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.
Understanding the mechanisms of ion conduction and drug action in voltage gated sodium channels. Voltage-gated sodium channels initiate electrical impulses in nerve and muscle and are the target of many local anaesthetic, anti-epileptic and anti-arrythmic drugs. The publication of atomic resolution structures of homologous proteins from bacteria in the last 18 months has now made it possible to gain a detailed understanding of how these channels work, and how they are influenced by drugs. This p ....Understanding the mechanisms of ion conduction and drug action in voltage gated sodium channels. Voltage-gated sodium channels initiate electrical impulses in nerve and muscle and are the target of many local anaesthetic, anti-epileptic and anti-arrythmic drugs. The publication of atomic resolution structures of homologous proteins from bacteria in the last 18 months has now made it possible to gain a detailed understanding of how these channels work, and how they are influenced by drugs. This project aims to determine the basis of ion permeation and selectivity in the channels and explain the mechanisms of action for a number of common drugs. This will provide a foundation for future drug development to target specific channels for improved treatment of epilepsy, chronic pain and arrythmias. Read moreRead less
Virus and host genes and the outcome of infection. Viruses cause infection of all animals including people and the outcome of infection is highly variable. This project aims to use genetics to explain why some animals are more susceptible to particular virus infections and some strains of virus cause more severe diseases. The project will also explore whether all cells are similarly susceptible to killing by viruses.
Epidemics, mortality and longevity in Tasmania, 1838-1930. This project will investigate areas of contemporary importance that can only be explored using historic-demographic data. National benefits include (1) gaining a better understanding of how epidemics spread through families and communities, and possible mortality and case-fatality rates, to assist in preparation for future epidemics; (2) improved accuracy in projecting older-age mortality and population ageing in Australia and other coun ....Epidemics, mortality and longevity in Tasmania, 1838-1930. This project will investigate areas of contemporary importance that can only be explored using historic-demographic data. National benefits include (1) gaining a better understanding of how epidemics spread through families and communities, and possible mortality and case-fatality rates, to assist in preparation for future epidemics; (2) improved accuracy in projecting older-age mortality and population ageing in Australia and other countries; and (3) more precise estimates of women's capacity to naturally conceive and carry to term by characteristics such as her age, her partner's age, and her number of previous births. The project will also result in augmentation of a unique publicly available dataset.Read moreRead less
Mosquito-borne viruses - how they cause disease and novel approaches to prevention. In Australia, Ross River virus (RRV) is the most common insect borne virus that affects human health. There were more than 60,000 confirmed cases of RRV between 1993 and 2008. While not fatal, the disease is responsible for significant morbidity that has both social and economic costs for the individual, their family and the community. This project has several national benefits. It will elucidate whether there is ....Mosquito-borne viruses - how they cause disease and novel approaches to prevention. In Australia, Ross River virus (RRV) is the most common insect borne virus that affects human health. There were more than 60,000 confirmed cases of RRV between 1993 and 2008. While not fatal, the disease is responsible for significant morbidity that has both social and economic costs for the individual, their family and the community. This project has several national benefits. It will elucidate whether there is an association between RRV strain and the severity of disease and if there are human factors that affect the seriousness of symptoms. Knowledge of both of these could provide new avenues for the design of prevention and treatment strategies.Read moreRead less
The natural function and evolution of an essential parasite transporter. This project aims to resolve the natural function and evolution of a transporter essential to the survival of malaria and other parasites. Malaria and its sibling Apicomplexan parasites cause devastating diseases in humans and livestock across the world. Much remains to be understood about these parasites, and options for controlling them are diminishing. The project will interrogate the functions of the transporter protein ....The natural function and evolution of an essential parasite transporter. This project aims to resolve the natural function and evolution of a transporter essential to the survival of malaria and other parasites. Malaria and its sibling Apicomplexan parasites cause devastating diseases in humans and livestock across the world. Much remains to be understood about these parasites, and options for controlling them are diminishing. The project will interrogate the functions of the transporter proteins. The knowledge gained might help to combat Apicomplexan parasites by targeting these transporters’ native functions.Read moreRead less
The origins, global spread and evolution of novel honey bee parasites. This project aims to study how emergent diseases arise, spread and evolve, studying varroa mites – a parasite of honey bees that will inevitably arrive in Australia and is expected to damage agriculture and the environment. As the mites have a well-characterised native range, independent host switches and a well-documented history of spread, they make good models. Mites have evolved after invasion, although without significan ....The origins, global spread and evolution of novel honey bee parasites. This project aims to study how emergent diseases arise, spread and evolve, studying varroa mites – a parasite of honey bees that will inevitably arrive in Australia and is expected to damage agriculture and the environment. As the mites have a well-characterised native range, independent host switches and a well-documented history of spread, they make good models. Mites have evolved after invasion, although without significant genetic differentiation at neutral markers. This project aims to identify genetic mechanisms associated with the host switches; reconstruct the pattern and demography of varroa’s global spread; and determine how selection acted on the mites after the host switch.Read moreRead less
Factors causing wheat stripe rust epidemics. This project aims to tackle wheat stripe rust, one of the most important fungal diseases of wheat in Australia, causing losses of up to $125 million a year. This project expects to gain insights into the fungal evolution and the molecular mechanism that causes hyper-virulent pathogen isolates. The expected outcome is to identify and characterise multiple genetic factors in the pathogen that contribute to wheat stripe rust epidemics in Australia. This ....Factors causing wheat stripe rust epidemics. This project aims to tackle wheat stripe rust, one of the most important fungal diseases of wheat in Australia, causing losses of up to $125 million a year. This project expects to gain insights into the fungal evolution and the molecular mechanism that causes hyper-virulent pathogen isolates. The expected outcome is to identify and characterise multiple genetic factors in the pathogen that contribute to wheat stripe rust epidemics in Australia. This project will contribute to improved disease management strategies to contain wheat stripe rust, resulting in higher wheat yields, reduced application of fungicides and increased revenue for Australian wheat farmers.Read moreRead less
Tracking the evolution of devil facial tumour disease. The evolution of devil facial tumour disease could have disastrous effects on not only the Tasmanian Devil population but also other closely related species. This project will investigate the evolution of the disease in order to determine how new strains of the disease are arising.
Understanding the molecular basis of fungal rust diseases in plants. This project aims to utilise structural biology, biochemistry and molecular biology approaches to substantially deepen our understanding of rust fungi-plant interactions. Fungal rust pathogens cause disease and significant yield losses in our most important food crops. During colonisation, rust fungi utilise secreted effector proteins to cause plant disease. Effectors can also be recognised by plant immunity receptors, leading ....Understanding the molecular basis of fungal rust diseases in plants. This project aims to utilise structural biology, biochemistry and molecular biology approaches to substantially deepen our understanding of rust fungi-plant interactions. Fungal rust pathogens cause disease and significant yield losses in our most important food crops. During colonisation, rust fungi utilise secreted effector proteins to cause plant disease. Effectors can also be recognised by plant immunity receptors, leading to resistance. The intended outcome of this work is to generate knowledge that can be used for the development of disease management and engineering strategies to protect plants from rust fungi. This should provide significant benefits to agricultural productivity and global food security.Read moreRead less