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
Generation of Novel Fermentation Products and their Exploitation in the Synthesis of Biologically Active Organic Compounds with Therapeutic Potential. Collections of new micro-organisms and their metabolites suitable for use in the chemical synthesis programs will emerge from the proposed research. This will provide a potentially highly-valuable national resource that could serve the needs of many laboratories around Australia by allowing them to establish more direct routes to target molecules ....Generation of Novel Fermentation Products and their Exploitation in the Synthesis of Biologically Active Organic Compounds with Therapeutic Potential. Collections of new micro-organisms and their metabolites suitable for use in the chemical synthesis programs will emerge from the proposed research. This will provide a potentially highly-valuable national resource that could serve the needs of many laboratories around Australia by allowing them to establish more direct routes to target molecules being sought in the development of new therapeutic agents and/or materials. The combined application of molecular biological, microbiological and chemical synthesis techniques in a concerted manner in the one location will lead to a raft of new opportunities for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of virus transport in indoor environments. The socio-economic benefits to Australia from the project will include the developed and validated model for quantification of virus spread and survival through aerosolation processes, which will become an important tool for: (i) prediction of the pathways of virus spread in indoor environment, and (ii) developing future directions for management and control for prevention or minimization the likelihood of human infections. The ultimate econo ....Mechanisms of virus transport in indoor environments. The socio-economic benefits to Australia from the project will include the developed and validated model for quantification of virus spread and survival through aerosolation processes, which will become an important tool for: (i) prediction of the pathways of virus spread in indoor environment, and (ii) developing future directions for management and control for prevention or minimization the likelihood of human infections. The ultimate economic benefit of this research will be reduction in health care costs and lost productivity. The research will also place Australia in the forefront of international progress and race towards toward better methods for virus spread prevention. Read moreRead less
Arsenite oxidation by a novel bacterium that is a candidate for arsenic bioremediation. The arsenic munching microbe NT-26 could help in the fight to clean up arsenic-contaminated mining waste and drinking water. Arsenic poses an environmental problem in countries such as Australia, USA and Canada owing primarily to mining activities. The problem in countries such as Bangladesh and West Bengal are even more serious as these people are dying of arsenic-related diseases as they rely on water conta ....Arsenite oxidation by a novel bacterium that is a candidate for arsenic bioremediation. The arsenic munching microbe NT-26 could help in the fight to clean up arsenic-contaminated mining waste and drinking water. Arsenic poses an environmental problem in countries such as Australia, USA and Canada owing primarily to mining activities. The problem in countries such as Bangladesh and West Bengal are even more serious as these people are dying of arsenic-related diseases as they rely on water containing arsenic as their primary source of drinking water. The outcomes of this research should provide the necessary information for removing arsenic from all types of waters.Read moreRead less
Early evolutionary origins of mechanosensory transduction: structure, function and phylogenetic studies of the family of mechanosensitive channels in cell-walled organisms. The proposed project is based on the recent progress the applicants have made by (i) identifying a novel family of mechanosensitive (MS) channels in cell-walled organisms, which include Archaea and Bacteria (prokaryotes), as well as fungi and plants (eukaryotes), and (ii) determining basic aspects of the structural dynamics ....Early evolutionary origins of mechanosensory transduction: structure, function and phylogenetic studies of the family of mechanosensitive channels in cell-walled organisms. The proposed project is based on the recent progress the applicants have made by (i) identifying a novel family of mechanosensitive (MS) channels in cell-walled organisms, which include Archaea and Bacteria (prokaryotes), as well as fungi and plants (eukaryotes), and (ii) determining basic aspects of the structural dynamics of MscL, the prototype MS channel, using electronparamagnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations in combination with the patch clamp technique. The aim of the project is to elucidate the molecular principles underlying the function of MS channels, which is of fundamental importance for understanding of the biophysics and physiology of mechanosensory transduction throughout the biological world.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
Functional drug-releasing polymer nano-composites for preventing medical device infection and encrustation. By developing new methodologies for producing functional biomaterials, this research will benefit Australia by continuing our high profile in this research field and by producing economic benefits arising from development and export of materials technologies to the major user groups in USA and Europe. With our demonstrated linkages with Australian based biomaterials developers at CSIRO an ....Functional drug-releasing polymer nano-composites for preventing medical device infection and encrustation. By developing new methodologies for producing functional biomaterials, this research will benefit Australia by continuing our high profile in this research field and by producing economic benefits arising from development and export of materials technologies to the major user groups in USA and Europe. With our demonstrated linkages with Australian based biomaterials developers at CSIRO and University of Queensland, as well as with companies involved in the commercialisation of polyurethane based medical devices (Aortech P/L), this group is well placed to continue the research at a more applied level once the early basic stage is complete.Read moreRead less
Microfluidic device for microbial separation and concentration. This project will enhance Australia's capabilities and presence in the rapidly expanding field of chemical and biological analysis systems on a chip. We will develop and build handheld devices for microbial concentration that will facilitate earlier and easier detection of potentially pathogenic organisms in critical situations such as epidemiological crises or forensics. The portability and ease of operation of our integrated micro ....Microfluidic device for microbial separation and concentration. This project will enhance Australia's capabilities and presence in the rapidly expanding field of chemical and biological analysis systems on a chip. We will develop and build handheld devices for microbial concentration that will facilitate earlier and easier detection of potentially pathogenic organisms in critical situations such as epidemiological crises or forensics. The portability and ease of operation of our integrated microfluidic devices and their increased resilience to blockages make them ideal for use in remote areas and non-laboratory settings. Application areas will include disease detection, microbial contamination in food industries and water quality monitoring.Read moreRead less
Roles for quorum sensing and biofilm formation by Vibrio cholerae in resistance to protozoan grazing. This research will benefit Australia through an increased fundamental understanding of how our model bacterium, Vibrio cholerae, survives in the environment. This could lead to the development of strategies that control bacterial biofilms, a significant medical and industrial concern. This project will also be of benefit through the training of postgraduate students in environmental microbiology ....Roles for quorum sensing and biofilm formation by Vibrio cholerae in resistance to protozoan grazing. This research will benefit Australia through an increased fundamental understanding of how our model bacterium, Vibrio cholerae, survives in the environment. This could lead to the development of strategies that control bacterial biofilms, a significant medical and industrial concern. This project will also be of benefit through the training of postgraduate students in environmental microbiology and is expected to result in the publication and presentation of data in quality journals and conferences, which increases the profile of Australian science.Read moreRead less
Generation of Novel Fermentation Products and their Exploitation in the Synthesis of Biologically Active Organic Compounds with Therapeutic Potential. Collections of new micro-organisms and their metabolites suitable for use in the chemical synthesis programs will emerge from the proposed research. This will provide a potentially highly-valuable national resource that could serve the needs of many laboratories around Australia by allowing them to establish more direct routes to target molecules ....Generation of Novel Fermentation Products and their Exploitation in the Synthesis of Biologically Active Organic Compounds with Therapeutic Potential. Collections of new micro-organisms and their metabolites suitable for use in the chemical synthesis programs will emerge from the proposed research. This will provide a potentially highly-valuable national resource that could serve the needs of many laboratories around Australia by allowing them to establish more direct routes to target molecules being sought in the development of new therapeutic agents and/or materials. The combined application of molecular biological, microbiological and chemical synthesis techniques in a concerted manner in the one location will lead to a raft of new opportunities for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries in Australia. Read moreRead less