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Driscoll, Brian T.

Academic title(s): 

Associate Professor (Microbiology); Departmental Chair

Specialization Coordinator for the Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary) Specialization

Driscoll, Brian T.
Contact Information
Address: 

Macdonald-Stewart building, MS3-038

Phone: 
514-398-7887
Email address: 
brian.driscoll [at] mcgill.ca
Degree(s): 

B.Sc. (McMaster University)
Ph.D. (McMaster University)

Biography: 

Growing up in Dundas, ON, Driscoll discovered his love of science and agriculture at a young age, thanks to the influence of two uncles - one an organic chemistry professor and the other an apple grower. Through stints as a lifeguard and swimming instructor, he discovered that teaching was something he excelled at and enjoyed. While at McMaster University, Brian became interested in molecular microbiology. He found the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis to be a fascinating area of exploration, as it allowed him to feed his interests in both agriculture and science. Driscoll came to Macdonald in 1996 as an Assistant Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Natural Resource Sciences; he teaches courses in Microbial Ecology and Bacterial Molecular Genetics. He has supervised or co-supervised more than 30 graduate students, and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. Driscoll was part of the team that developed the Faculty’s new majors, integrating fundamental science with multidisciplinary studies, as well as being instrumental in the establishment of the Life Sciences Major for which he served as Program Director. He has been Chair of the Department of Natural Resource Sciences since September 2016.

Research areas: 
Ecology and Biodiversity
Current research: 

Research is focused on understanding the exchange of nutrients that occurs between plants and bacteria during symbiotic nitrogen fixation. We are currently investigating the regulation of genes encoding enzymes involved in carbon metabolism in Sinorhizobium meliloti, the nitrogen-fixing symbiont of alfalfa. We are also interested in other aspects of microbial physiology, genetics and ecology. In my lab, we use genetic, biochemical, and molecular biological methods to answer our questions.

View publications list
Areas of interest: 

Rhizobia (such as Sinorhizobium meliloti) are bacteria that can form a symbiotic relationship with legume plants, including crops such as soybean and alfalfa, which are of great economic importance to Canada: symbiotic nitrogen fixation. During symbiosis, S. meliloti invades nodules that it induces on the roots of specific host plants. Within these nodules, the bacteria undergo many changes, and develop into a form known as bacteroids. Bacteroids supply the host plant with a nitrogen source, which is very important in N-poor soils or in the absence of N fertilizer. In return the plant provides the bacteria with an energy source, primarily organic acids, such as malate, which are intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. The TCA cycle allows S. meliloti to generate the large amounts of energy required for effective symbiosis. In bacteroids, the enzymes of most of the TCA cycle enzymes appear to be expressed at much higher levels than in free-living cells.

Courses: 

MICR 331. Microbial Ecology.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
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Description

The ecology of microorganisms, primarily bacteria and archaea, and their roles in biogeochemical cycles. Microbial interactions with the environment, plants, animals and other microbes emphasizing the underlying genetics and physiology. Diversity, evolution (microbial phylogenetics) and the application of molecular biology in microbial ecology.
  • Winter
  • Prerequisite(s): LSCI 230 or AEBI 212 or ENVR 202 or permission of the instructor.
  • Not recommended for U1 students.

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MICR 338. Bacterial Molecular Genetics.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
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Description

Basic bacterial genetics, DNA damage and repair, mutagenesis, gene cloning, mapping and regulation, molecular biology. Laboratory sessions will provide the student with practical experience in the genetic manipulation of microbes and in molecular biology techniques.
  • Prerequisites: LSCI 211, LSCI 230 and LSCI 204, or permission of instructor.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have successfully completed NRSC 338.
  • Prerequisite: LSCI 230

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NRSC 643. M.Sc. Proposal Seminar.

Credits: 1
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Graduate Studies)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
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Description

M.Sc. students in the first year of the programdevelop a research proposal and present aseminar.
  • Section 002 Entomology and Wildlife Biology students
  • Section 003 Microbiology students
  • Restrictions: Open only to students in a Department of Natural Resource Sciences M.Sc. program.

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NRSC 644. M.Sc. Update Seminar.

Credits: 1
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Graduate Studies)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
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Description

M.Sc. students in their second or third semesterpresent oral and poster presentations onresearch progress.
  • Section 003 Microbiology students
  • Prerequisites: NRSC 643
  • Restrictions: Open only to students in a Department of Natural Resource Sciences M.Sc. program.

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NRSC 651. M.Sc. Final Seminar.

Credits: 1
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Graduate Studies)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
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Description

M.Sc. students present a final research seminarafter completing all other course and seminarrequirements.
  • Section 003 Microbiology students
  • Prerequisites: NRSC 644
  • Restrictions: Open only to students in a Department of Natural Resource Sciences M.Sc. program.

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NRSC 751. PhD Research Proposal.

Credits: 0
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Graduate Studies)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
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Description

PhD students in the first year of the programdevelop a research proposal and present aseminar
  • Section 001 Micrometeorology, Forest Science and Soil Science students
  • Section 002 Entomology and Wildlife Biology students
  • Section 003 Microbiology students
  • Restriction: Open only to students in a Department of Natural Resource Sciences Ph.D. program.

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NRSC 752. Teaching Experience.

Credits: 0
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Graduate Studies)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
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Description

Preparation of a course outline and presentationof a teaching seminar.
  • Section 002 Entomology and Wildlife Biology students
  • Section 003 Microbiology students
  • Restrictions: Open only to students in a Department of Natural Resource Sciences Ph.D. program.
  • Prerequisites: NRSC 751

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NRSC 753. PhD Research Progress Report.

Credits: 0
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Graduate Studies)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
View offerings for Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

In fourth or fifth semester, oral and posterpresentations on research progress.
  • Section 002 Entomology and Wildlife Biology students
  • Section 003 Microbiology students
  • Restrictions: Open only to students in a Department of Natural Resource Sciences Ph.D. program.
  • Prerequisites: NRSC 752

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

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NRSC 754. PhD Final Research Report.

Credits: 0
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Graduate Studies)
Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026
View offerings for Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Presentation of a final research seminar.
  • Section 002 Entomology and Wildlife Biology students
  • Section 003 Microbiology students
  • Restriction: Open only to students in a Department of Natural Resource Sciences Ph.D. program.
  • Prerequisites: NRSC 753

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

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Laboratory: 
Currently accepting graduate students
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