Elucidating structure and function of activation-associated secreted proteins (ASPs) in blood-feeding hookworms – toward new methods of control. The national/community benefits are: (1) to develop a long-term, high quality scientific and technological program contributing to national objectives, including the maintenance of a strong capability in basic research, the development of new scientific concepts and the enhancement of international collaborative links; (2) to strengthen the links betwee ....Elucidating structure and function of activation-associated secreted proteins (ASPs) in blood-feeding hookworms – toward new methods of control. The national/community benefits are: (1) to develop a long-term, high quality scientific and technological program contributing to national objectives, including the maintenance of a strong capability in basic research, the development of new scientific concepts and the enhancement of international collaborative links; (2) to strengthen the links between basic and applied research; (3) to develop excellence in research by promoting collaborative research, resulting in a more efficient use of resources in a national and international context; (4) to enhance the skills-base in biology and biotechnology; (5) to substantially increase global visibility through quality research, leading to an increased investment in Australian science.Read moreRead less
Mitogenomics using a massively parallel reactor platform - from barcoding to diagnostic tools for pathogens of major socioeconomic importance. The national/community benefits are: (1) to develop a long-term, high quality scientific and technological program contributing to national objectives, including the maintenance of a strong capability in basic research, the development of new scientific concepts and the enhancement of international collaborative links; (2) to strengthen the links between ....Mitogenomics using a massively parallel reactor platform - from barcoding to diagnostic tools for pathogens of major socioeconomic importance. The national/community benefits are: (1) to develop a long-term, high quality scientific and technological program contributing to national objectives, including the maintenance of a strong capability in basic research, the development of new scientific concepts and the enhancement of international collaborative links; (2) to strengthen the links between basic and applied research; (3) to develop excellence in research by promoting collaborative research, resulting in a more efficient use of resources in a national and international context; (4) to enhance the skills-base in biology and biotechnology; (5) to substantially increase global visibility through quality research, leading to an increased investment in Australian science.
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Preventing and reversing population declines of northern quolls. This project seeks to develop novel effective strategies to halt and reverse declines in northern quolls by improving their ‘toad-smart’ behaviour. The spread of cane toads threaten northern quolls, which are marsupial predators. We cannot halt the toad invasion, but we can train quolls not to eat cane toads. Trained quolls can survive long term in toad-infested landscapes, and their offspring can learn not to eat toads. This proje ....Preventing and reversing population declines of northern quolls. This project seeks to develop novel effective strategies to halt and reverse declines in northern quolls by improving their ‘toad-smart’ behaviour. The spread of cane toads threaten northern quolls, which are marsupial predators. We cannot halt the toad invasion, but we can train quolls not to eat cane toads. Trained quolls can survive long term in toad-infested landscapes, and their offspring can learn not to eat toads. This project builds on this work by focusing on cultural and genetic transmission of toad-smart behaviour. The project could save numerous quoll populations from extinction.Read moreRead less
Harnessing next-generation technologies to tackle major food-borne parasites and design new interventions. Frontier technologies will be used in this project to unlock the molecular secrets of parasites which cause serious food-borne diseases in animals. The quantum leap made here will lead to radically new ways of treating and controlling such diseases, and provide outstanding international visibility of Australian science and a solid skills/knowledge-base.
Illuminating genomic dark matter to develop new interventions for parasites. This project aims to unravel the molecular basis of parasitism using leading-edge post-genomics approaches. This research expects to explore genomic ‘dark matter’ in the genome to discover how parasites survive and cause disease. The resultant shift in the understanding of molecular mechanisms and processes governing parasitism will lead to new ways of disrupting the intricate parasite-host relationship, which will tran ....Illuminating genomic dark matter to develop new interventions for parasites. This project aims to unravel the molecular basis of parasitism using leading-edge post-genomics approaches. This research expects to explore genomic ‘dark matter’ in the genome to discover how parasites survive and cause disease. The resultant shift in the understanding of molecular mechanisms and processes governing parasitism will lead to new ways of disrupting the intricate parasite-host relationship, which will translate into innovative technologies or products to ameliorate the burden of parasites in livestock animals. Expected socioeconomic benefits include lifting Australia’s scientific knowledge base, reputation in biology and biotechnology, livestock production and investment in translational research.Read moreRead less
Managing microorganisms in Melbourne’s drinking water assets. Safe, fresh drinking water is the most important resource of any country. Melbourne Water Corporation supplies drinking water to more than four million people, and Melbourne is one of the few cities in the world that receives largely unfiltered drinking water from wilderness catchment areas. Built on extensive preliminary collaborative work, the project aims to develop an integrated monitoring and surveillance program, using newly dev ....Managing microorganisms in Melbourne’s drinking water assets. Safe, fresh drinking water is the most important resource of any country. Melbourne Water Corporation supplies drinking water to more than four million people, and Melbourne is one of the few cities in the world that receives largely unfiltered drinking water from wilderness catchment areas. Built on extensive preliminary collaborative work, the project aims to develop an integrated monitoring and surveillance program, using newly developed technologies, to underpin Melbourne Water Corporation’s prevention strategy against key waterborne diseases, including cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis. This project is sharply focused on the National Science and Research Priorities 'Soil and Water', 'Environmental Change' and 'Health'.Read moreRead less
Harnessing the genomics revolution - toward radically new approaches to control neglected parasites of paramount global importance. Frontier technologies will be used to unlock the molecular secrets of neglected parasites causing devastating diseases in animals and humans worldwide. The quantum leap made here will lead to radically new ways of treating and controlling such diseases, outstanding international visibility of Australian science and a solid skills and knowledge-base.
Establishing next-generation technology platforms for the detection and monitoring of microorganisms in Melbourne water catchments. This project will establish a major scientific and technological program in national priority areas to protect drinking water catchments. This industry-linked program will conduct strong applied and basic research. The project will also provide new concepts, a solid skills-base, substantially enhanced global visibility of Australian science and key technological out ....Establishing next-generation technology platforms for the detection and monitoring of microorganisms in Melbourne water catchments. This project will establish a major scientific and technological program in national priority areas to protect drinking water catchments. This industry-linked program will conduct strong applied and basic research. The project will also provide new concepts, a solid skills-base, substantially enhanced global visibility of Australian science and key technological outcomes.Read moreRead less
Evaluation of the EG95 vaccine against hydatid infection in macropodid marsupials. A parasitic infection known as hydatids was introduced into Australia by Europeans and is now causing mortality in Australian wallabies and kangaroos, including amongst endangered species. A vaccine against the disease, that was developed in Australia for use in domestic livestock, is being evaluated to determine if it could be used to prevent hydatids closely monitored populations of endangered macropod marsupia ....Evaluation of the EG95 vaccine against hydatid infection in macropodid marsupials. A parasitic infection known as hydatids was introduced into Australia by Europeans and is now causing mortality in Australian wallabies and kangaroos, including amongst endangered species. A vaccine against the disease, that was developed in Australia for use in domestic livestock, is being evaluated to determine if it could be used to prevent hydatids closely monitored populations of endangered macropod marsupials, such as Petrogale penicillata.Read moreRead less
Natural selection and the Tasmanian devil. This project aims to explain evolution of immune capabilities in response to disease threats in the wild by assessing the immune adaptive capabilities of Tasmanian devils in response to facial tumour disease. It plans to determine how the expression of immune genes differs between wild and captive populations. The project will combine immunology, epidemiology and evolutionary biology, to understand the role of host genetic and phenotypic adaptations to ....Natural selection and the Tasmanian devil. This project aims to explain evolution of immune capabilities in response to disease threats in the wild by assessing the immune adaptive capabilities of Tasmanian devils in response to facial tumour disease. It plans to determine how the expression of immune genes differs between wild and captive populations. The project will combine immunology, epidemiology and evolutionary biology, to understand the role of host genetic and phenotypic adaptations to disease threats. The project will assist in the development of diagnostic tools for managing this and other threatened species and for screening disease resistance markers across wild and captive insurance populations.Read moreRead less