Carbon nanotube based electrodes for rapid, dry electro-physiological measurements. Optimised electrical sensors with nanotechnology coatings will be developed for a device that farmers can use to pregnancy test their herd without the need for a vet. This will lead to greater improved management of beef and dairy cattle pregnancies and has been estimated to be worth over $100 million per year to the Australian beef industry.
Evolution, selection and estimation of polygenic epistatic networks in quantitative traits. Traits observed in organisms, such as height, are the result of an individual's genes and how they relate to the environment. But genes do not act alone; they work together in complex interactions. This project aims to understand these interactions and their role in animal production and human disease.
Improving the diagnosis, management and control of chlamydial infections in Australian livestock. Chlamydial diseases, such as arthritis and encephalomyelitis, are associated with significant economic losses for Australian livestock producers. Effective surveillance and management of Chlamydia infections is problematic due to: the absence of epidemiological data; the lack of an accurate and easily interpretable diagnostic test; and the lack of an available vaccine. This project aims to evaluate ....Improving the diagnosis, management and control of chlamydial infections in Australian livestock. Chlamydial diseases, such as arthritis and encephalomyelitis, are associated with significant economic losses for Australian livestock producers. Effective surveillance and management of Chlamydia infections is problematic due to: the absence of epidemiological data; the lack of an accurate and easily interpretable diagnostic test; and the lack of an available vaccine. This project aims to evaluate factors associated with chlamydial disease in Australian livestock and thereby improve on-farm diagnosis. With the concomitant development of a chlamydial vaccine for sheep, this project aims to provide veterinarians and producers with important tools to reduce the on-farm impacts of chlamydial disease.Read moreRead less
The role of epigenetic modifications in bovid adaptation to environmental change. This project will explore the role of epigenetic change, where gene expression is regulated without changing the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence, in how animals adapt to rapid climate change. This project will trace epigenetic markers in ancient bison and cows through 30,000 years of climate change, and identify key adaptive genes for the cattle industry.
Optimisation of a novel hybrid vaccine for liver fluke disease in cattle. Optimisation of a novel hybrid vaccine for liver fluke disease in cattle. This project aims to optimise the formulation of novel fluke vaccine antigens by constructing combination hybrid recombinant antigens and using a protein adjuvant to improve immunogenicity, and test new antigens expressed in young flukes as vaccines and evaluate their ability to synergise with hybrid vaccines. Fasciola (fluke) infections cause seriou ....Optimisation of a novel hybrid vaccine for liver fluke disease in cattle. Optimisation of a novel hybrid vaccine for liver fluke disease in cattle. This project aims to optimise the formulation of novel fluke vaccine antigens by constructing combination hybrid recombinant antigens and using a protein adjuvant to improve immunogenicity, and test new antigens expressed in young flukes as vaccines and evaluate their ability to synergise with hybrid vaccines. Fasciola (fluke) infections cause serious economic losses to livestock production and fluke drug resistance threatens control, so new therapies such as a vaccine are needed. These vaccines should be evaluated in cattle trials. The major outcome plan is validation of hybrid antigens for commercial vaccine development for fluke control in cattle, leading to more sustainable beef and milk production in Australia.Read moreRead less
What role does wildlife play in emergency disease? The case of the feral pig. Wildlife populations have been responsible for many disease emergencies with economic and human health impacts, but our current understanding limits their management. This project focuses on the feral pig, an introduced wildlife species. It will develop an understanding of disease spread in feral pigs and from feral pigs to cattle. Using feral pig disease genetics, climate and environmental data, disease spread models ....What role does wildlife play in emergency disease? The case of the feral pig. Wildlife populations have been responsible for many disease emergencies with economic and human health impacts, but our current understanding limits their management. This project focuses on the feral pig, an introduced wildlife species. It will develop an understanding of disease spread in feral pigs and from feral pigs to cattle. Using feral pig disease genetics, climate and environmental data, disease spread models will be developed. These models will be used to better manage emergency disease outbreaks in feral pigs and other wildlife species. This project will deliver practical outcomes, such as the best method of discovering disease and the most effective methods to control emergency animal diseases in wildlife and domestic animals.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel vaccine targeting parasite tegument proteins for liver fluke disease in livestock. Liver fluke parasites cause serious economic losses for livestock producers in South-East Australia, but drug resistance threatens parasite control and economic productivity in rural communities. This project will use novel technologies to identify lead vaccine candidates for improved fluke control to sustain agricultural productivity.