Novel Babesia proteins and their roles in the pathogenesis of tick fever. This project aims at gaining a deep understanding of the biology of Babesia parasites and how they cause tick fever in cattle. The project expects to discover novel parasite proteins involved in the development and persistence of tick fever and identify their functional role in infection. The main expected outcome is the discovery of parasite proteins that are critical for infection and pathogenesis of cattle tick fever. T ....Novel Babesia proteins and their roles in the pathogenesis of tick fever. This project aims at gaining a deep understanding of the biology of Babesia parasites and how they cause tick fever in cattle. The project expects to discover novel parasite proteins involved in the development and persistence of tick fever and identify their functional role in infection. The main expected outcome is the discovery of parasite proteins that are critical for infection and pathogenesis of cattle tick fever. The findings will contribute to the development of future novel vaccines to control tick fever, with significant economic benefits for the beef and dairy industries worldwide.Read moreRead less
Bacterial and host drivers of chlamydial blindness in koalas. Chlamydial infection of the eyes is a significant cause of disease and death in koalas, contributing to the ongoing decline of this native species. Little is known about what influences the outcome of these infections, challenging efforts to manage and control koala chlamydial blindness. This project aims to evaluate whether differences in the infecting Chlamydia pecorum strains or the koala immune response, are associated with the ou ....Bacterial and host drivers of chlamydial blindness in koalas. Chlamydial infection of the eyes is a significant cause of disease and death in koalas, contributing to the ongoing decline of this native species. Little is known about what influences the outcome of these infections, challenging efforts to manage and control koala chlamydial blindness. This project aims to evaluate whether differences in the infecting Chlamydia pecorum strains or the koala immune response, are associated with the outcome of chlamydial ocular infection. In addition to helping us to understand and prevent blindness in koalas, this project should significantly expand our knowledge of the koala immune system and generate an array of koala immunological assays, outcomes that may benefit all koala conservation efforts.Read moreRead less
Phase-variable epigenetic regulators in bacterial veterinary pathogens. This project aims to identify phasevarion regulated genes in the major bacterial swine pathogens Streptococcus suis and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Both species contain randomly switching epigenetic regulators that control expression of multiple genes by epigenetic mechanisms. Identifying phasevarion controlled genes will inform and direct future vaccine development for important livestock species.
Detection of imported exotic strains of West Nile virus for national biosecurity surveillance. West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes a fatal disease of the brain in animals and humans. WNV is currently exotic to this country, however a closely related, but benign cousin of this virus (Kunjin) can be found in Northern Australia. Currently it is very difficult to differentiate between infections with WNV and Kunjin using standard laboratory tests, therefore it will be diff ....Detection of imported exotic strains of West Nile virus for national biosecurity surveillance. West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes a fatal disease of the brain in animals and humans. WNV is currently exotic to this country, however a closely related, but benign cousin of this virus (Kunjin) can be found in Northern Australia. Currently it is very difficult to differentiate between infections with WNV and Kunjin using standard laboratory tests, therefore it will be difficult for public health officials to detect WNV if it is introduced to Australia. In this project we aim to develop more accurate laboratory tests to detect infections with the deadly, exotic WNV using new strategies. Read moreRead less
Structural Characterisation of the Type IX Secretion System. The Type IX Secretion System present in diverse bacteria of veterinary, agricultural, environmental and industrial importance enables effector proteins to be secreted and attached to the cell surface where they contribute to disease pathogenesis or degrade biopolymers of commercial interest. This project aims to determine the structure and assembly mechanism of this complex secretion nanomachine comprising 15 different proteins using s ....Structural Characterisation of the Type IX Secretion System. The Type IX Secretion System present in diverse bacteria of veterinary, agricultural, environmental and industrial importance enables effector proteins to be secreted and attached to the cell surface where they contribute to disease pathogenesis or degrade biopolymers of commercial interest. This project aims to determine the structure and assembly mechanism of this complex secretion nanomachine comprising 15 different proteins using state of the art microscopy. Knowledge of the structure will greatly enhance our understanding of secretion mechanisms and our ability to both inhibit the system to treat disease in animals or manipulate the system for industrial applications providing future economic and environmental benefits to our nation.Read moreRead less
Improved biosecurity through the engineering of microbial ecosystems. This project aims to provide data and understanding that will help develop predictive models for changes in the distribution of drug-resistant bacteria, and surveillance and response programs for key biosecurity threats. Microorganisms, including commensals and pathogens, can live in complex communities in a range of environments including animal hosts. It is now known that these communities (known as microbiomes) can exert a ....Improved biosecurity through the engineering of microbial ecosystems. This project aims to provide data and understanding that will help develop predictive models for changes in the distribution of drug-resistant bacteria, and surveillance and response programs for key biosecurity threats. Microorganisms, including commensals and pathogens, can live in complex communities in a range of environments including animal hosts. It is now known that these communities (known as microbiomes) can exert a profound effect on animal health. This project seeks to understand where antimicrobial resistance genes reside in pig gut microbiotia and how they move between members of this complex microbial community, and to provide information on how probiotics may be used to reduce dependence on antibiotics.Read moreRead less
Understanding the role of a newly recognised retrovirus in the induction of cancer and immunosuppressive disease in koalas. Leukaemia, lymphoma and opportunistic infections are major causes of mortality in both captive and wild koala populations. It is our hypothesis that a recently discovered retrovirus is responsible for these disease syndromes. Using a multidisciplinary approach, this project will determine viral parameters that correlate with the disease status of koalas and lead to improvem ....Understanding the role of a newly recognised retrovirus in the induction of cancer and immunosuppressive disease in koalas. Leukaemia, lymphoma and opportunistic infections are major causes of mortality in both captive and wild koala populations. It is our hypothesis that a recently discovered retrovirus is responsible for these disease syndromes. Using a multidisciplinary approach, this project will determine viral parameters that correlate with the disease status of koalas and lead to improvements in diagnosis and management of disease in koala populations. The planned research will also provide some insight into cross-species transmission of retroviruses.Read moreRead less
Unravelling small RNA regulatory networks to target and control bacteria. Small RNA (sRNA) molecules are critical regulators of bacterial gene expression. These molecules control important phenotypes in the Gram-negative veterinary pathogen Pasteurella multocida. This project aims to identify the range of P. multocida sRNAs and to show how expression of these molecules changes under various growth conditions. Specifically, this project endeavours: to identify the mRNA targets of the sRNAs; to id ....Unravelling small RNA regulatory networks to target and control bacteria. Small RNA (sRNA) molecules are critical regulators of bacterial gene expression. These molecules control important phenotypes in the Gram-negative veterinary pathogen Pasteurella multocida. This project aims to identify the range of P. multocida sRNAs and to show how expression of these molecules changes under various growth conditions. Specifically, this project endeavours: to identify the mRNA targets of the sRNAs; to identify the mechanisms of sRNA-mRNA interaction; to build systems-biology models that describe the sRNA regulatory circuits; to design inhibitors capable of disrupting critical sRNA-mRNA interactions; and to use the new inhibitors to modulate specific phenotypes. The ability to precisely manipulate sRNA regulatory circuits could allow fine control of bacterial phenotypes and could be widely applicable.Read moreRead less
Genetics and evolution of Shigella O antigens. We use genome scale sequencing techniques to sequence 26 O-antigen gene clusters from Shigella. With the seven already known, this will give sequences for every O-antigen of Shigella. This will be the first time that such set is fully sequenced. Shigella are human specific pathogens, have emerged with the evolution of humans. O-antigens are important for their life and pathogenicity. This project will greatly extend our knowledge of the genetic basi ....Genetics and evolution of Shigella O antigens. We use genome scale sequencing techniques to sequence 26 O-antigen gene clusters from Shigella. With the seven already known, this will give sequences for every O-antigen of Shigella. This will be the first time that such set is fully sequenced. Shigella are human specific pathogens, have emerged with the evolution of humans. O-antigens are important for their life and pathogenicity. This project will greatly extend our knowledge of the genetic basis and evolution of this important polymorphism. O-antigens are used for typing Shigella and also elicit strong immunity. The molecular data will help establish DNA based typing and vaccine development.Read moreRead less
Recombinant probiotics for prevention of enteric infections in piglets. Shigatoxigenic and enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli cause severe diarrhoeal disease and oedema disease in piglets. The resultant morbidity and mortality is a major cause of financial loss to the pig industry both in Australia and overseas. We have conceived a highly novel approach to prevention of these diseases involving molecular mimicry of host receptors for the E. coli toxins and adhesins on the surface of a ....Recombinant probiotics for prevention of enteric infections in piglets. Shigatoxigenic and enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli cause severe diarrhoeal disease and oedema disease in piglets. The resultant morbidity and mortality is a major cause of financial loss to the pig industry both in Australia and overseas. We have conceived a highly novel approach to prevention of these diseases involving molecular mimicry of host receptors for the E. coli toxins and adhesins on the surface of a harmless bacterium. Oral administration of this agent to piglets has the potential to bind free toxins in the gut and prevent colonization of the intestines by the pathogens, thereby preventing disease.Read moreRead less