Phylogeography, evolution and taxonomy of humanity's greatest pest, Rattus rattus: Epidemiological, archaeological and conservation implications. This project will characterise a major threat to Australian biosecurity and health, and identify the range of likely disease risks associated with introductions of different 'strains' of black rat. It will provide critical data for management efforts around the world, especially for strategic partners in neighbouring Southeast Asian nations, as well as ....Phylogeography, evolution and taxonomy of humanity's greatest pest, Rattus rattus: Epidemiological, archaeological and conservation implications. This project will characterise a major threat to Australian biosecurity and health, and identify the range of likely disease risks associated with introductions of different 'strains' of black rat. It will provide critical data for management efforts around the world, especially for strategic partners in neighbouring Southeast Asian nations, as well as for conservation efforts within Australia. The data will also provide novel means to track the timing and routes of human prehistoric movements throughout the area. It will establish strategic research collaborations between researchers in zoological, medical, epidemiological, genetics, and conservation fields in a unique multi-disciplinary study.Read moreRead less
Peptidic spider toxins: a novel paradigm for control of insect pests. Many insects are serious pests of Australian crops, livestock, and pets. Australian farmers spend about $300 million per annum on insecticides and acaricides, while Australian consumers spend more than $100 million annually on insecticides for use around the home and garden, and on pets. Viruses disseminated by insects are also responsible for diseases such as dengue, Japanese encephalitis, and Ross River fever. Unfortunately, ....Peptidic spider toxins: a novel paradigm for control of insect pests. Many insects are serious pests of Australian crops, livestock, and pets. Australian farmers spend about $300 million per annum on insecticides and acaricides, while Australian consumers spend more than $100 million annually on insecticides for use around the home and garden, and on pets. Viruses disseminated by insects are also responsible for diseases such as dengue, Japanese encephalitis, and Ross River fever. Unfortunately, many of these insect pests have developed resistance to chemical insecticides. The aim of this research program is to develop a new generation of environmentally-friendly natural products and insect-resistant crops that can be used to control insect pests on farms and around the home and garden.Read moreRead less
Orally active spider toxins: a novel paradigm for control of insect pests. Many insects and other arthropods are serious pests of Australian crops, livestock, and pets. Australian farmers spend about $300 million per annum on insecticides and acaricides, while Australian consumers spend more than $100 million annually on insecticides for use around the home and garden, and on pets. Viruses disseminated by arthropods are also responsible for diseases such as dengue, Japanese encephalitis, and Ros ....Orally active spider toxins: a novel paradigm for control of insect pests. Many insects and other arthropods are serious pests of Australian crops, livestock, and pets. Australian farmers spend about $300 million per annum on insecticides and acaricides, while Australian consumers spend more than $100 million annually on insecticides for use around the home and garden, and on pets. Viruses disseminated by arthropods are also responsible for diseases such as dengue, Japanese encephalitis, and Ross River fever. Unfortunately, many of these arthropod pests have developed resistance to chemical insecticides. This aim of this research program is to develop a new generation of environmentally-friendly natural products that can be used to control arthropod pests on pets, farms, and around the home and garden.Read moreRead less
Safeguarding Australia against invasive arthropod pests. An increasingly serious public health issue for Australia is the emergence of infectious diseases disseminated by arthropods such as ticks and mosquitoes. Arthropod-borne viruses are already the major human pathogens in Australia, and they disproportionately affect Aboriginal communities. The aim of this research is to develop environmentally-sustainable methods for controlling arthropods that destroy crops or disseminate human and animal ....Safeguarding Australia against invasive arthropod pests. An increasingly serious public health issue for Australia is the emergence of infectious diseases disseminated by arthropods such as ticks and mosquitoes. Arthropod-borne viruses are already the major human pathogens in Australia, and they disproportionately affect Aboriginal communities. The aim of this research is to develop environmentally-sustainable methods for controlling arthropods that destroy crops or disseminate human and animal disease. These insecticides will not only provide benefits within Australian territories, but will be useful to our defence forces when operating in overseas locations where arthropod pests are a problem (e.g., malarial regions of Iraq).Read moreRead less