Rate My Professor Oliver Dietrich

Dr. Oliver Dietrich is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Fineran Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago, within the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences. His research specializes in comparative genomics of bacteria and phages to advance precision phage biocontrol. Bacteria cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants, yet they are susceptible to bacteriophages, viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Dietrich investigates how interactions between bacteria and phages are shaped by surface interactions, bacterial immune systems, and viral counter-defenses, all facilitated by proteins encoded in their genomes. By analyzing genome composition, he determines influences on infection outcomes and develops predictive models based on sequence data. This approach enables the targeted use of phages to control bacterial pathogens. In his upcoming seminar on April 14, 2025, titled 'Comparative genomics of bacteria and phages for precision phage biocontrol,' he will present results on the susceptibility of the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae to phages isolated from cherry orchards in Central Otago.