Development of symbiont based approaches to pest and disease control in sugarcane. This project aims to develop a new approach to the control of insect damage to sugarcane in Australia. It focuses on the manipulation of bacteria that are intimately associated with insects that feed on sugarcane, so as to decrease their ability to cause crop damage both directly through feeding and indirectly through the transmission of disease
Rapid functional and taxonomic skin microbe characterisation. Rapid functional and taxonomic skin microbe characterisation. This project aims to develop methods to detect and characterise bioactive molecules released by skin microbes, and a novel microspectroscopy method for rapid taxonomic identification. This project will acquire independent spectra and develop classification algorithms, and participate in strategic planning for applications and product development. The expected outcomes from ....Rapid functional and taxonomic skin microbe characterisation. Rapid functional and taxonomic skin microbe characterisation. This project aims to develop methods to detect and characterise bioactive molecules released by skin microbes, and a novel microspectroscopy method for rapid taxonomic identification. This project will acquire independent spectra and develop classification algorithms, and participate in strategic planning for applications and product development. The expected outcomes from this project are research tools for skin microbiome modulation of immunity, and proof-of-concept data for future commercial product development. Potential commercial applications include microbial characterisation for biosecurity, agriculture, environmental and soil biology.Read moreRead less
Defining domains within Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae surface proteins that interact with host extracellular matrix: efficacy testing of candidate vaccines in swine. Over 90% of Australian commercial pig production facilities are affected by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, the causative agent of swine enzootic pneumonia. This disease causes economic losses in Australia of over $20 million per annum and up to $1 billion per annum in major swine rearing countries worldwide. This project will determine the p ....Defining domains within Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae surface proteins that interact with host extracellular matrix: efficacy testing of candidate vaccines in swine. Over 90% of Australian commercial pig production facilities are affected by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, the causative agent of swine enzootic pneumonia. This disease causes economic losses in Australia of over $20 million per annum and up to $1 billion per annum in major swine rearing countries worldwide. This project will determine the protective efficacy of new generation vaccines against M. hyopneumoniae, which aim to block the colonisation process and prevent disease .Read moreRead less
Autotransporter proteins of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7. Escherichi (E.) coli O157:H7 has caused hundreds of outbreaks in the United States and United Kingdom. Although not currently a major problem in Australia, the emergence of E. coli O157:H7 here would have serious implications for our meat and livestock industry. This study will provide important information for the selection of vaccine antigens used to prevent the colonisation of cattle with E. coli O157:H7 and other diarrho ....Autotransporter proteins of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7. Escherichi (E.) coli O157:H7 has caused hundreds of outbreaks in the United States and United Kingdom. Although not currently a major problem in Australia, the emergence of E. coli O157:H7 here would have serious implications for our meat and livestock industry. This study will provide important information for the selection of vaccine antigens used to prevent the colonisation of cattle with E. coli O157:H7 and other diarrhoeagenic E. coli serotypes. A direct outcome of this will be improved human health, as E. coli O157:H7 can cause life threatening infections in humans. The study will also examine the contribution of specific adhesins to biofilm formation; measures to prevent biofilm formation may reduce the persistence and spread of E. coli O157:H7 in the environment.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354702
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Australian Microbial Resources Research Network. The Australian Microbial Resources Research Network will provide integrated access to Australian collections of microorganisms and electronic access to bioinformation databases to meet national strategic needs for microbiological resources and to support the competitive development of the life sciences and biotechnology industries in Australia. The network will promote collaborative interactions and accelerate the discovery of Australian microorg ....Australian Microbial Resources Research Network. The Australian Microbial Resources Research Network will provide integrated access to Australian collections of microorganisms and electronic access to bioinformation databases to meet national strategic needs for microbiological resources and to support the competitive development of the life sciences and biotechnology industries in Australia. The network will promote collaborative interactions and accelerate the discovery of Australian microorganisms and microbial genomic information for innovative biotechnology and create new opportunities for bioindustries. The Network will link researchers and foster the discovery and exploitation of Australian microbial resources and make these resources and associated information available for applications in research, industry and education.Read moreRead less
Mapping cell wall and surface structures of Gram-positive cocci. The synthesis of the Gram-positive cell wall and protein transport are fundamental processes, the improved understanding of which will impact across a range of fields including microbiology, biochemistry and biotechnology, and the application and manipulation of Gram-positive bacteria in agriculture, industry and human health. In the long-term, the analysis of the Gram-positive ExPortal and cell wall will identify proteins that ma ....Mapping cell wall and surface structures of Gram-positive cocci. The synthesis of the Gram-positive cell wall and protein transport are fundamental processes, the improved understanding of which will impact across a range of fields including microbiology, biochemistry and biotechnology, and the application and manipulation of Gram-positive bacteria in agriculture, industry and human health. In the long-term, the analysis of the Gram-positive ExPortal and cell wall will identify proteins that may represent targets for therapeutic intervention. Additionally a precise understanding of the mechanisms of secretion of anchorless proteins will have an important impact in the biotechnology field, as new methodologies for the secretion of recombinant proteins of industrial value is a potential outcome.Read moreRead less
Metagenomics and the genetic basis of ecology and evolution of communities - complex microbial communities in industrial processes as excellent paradigms. Benefits accrue on two fronts: the international reputation of Australian science in contributing significantly to two new, challenging and highly topical questions in ecology and evolution, and in pioneering a route to better efficiency and control of an important industrial process. Wastewater is rich in organic phosphorus that is damaging t ....Metagenomics and the genetic basis of ecology and evolution of communities - complex microbial communities in industrial processes as excellent paradigms. Benefits accrue on two fronts: the international reputation of Australian science in contributing significantly to two new, challenging and highly topical questions in ecology and evolution, and in pioneering a route to better efficiency and control of an important industrial process. Wastewater is rich in organic phosphorus that is damaging to the environment if untreated, but current understanding enables only rudimentary control of the microbial communities that are the basis of the treatment process. The work will provide unprecedented insight into the mechanisms underpinning the dynamics of phosphorus absorbing microbes in industrial facilities by integrating from gene-to-ecosystem.Read moreRead less
Detection and viability of waterborne pathogens using a gut-on-chip. This project aims to resolve a significant problem for water utilities. Microbial pathogens Cryptosporidium, norovirus and adenovirus are the main public health concern for drinking water in developed nations. Water monitoring is limited by the lack of fast, reliable detection methods and viability assays for these pathogens. This project will use a novel gut-on-a-chip to develop for the first time rapid infectivity assays for ....Detection and viability of waterborne pathogens using a gut-on-chip. This project aims to resolve a significant problem for water utilities. Microbial pathogens Cryptosporidium, norovirus and adenovirus are the main public health concern for drinking water in developed nations. Water monitoring is limited by the lack of fast, reliable detection methods and viability assays for these pathogens. This project will use a novel gut-on-a-chip to develop for the first time rapid infectivity assays for Cryptosporidium, norovirus and adenovirus. Significant benefits include improved diagnostics and water disinfection assays, improved water treatment and reduced costs with global impact.Read moreRead less
Sulfur cycling in soil environments - how bacteria contribute to the oxidation of organic and inorganic sulfur compounds. Element cycling in soil environments is of global significance as soils constantly exchange compounds with the atmosphere and cover vast areas of land. Many of the compounds exchanged are known contributors to the greenhouse effect and other phenomena such as acid rain. By elucidating the regulation of bacterial sulfur oxidation pathways and their integration into general met ....Sulfur cycling in soil environments - how bacteria contribute to the oxidation of organic and inorganic sulfur compounds. Element cycling in soil environments is of global significance as soils constantly exchange compounds with the atmosphere and cover vast areas of land. Many of the compounds exchanged are known contributors to the greenhouse effect and other phenomena such as acid rain. By elucidating the regulation of bacterial sulfur oxidation pathways and their integration into general metabolism, we will enable the development of better management strategies for agricultural soils. Our data will also significantly improve understanding of how soil processes will change in response to changing climatic conditions.Read moreRead less
How bacteria form resistant aggregates and biofilms. This research aims to use interdisciplinary approaches to advance fundamental knowledge on bacterial aggregates and biofilms. These bacterial clusters are a significant problem as they have extraordinary resistance to disinfectants and antibiotics, and currently no effective methods are available to disrupt them. The expected outcomes of this project are to dissect how autotransporters, the most common group of bacterial cell-surface proteins, ....How bacteria form resistant aggregates and biofilms. This research aims to use interdisciplinary approaches to advance fundamental knowledge on bacterial aggregates and biofilms. These bacterial clusters are a significant problem as they have extraordinary resistance to disinfectants and antibiotics, and currently no effective methods are available to disrupt them. The expected outcomes of this project are to dissect how autotransporters, the most common group of bacterial cell-surface proteins, promote aggregation and biofilm formation, and to develop inhibitors that prevent the formation of these damaging bacterial clusters. Ultimately, this new knowledge will help address the increasing economic and social burden of industrial, environmental and biomedical biofilms.Read moreRead less