. N.Z. Medical J 113: 107. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann,JA. (2000) The complex effects of gyrase inhibitors on bacterial conjugation.. J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. & Biophys 4: 165--77. (Journal Article)
  • Cooper, T.F. and Heinemann, JA. (2000) Transfer of conjugative plasmids and bacteriophage úf occurs in the presence of antibiotics that prevent de novo gene expression. Plasmid 43: 171--5. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (1999) Genetic evidence of protein transfer during bacterial conjugation. Plasmid 41: 240--7. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (1999) How antibiotics cause antibiotic resistance. Drug Discovery Today 4: 72--9. (Journal Article)
  • Heinemann, J.A. (1999) Looking sideways at the evolution of replicons. In M. Syvanen & C. Kado (Ed.), Horizontal Gene Transfer: 11 --24. London: International Thomson Publishing. (Chapter in Book)
  • Weld, R.J., Heinemann, JA. and Eady, C.C. (1999) Transient gene expression following co-cultivation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Rotorua, New Zealand: Thirteenth Biennial Meeting of the New Zealand Branch of the International Association for Plant Tissue Culture, 1999. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Weld, R., Heinemann, JA., Bicknell, R.A. and Eady, C.C. (1998) Transient transposase expression in Hieracium aurantiacum following co-cultivation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Queenstown, New Zealand: Eighth Annual Queenstown Molecular Biology Meeting, 1998. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Heinemann,JA. (1997) Assessing the risk of interkingdom DNA transfer. Nordic Seminar an Antibiotic Resistance Marker Genes and Transgenic Plants: 17--28. Oslo: Norwegian Biotechnology Board. (Chapter in Book)
  • Singh, K. and Heinemann, JA. (1997) Yeast Plasmids. In Tuan, RS (Ed.), Recombinant gene expression protocols: 113--130. Totowa: Humana Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • no one wrote this. (1900) DELETE THIS RECORD. (Other)