Biotechnology applications in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry: Pharmacological manipulation of ovarian function in domestic animals. The purpose of this research is to develop a humane, simple, safe, effective means of sterilizing female domestic animals without the need for surgical intervention. This novel experimental strategy is to target the supply of dormant eggs in the ovaries of female mammals. Every female mammal is born with a finite supply of eggs in the ovarian cortex. These c ....Biotechnology applications in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry: Pharmacological manipulation of ovarian function in domestic animals. The purpose of this research is to develop a humane, simple, safe, effective means of sterilizing female domestic animals without the need for surgical intervention. This novel experimental strategy is to target the supply of dormant eggs in the ovaries of female mammals. Every female mammal is born with a finite supply of eggs in the ovarian cortex. These cells cannot divide and so when this store is exhausted, reproduction ceases. Our strategy is to develop pharmaceutical reagents that will destroy this dormant egg population, thereby rendering the animals instantaneously and irreversibly infertile.Read moreRead less
An integrated genomics approach to improve our understanding of the biology of genital campylobacteriosis in beef cattle. Beef is Australia's most valuable agricultural export estimated at $9.6B annually and this industry accounts for one-third of full time employment in regional communities. Currently, unknown causes of reproductive losses in cattle in Northern Australian cost producers approximately $15M per annum. Bovine genital campylobacteriosis is one of the major risk factors associated w ....An integrated genomics approach to improve our understanding of the biology of genital campylobacteriosis in beef cattle. Beef is Australia's most valuable agricultural export estimated at $9.6B annually and this industry accounts for one-third of full time employment in regional communities. Currently, unknown causes of reproductive losses in cattle in Northern Australian cost producers approximately $15M per annum. Bovine genital campylobacteriosis is one of the major risk factors associated with this high cost due to the inability to accurately diagnose the disease. This research will integrate genomics and bioinformatics with infection and vaccination models to improve our understanding of the biology of the disease to develop appropriate control strategies securing Australia's beef industry.Read moreRead less
Molecular basis of attenuation in live Mycoplasma vaccines. This proposal aims to use an innovative approach to address an urgent issue raised by the end users of an Australian-owned poultry vaccine with an extensive global market. Recently multiple mutations have been detected in the vaccine re-isolated from vaccinated birds in the field around the world. We will apply a combination of a novel technique for targeted mutagenesis, genome sequencing, and animal experimentations, to address the sig ....Molecular basis of attenuation in live Mycoplasma vaccines. This proposal aims to use an innovative approach to address an urgent issue raised by the end users of an Australian-owned poultry vaccine with an extensive global market. Recently multiple mutations have been detected in the vaccine re-isolated from vaccinated birds in the field around the world. We will apply a combination of a novel technique for targeted mutagenesis, genome sequencing, and animal experimentations, to address the significance of these mutations. Results will improve our understanding of the basis of attenuation of the vaccine, its mechanism of action, and provide commercial confidence in the safety of the vaccine, which is needed to support Australian Universities and Businesses, and the global poultry industry.Read moreRead less
Developing feasible in situ control of mange disease in wombats. Our goal is the development of feasible in situ control of sarcoptic mange in wombat populations. Globally important, the Sarcoptes scabiei mite infects >100 mammal species and is among the 50 most common human diseases, causing health, welfare and population impacts. This infection is treatable, and we will test a new treatment (fluralaner), develop new models to guide management, and conduct replicated field trials. This will ena ....Developing feasible in situ control of mange disease in wombats. Our goal is the development of feasible in situ control of sarcoptic mange in wombat populations. Globally important, the Sarcoptes scabiei mite infects >100 mammal species and is among the 50 most common human diseases, causing health, welfare and population impacts. This infection is treatable, and we will test a new treatment (fluralaner), develop new models to guide management, and conduct replicated field trials. This will enable science-based guidelines, advancing disease control, local eradication, and regulatory approval for wombats. Our research framework is adaptable to other mange-impacted species, and advance methods and theory for control of treatable disease in wildlife.Read moreRead less
Treating Equine Laminitis. This project aims to explore the causes of equine laminitis, and to work with a newly-established Australian biopharma company to develop the world's first anti-laminitis medication. Equine laminitis is a painful, crippling disease of the foot, often necessitating euthanasia, and is the second-most common cause of death in domestic horses. In 2007, a landmark study identified insulin toxicity as a primary cause of laminitis, and subsequent research has identified over- ....Treating Equine Laminitis. This project aims to explore the causes of equine laminitis, and to work with a newly-established Australian biopharma company to develop the world's first anti-laminitis medication. Equine laminitis is a painful, crippling disease of the foot, often necessitating euthanasia, and is the second-most common cause of death in domestic horses. In 2007, a landmark study identified insulin toxicity as a primary cause of laminitis, and subsequent research has identified over-stimulation of the IGF-1 receptor as the most likely mechanism. This project aims to prove that mechanism and to develop an effective treatment.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100390
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Characterisation of collagenous lectins and their roles in ovine infectious diseases. Specific proteins involved in immunity against infections will be studied in sheep to enhance their immune response against specific infections, such as ovine Johne's disease and footrot. This may lead to selective breeding of sheep that are more resistant to disease, minimising production losses and use of medications.
Characterisation of insulin-independent glucose uptake mediated by guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) coupled receptors. This project will provide first class postdoctoral training for Dr Sato in the laboratory of A/Prof Bengtsson one of the pioneers in the field of cell metabolism. He will learn new approaches to the study of cell signalling including the use of ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) technologies and of a series of functionally altered mutants of phosphatidylinosito ....Characterisation of insulin-independent glucose uptake mediated by guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) coupled receptors. This project will provide first class postdoctoral training for Dr Sato in the laboratory of A/Prof Bengtsson one of the pioneers in the field of cell metabolism. He will learn new approaches to the study of cell signalling including the use of ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) technologies and of a series of functionally altered mutants of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase that he will bring back to Monash University. A better understanding of the cell signalling mechanisms involved in glucose transport will be of enormous benefit in developing new approaches to the treatment of diseases such as type II diabetes.Read moreRead less
Improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment options for equine PPID. Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) is a common, chronic and potentially life-threatening disease of older horses and ponies. Although a treatment is available, the disease is poorly understood and there are some concerns that the current diagnostic technology is not delivering accurate results. Thus, this project aims to develop a more accurate diagnostic test for PPID, while exploring the relationship between ....Improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment options for equine PPID. Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) is a common, chronic and potentially life-threatening disease of older horses and ponies. Although a treatment is available, the disease is poorly understood and there are some concerns that the current diagnostic technology is not delivering accurate results. Thus, this project aims to develop a more accurate diagnostic test for PPID, while exploring the relationship between PPID and metabolic syndrome, to generate new insights into the cause and consequences of both diseases. As an added benefit, the project will assist horseracing laboratories to improve their detection methods for peptide doping in younger competition horses.
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Determining the impact of protozoan pathogens and strongyle worms on prime lamb production. This research will benefit wool and prime lamb industries nation-wide as sheep scouring is prevalent in high-rainfall areas across Australia. Data generated from the project will be used to educate farmers and reduce the financial burden of sheep scouring. This project will also enhance Australia's reputation in the disease management sector and will result in reduced risk to public health due to a better ....Determining the impact of protozoan pathogens and strongyle worms on prime lamb production. This research will benefit wool and prime lamb industries nation-wide as sheep scouring is prevalent in high-rainfall areas across Australia. Data generated from the project will be used to educate farmers and reduce the financial burden of sheep scouring. This project will also enhance Australia's reputation in the disease management sector and will result in reduced risk to public health due to a better understanding and management of zoonotic parasite and microbacterial contamination of carcasses and water catchments.Read moreRead less
Immunonutrition: A novel concept to overcome gastrointestinal tract mucosal damage after weaning in pigs. A sustainable Australian pork industry relies on further reductions in costs whilst considering the enhanced health and welfare of pigs. This project will lead to more precise estimates of amino acid requirements in the post-weaning period, which will contribute to an increased efficiency of nutrient utilization and enhance the welfare of pigs recovering from the weaning process.