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Genetics and evolution of Shigella O antigens. We use genome scale sequencing techniques to sequence 26 O-antigen gene clusters from Shigella. With the seven already known, this will give sequences for every O-antigen of Shigella. This will be the first time that such set is fully sequenced. Shigella are human specific pathogens, have emerged with the evolution of humans. O-antigens are important for their life and pathogenicity. This project will greatly extend our knowledge of the genetic basi ....Genetics and evolution of Shigella O antigens. We use genome scale sequencing techniques to sequence 26 O-antigen gene clusters from Shigella. With the seven already known, this will give sequences for every O-antigen of Shigella. This will be the first time that such set is fully sequenced. Shigella are human specific pathogens, have emerged with the evolution of humans. O-antigens are important for their life and pathogenicity. This project will greatly extend our knowledge of the genetic basis and evolution of this important polymorphism. O-antigens are used for typing Shigella and also elicit strong immunity. The molecular data will help establish DNA based typing and vaccine development.Read moreRead less
The effect of age on regulatory T cell control of the innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses. Viral pathogens are a lead cause of infant mortality in the world. This project will define how T regulatory cells limit protective antiviral immune responses in the young. This information is critical for the development of potent antiviral vaccines that are effective from the newborn period without inducing autoimmunity. It will also provide novel insight into the way T regulatory cells can b ....The effect of age on regulatory T cell control of the innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses. Viral pathogens are a lead cause of infant mortality in the world. This project will define how T regulatory cells limit protective antiviral immune responses in the young. This information is critical for the development of potent antiviral vaccines that are effective from the newborn period without inducing autoimmunity. It will also provide novel insight into the way T regulatory cells can be manipulated both to dampen immunity, which can be used to develop strategies to reduce immune mediated disease and limit transplant rejection. Read moreRead less
Bacterial and host drivers of chlamydial blindness in koalas. Chlamydial infection of the eyes is a significant cause of disease and death in koalas, contributing to the ongoing decline of this native species. Little is known about what influences the outcome of these infections, challenging efforts to manage and control koala chlamydial blindness. This project aims to evaluate whether differences in the infecting Chlamydia pecorum strains or the koala immune response, are associated with the ou ....Bacterial and host drivers of chlamydial blindness in koalas. Chlamydial infection of the eyes is a significant cause of disease and death in koalas, contributing to the ongoing decline of this native species. Little is known about what influences the outcome of these infections, challenging efforts to manage and control koala chlamydial blindness. This project aims to evaluate whether differences in the infecting Chlamydia pecorum strains or the koala immune response, are associated with the outcome of chlamydial ocular infection. In addition to helping us to understand and prevent blindness in koalas, this project should significantly expand our knowledge of the koala immune system and generate an array of koala immunological assays, outcomes that may benefit all koala conservation efforts.Read moreRead less
Revealing the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of avian influenza virus. This project aims to understand how avian influenza virus (AIV) emerges, evolves and spreads in wild birds. AIV has the potential to devastate the poultry industry and cause human pandemics, but the factors that shape the genetic diversity of AIV in its wild bird reservoir are poorly understood. The project plans to combine genomic, ecological and phylogenetic approaches to reveal key aspects of AIV evolution, as well a ....Revealing the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of avian influenza virus. This project aims to understand how avian influenza virus (AIV) emerges, evolves and spreads in wild birds. AIV has the potential to devastate the poultry industry and cause human pandemics, but the factors that shape the genetic diversity of AIV in its wild bird reservoir are poorly understood. The project plans to combine genomic, ecological and phylogenetic approaches to reveal key aspects of AIV evolution, as well as the risk for future viral emergence. Using sampling sites in Australia and Antarctica, it plans to investigate AIV diversity, the evolutionary dynamics of AIV in wild birds and poultry, and the role played by environmental transmission in AIV ecology.Read moreRead less
A functional genomic approach for understanding metal ion adaptation in marine cyanobacteria. Unicellular marine cyanobacteria constitute 20-40% of total marine chlorophyll biomass and carbon fixation, and hence significantly impact the global carbon cycle and are very relevant to combating global warming. This research will reveal some of the major mechanisms by which marine cyanobacteria have adapted to metal levels in coastal and oligotrophic environments. Thus these results will help us und ....A functional genomic approach for understanding metal ion adaptation in marine cyanobacteria. Unicellular marine cyanobacteria constitute 20-40% of total marine chlorophyll biomass and carbon fixation, and hence significantly impact the global carbon cycle and are very relevant to combating global warming. This research will reveal some of the major mechanisms by which marine cyanobacteria have adapted to metal levels in coastal and oligotrophic environments. Thus these results will help us understand the distribution and diversity of these organisms in relation to global primary productivity. They will also lead to the development of more robust biomarkers for metal stress and pollution in coastal environments.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of action and expression of bioactive compounds produced by the surface associated marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata. The marine surface-associated bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata produces a number of bioactive metabolites that inhibit the colonisation and growth of common fouling organisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae and invertebrate larvae. The antibacterial and antifungal compounds represent novel metabolites active against a remarkable range of both medically and ....Mechanisms of action and expression of bioactive compounds produced by the surface associated marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata. The marine surface-associated bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata produces a number of bioactive metabolites that inhibit the colonisation and growth of common fouling organisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae and invertebrate larvae. The antibacterial and antifungal compounds represent novel metabolites active against a remarkable range of both medically and agriculturally important bacteria and fungi. This project aims to explore the identity, mode of action and regulation of expression of these compounds. This research proposal addresses several significant biological concepts and will lead to the development of novel environmentally friendly antifouling and antimicrobial technologies.Read moreRead less
Evolutionary and ecological complexity in an experimentally controlled environment. Understanding the capacity and mechanism of microbial evolution provides the framework for developing new strategies for preventing infectious disease. If we know how evolution works, it will be possible to hamper the capacity to evolve as a mechanism of preventing new diseases and controlling existing ones. This project will provide a mechanistic description of evolution in real time under controlled conditions. ....Evolutionary and ecological complexity in an experimentally controlled environment. Understanding the capacity and mechanism of microbial evolution provides the framework for developing new strategies for preventing infectious disease. If we know how evolution works, it will be possible to hamper the capacity to evolve as a mechanism of preventing new diseases and controlling existing ones. This project will provide a mechanistic description of evolution in real time under controlled conditions. This detailed information will be used in the education of the public and in debates about evolution. The project will also train at least five students in molecular and evolutionary microbiology, essential for facing future challenges.
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Microbial sulphatises in the rhizosphere and their control by interactions with plants. Plant-microbe interactions are critical in mobilizing soil sulphur for crop growth. This project will identify the microbes responsible for delivering sulphur to two major Australian crops, and will examine how the plants stimulate this activity in their root zone. The results have potential application for sustainable agriculture in Australia.
Biofertiliser technology for improved yields and environmental sustainability of rice and wheat crops. Australia faces the double challenge of improving the efficiency of its crop production while minimising the agricultural impact on its fragile biodiversity. Our project will meet this challenge by providing the technology for using natural biofertilisers in cereal crops. This will reduce our heavy reliance on chemical fertilisers - with associated soil loss, salinity and acidity, and high dema ....Biofertiliser technology for improved yields and environmental sustainability of rice and wheat crops. Australia faces the double challenge of improving the efficiency of its crop production while minimising the agricultural impact on its fragile biodiversity. Our project will meet this challenge by providing the technology for using natural biofertilisers in cereal crops. This will reduce our heavy reliance on chemical fertilisers - with associated soil loss, salinity and acidity, and high demand on scarce water resources - and significantly increase our crop yields. Our advances will help Australian farmers to reduce the costs and increase the productivity of our substantial export crops while improving their environmental sustainability.Read moreRead less
Switching partners: a driving force for tree productivity in a changing environment? Eucalypts take part in a mutually beneficial association with diverse communities of mycorrhizal fungi to satisfy nutrient demands. The fungi that eucalypts interact with change as they grow but the reasons for this shift are not known. To improve forestry management strategies, the project will determine why and how this shift occurs.