Biology and evolution of intracellular parasitism. This project will investigate the development of intracellular parasitism in environmental amoebae. The outcomes of this work will help to understand the mechanisms by which bacteria have evolved to survive inside cells and in some cases cause disease.
An interdisciplinary approach to host-pathogen interactions in infection. This project aims to understand the molecular and cellular interactions between host and parasite, as well as providing a quantitative framework for analysing infection dynamics in other systems. Infection involves a complex interaction between the host and the parasite, which is very dynamic and therefore difficult to study by traditional sampling and analysis approaches. This project has combined mathematical modelling w ....An interdisciplinary approach to host-pathogen interactions in infection. This project aims to understand the molecular and cellular interactions between host and parasite, as well as providing a quantitative framework for analysing infection dynamics in other systems. Infection involves a complex interaction between the host and the parasite, which is very dynamic and therefore difficult to study by traditional sampling and analysis approaches. This project has combined mathematical modelling with a novel experimental protocol to allow the study of kinetics of parasite replication in vivo. Expected outcomes will provide significant benefits, such as new avenues for vaccination and immune intervention.Read moreRead less
Bacterial vesicles transport their bioactive cargo to the host nucleus. This project aims to investigate how bacterial membrane vesicles transport their cargo to the nucleus of cells and its impact on host cell functions. Bacteria use membrane vesicles as a means of communication with the host, but the full extent of their effects on host cells has yet to be fully elucidated. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field using cutting-edge imaging and molecular biology approaches. ....Bacterial vesicles transport their bioactive cargo to the host nucleus. This project aims to investigate how bacterial membrane vesicles transport their cargo to the nucleus of cells and its impact on host cell functions. Bacteria use membrane vesicles as a means of communication with the host, but the full extent of their effects on host cells has yet to be fully elucidated. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field using cutting-edge imaging and molecular biology approaches. The work should provide significant benefits, particularly towards the development of membrane vesicles in gene therapy, gene editing and other applications. Read moreRead less
Wolbachia endosymbionts: novel strain dynamics in Australian Drosophila. This project aims to understand Wolbachia infections across Australian Drosophila flies. Wolbachia bacteria that live inside the cells of insects and other invertebrates are widely seen as a promising tool for pest and disease control. This project will assess the population distribution, host phenotypic effects, population dynamics and evolutionary context of multiple Wolbachia infections across Australian Drosophila flies ....Wolbachia endosymbionts: novel strain dynamics in Australian Drosophila. This project aims to understand Wolbachia infections across Australian Drosophila flies. Wolbachia bacteria that live inside the cells of insects and other invertebrates are widely seen as a promising tool for pest and disease control. This project will assess the population distribution, host phenotypic effects, population dynamics and evolutionary context of multiple Wolbachia infections across Australian Drosophila flies. The outcome will include new and novel strains for applied projects, new information on the fate of Wolbachia infections, and new insights into the factors that dictate the fate of Wolbachia infections across populations.Read moreRead less
Future Industries Research - Biotechnology and Nanotechnology: Small talk: Communication networks in microbes. We will use the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility to address the multifaceted mechanisms of microbial interactions and produce new knowledge about the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common cause of death in cystic fibrosis patients. We will characterise the interactions between P. aeruginosa and the emerging fungal pathogen Scedosporium aurantiacum as a proactive step towards be ....Future Industries Research - Biotechnology and Nanotechnology: Small talk: Communication networks in microbes. We will use the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility to address the multifaceted mechanisms of microbial interactions and produce new knowledge about the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common cause of death in cystic fibrosis patients. We will characterise the interactions between P. aeruginosa and the emerging fungal pathogen Scedosporium aurantiacum as a proactive step towards better understanding of pathogen communication. Improved understanding of pathogen interactions should facilitate the development of novel anti-adhesives as therapeutics. Our project will train young scientists in a new integrated approach to biology.Read moreRead less
Activation of invasion in Toxoplasma. Host cell invasion is critical for the establishment and maintenance of infection by the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of Toxoplasmosis. This project will use the latest molecular techniques to understand how invasion is activated and will define a new set of drug targets to treat Toxoplasmosis and related diseases.
The protein O-glycosylation pathway of Neisseria: a model system for O-glycosylation of bacterial proteins with potential use in biotechnology. Proteins can be modified by the addition of sugar molecules. This process, called glycosylation, has been studied for some time in humans and other higher organisms, but is relatively new in the field of bacteria. This study will use the bacterium Neisseria as a model system for this process and work to harness the system for use in biotechnology.
Molecular dissection of malaria parasite motility and host-cell invasion across the lifecycle. Malaria parasites move in a unique way, gliding across cell surfaces and infecting host cells using a unique molecular motor. This research aims to understand the molecular mechanics behind parasite movement and use this to develop novel drugs that might throw a spanner in the parasite motor, blocking movement and thereby preventing malaria disease.
Imaging the generation and recall of protective antiviral immune responses in vivo. Our understanding of the in vivo dynamics of cellular immune responses to infectious diseases is poor. This project will utilise advanced intravital imaging combined with novel tools to dissect the cellular events involved in the generation and recall of T cell responses to localised virus infection, combined with a detailed functional analysis of the lymphoid organ stroma. Such fundamental information will contr ....Imaging the generation and recall of protective antiviral immune responses in vivo. Our understanding of the in vivo dynamics of cellular immune responses to infectious diseases is poor. This project will utilise advanced intravital imaging combined with novel tools to dissect the cellular events involved in the generation and recall of T cell responses to localised virus infection, combined with a detailed functional analysis of the lymphoid organ stroma. Such fundamental information will contribute to the development of new generation vaccines and therapies to protect against tissue-specific infectious diseases, cancers and autoimmune diseases.Read moreRead less
Molecular basis of synergy between PIs and defensins against fungi. The plant defensin nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (NaD1) has potent antifungal activity against agricultural and human pathogens and has potential in the treatment of serious diseases that affect crop production and human health. NaD1 has been found to permeabilise membranes and allows entry of other molecules into the fungal cytoplasm. While screening for molecules that enhance the activity of defensi ....Molecular basis of synergy between PIs and defensins against fungi. The plant defensin nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (NaD1) has potent antifungal activity against agricultural and human pathogens and has potential in the treatment of serious diseases that affect crop production and human health. NaD1 has been found to permeabilise membranes and allows entry of other molecules into the fungal cytoplasm. While screening for molecules that enhance the activity of defensins a number of proteinase inhibitors were identified that act synergistically with NaD1. This project aims to identify the molecular basis of this synergy which is expected to lead to better control of fungal diseases of crops and in humans.Read moreRead less