Functional analysis of Bacillus thuringiensis crystal toxins. Pore-forming toxins, such as anthrax, hemolysin, cholera and diphtheria toxins, are among the most virulent microbial toxins, posing a threat to humans and lifestock. We are using a novel functional approach to test possible lectin and antimicrobial peptide functions of a typical and economically important pore-forming toxin, the crystal endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis, to examine why toxicity of the lectin-containing toxin is ....Functional analysis of Bacillus thuringiensis crystal toxins. Pore-forming toxins, such as anthrax, hemolysin, cholera and diphtheria toxins, are among the most virulent microbial toxins, posing a threat to humans and lifestock. We are using a novel functional approach to test possible lectin and antimicrobial peptide functions of a typical and economically important pore-forming toxin, the crystal endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis, to examine why toxicity of the lectin-containing toxin is restricted to invertebrates only, while the amphipathic peptide alone is also toxic to many vertebrate cells. The outcome of these experiments has important implications for the sustainable use of biopesticides and for the prevention and containment of infectious diseases.Read moreRead less
Improving Insect-based Technology for Minimum Death Time Estimates in Forensic Investigations in Australia. This research will provide more accurate, narrower death time estimates for Australia. Focusing enquiries more accurately around the death time will result in significant financial savings in homicide investigations. Court evidence based on insects will become more robust, thus improving prosecution success. Partnerships will also be enhanced between laboratories with common aims, but di ....Improving Insect-based Technology for Minimum Death Time Estimates in Forensic Investigations in Australia. This research will provide more accurate, narrower death time estimates for Australia. Focusing enquiries more accurately around the death time will result in significant financial savings in homicide investigations. Court evidence based on insects will become more robust, thus improving prosecution success. Partnerships will also be enhanced between laboratories with common aims, but different experience and expertise, thereby avoiding research duplication and producing synergistic effects of collaboration. Casework methodology in Australia will become better aligned, thus avoiding courtroom conflicts between practitioners. Finally, high quality graduate students will be trained in entomological and forensic sciences.Read moreRead less
Comparative phylogeography of mound springs-invertebrates: identifying genetically divergent populations for conservation and management. The mound springs of the Great Artesian Basin represent one of Australia's most unique and significant environments and are of national biodiversity, cultural and economic significance. The conservation of these unique environments is a national issue following their listing as a threatened ecological community. As economic productivity in the GAB intensifies, ....Comparative phylogeography of mound springs-invertebrates: identifying genetically divergent populations for conservation and management. The mound springs of the Great Artesian Basin represent one of Australia's most unique and significant environments and are of national biodiversity, cultural and economic significance. The conservation of these unique environments is a national issue following their listing as a threatened ecological community. As economic productivity in the GAB intensifies, the mound springs are under increasing threat from escalating groundwater use. The results of this study of genetic diversity in the spring communities will provide a means for the management groups to incorporate a significant biological information into their decision making and help facilitate the conservation of mound springs communities in the Lake Eyre regionRead moreRead less
Systematics and coevolution of insect herbivores on casuarinas: testing phylogenetic congruence for selection of plant biocontrol agents. The casuarinas (sheoaks) are a significant component of the Australian floral landscape. Associated with them are many co-evolved insects, some of which may prove useful as biocontrol agents against Casuarina weeds. Using morphological taxonomy combined with a novel molecular approach, we will compare the co-evolution of psyllids, scale and gall insects, and w ....Systematics and coevolution of insect herbivores on casuarinas: testing phylogenetic congruence for selection of plant biocontrol agents. The casuarinas (sheoaks) are a significant component of the Australian floral landscape. Associated with them are many co-evolved insects, some of which may prove useful as biocontrol agents against Casuarina weeds. Using morphological taxonomy combined with a novel molecular approach, we will compare the co-evolution of psyllids, scale and gall insects, and weevils with that of the casuarinas. This project will have significant implications for conservation and regeneration of casuarinas in the Australian context and the selection of specific biocontrol agents against casuarinas as environmental weeds.Read moreRead less
Psyllids as biosecurity threats to plantation and native eucalypts in Australia and internationally. Psyllids are tiny cicada-like insects that are economic pests of forestry and horticulture because the saliva injected when feeding causes leaf death and some vector plant diseases. Advanced technologies and procedures will be used to determine what makes plants susceptible to psyllids and to improve Australian preparedness ahead of an incursion.
Potential of gene drives to eliminate incursions of Drosophila suzukii. This project aims to test the efficacy and evolutionary stability of different types of gene drives, and model whether gene drives can be used to eliminate incursions of Drosophila suzukii into Australia. It is now possible to use genome editing technology to alter populations of organisms using ‘gene drives’. Multiple strategies have been conceived with a major distinction between those that aim to eliminate populations ver ....Potential of gene drives to eliminate incursions of Drosophila suzukii. This project aims to test the efficacy and evolutionary stability of different types of gene drives, and model whether gene drives can be used to eliminate incursions of Drosophila suzukii into Australia. It is now possible to use genome editing technology to alter populations of organisms using ‘gene drives’. Multiple strategies have been conceived with a major distinction between those that aim to eliminate populations versus those that aim to modify populations. This project will examine these strategies in two fly species, the model, Drosophila melanogaster and the devastating pest of horticulture, Drosophila suzukii. The project expects to assess a gene drive strategy to control the invasive pest that threatens the Australian soft-skinned fruit industries.Read moreRead less