Alphaherpesvirus recombination: safety implications for attenuated Herpesvirus vaccines. Under certain conditions some herpesviruses, including mild vaccine strains, can recombine to generate virulent viruses. Following findings that this occurred naturally between Australian poultry vaccines, with devastating results, this project will study natural herpesvirus recombination with the aim of allowing vaccines to be used more safely.
Treating Equine Laminitis. This project aims to explore the causes of equine laminitis, and to work with a newly-established Australian biopharma company to develop the world's first anti-laminitis medication. Equine laminitis is a painful, crippling disease of the foot, often necessitating euthanasia, and is the second-most common cause of death in domestic horses. In 2007, a landmark study identified insulin toxicity as a primary cause of laminitis, and subsequent research has identified over- ....Treating Equine Laminitis. This project aims to explore the causes of equine laminitis, and to work with a newly-established Australian biopharma company to develop the world's first anti-laminitis medication. Equine laminitis is a painful, crippling disease of the foot, often necessitating euthanasia, and is the second-most common cause of death in domestic horses. In 2007, a landmark study identified insulin toxicity as a primary cause of laminitis, and subsequent research has identified over-stimulation of the IGF-1 receptor as the most likely mechanism. This project aims to prove that mechanism and to develop an effective treatment.Read moreRead less
Improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment options for equine PPID. Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) is a common, chronic and potentially life-threatening disease of older horses and ponies. Although a treatment is available, the disease is poorly understood and there are some concerns that the current diagnostic technology is not delivering accurate results. Thus, this project aims to develop a more accurate diagnostic test for PPID, while exploring the relationship between ....Improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment options for equine PPID. Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) is a common, chronic and potentially life-threatening disease of older horses and ponies. Although a treatment is available, the disease is poorly understood and there are some concerns that the current diagnostic technology is not delivering accurate results. Thus, this project aims to develop a more accurate diagnostic test for PPID, while exploring the relationship between PPID and metabolic syndrome, to generate new insights into the cause and consequences of both diseases. As an added benefit, the project will assist horseracing laboratories to improve their detection methods for peptide doping in younger competition horses.
Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100026
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$230,000.00
Summary
VetCompass: Big Data and Real-time Surveillance for Veterinary Science. VetCompass: big data and real-time surveillance for veterinary science:
The VetCompass data service intends to collect real-time records from veterinary clinics and aggregate them for researchers to interrogate. It aims to provide Australian researchers with sustainable and cost-effective access to authoritative data from hundreds of practitioners in Australia and the United Kingdom. These data will be essential for researc ....VetCompass: Big Data and Real-time Surveillance for Veterinary Science. VetCompass: big data and real-time surveillance for veterinary science:
The VetCompass data service intends to collect real-time records from veterinary clinics and aggregate them for researchers to interrogate. It aims to provide Australian researchers with sustainable and cost-effective access to authoritative data from hundreds of practitioners in Australia and the United Kingdom. These data will be essential for research on disease distribution and determinants, and surveillance and diagnostics that underpin evidence-based practice. The expected outcomes include identification of the most prevalent disorders and their causes and optimal treatments. The data may also revolutionise clinical auditing in Australia, help the veterinary profession to rank research priorities, and inform companion animal and equine curricula in our universities.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100477
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,000.00
Summary
Network modelling nationally important emerging infectious diseases. The project aims to develop decision-support tools for emerging infectious disease outbreaks that build on recent advances in gene sequencing and predictive modelling. Infectious disease transmission depends on the proximity and attributes of infectious and susceptible animals, evolution of the host-pathogen relationship and environmental influences. Recent changes in these have led to a series of major outbreaks with impacts o ....Network modelling nationally important emerging infectious diseases. The project aims to develop decision-support tools for emerging infectious disease outbreaks that build on recent advances in gene sequencing and predictive modelling. Infectious disease transmission depends on the proximity and attributes of infectious and susceptible animals, evolution of the host-pathogen relationship and environmental influences. Recent changes in these have led to a series of major outbreaks with impacts on animal health, productivity and trade. New decision-support tools are required to combine genetic sequences with epidemiological data early in large outbreaks. The intended outcome of the project is that the models developed may enable appropriate and timely intervention and reduce impacts in future outbreaks.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100121
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,824.00
Summary
Effects of environmental heat stress on male fertility in livestock species. This project aims to address the role of ambient heat stress in animal fertility by examining its mechanisms and developing treatments to alleviate its effects. Using an interdisciplinary approach that brings together veterinary sciences, reproductive biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics, the project expects to improve our understanding of how high environmental temperatures lead to reduced fertility, pregnancy loss ....Effects of environmental heat stress on male fertility in livestock species. This project aims to address the role of ambient heat stress in animal fertility by examining its mechanisms and developing treatments to alleviate its effects. Using an interdisciplinary approach that brings together veterinary sciences, reproductive biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics, the project expects to improve our understanding of how high environmental temperatures lead to reduced fertility, pregnancy loss and compromised inheritance in large animals, and to develop effective interventions. The resulting benefits include enhanced productivity and resilience of Australia’s livestock industries in the face of a changing climate.
Read moreRead less
Relationships between insulin resistance, diet and obesity in ponies and horses. There are an estimated 1.2 million horses in Australia, and the horse industry is estimated to contribute over $6.3 billion to the economy. Laminitis is a significant health and welfare problem in Australia, as it is worldwide, causing pain and lameness, loss of use, and sometimes necessitating euthanasia. Laminitis is one of the most common reasons for horse owners to seek veterinary attention, and diet and obesity ....Relationships between insulin resistance, diet and obesity in ponies and horses. There are an estimated 1.2 million horses in Australia, and the horse industry is estimated to contribute over $6.3 billion to the economy. Laminitis is a significant health and welfare problem in Australia, as it is worldwide, causing pain and lameness, loss of use, and sometimes necessitating euthanasia. Laminitis is one of the most common reasons for horse owners to seek veterinary attention, and diet and obesity increasingly predispose to this condition. Since treatment of laminitis is difficult, prevention is crucial. The outcomes from this project will include the provision of more specific advice on dietary and exercise management to vets and horse owners to reduce the incidence and impact of laminitis on the horse industry.Read moreRead less
Pioneering reproductive biotechnology innovations for equine breeding. This project aims to develop the world's first commercially viable system of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for horses. The equine industry is seeking reproductive technologies that allow rapid genetic gain to improve the health, welfare and quality of progeny. This project will exploit recent breakthroughs in molecular and cell biology, veterinary practice and biotechnology, by assembling these research findings into practical ....Pioneering reproductive biotechnology innovations for equine breeding. This project aims to develop the world's first commercially viable system of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for horses. The equine industry is seeking reproductive technologies that allow rapid genetic gain to improve the health, welfare and quality of progeny. This project will exploit recent breakthroughs in molecular and cell biology, veterinary practice and biotechnology, by assembling these research findings into practical systems and products optimised for successful production of foals in vitro. These technologies will boost the productivity and international competitiveness of Australia's equestrian sporting disciplines, and position the Australian biotechnology sector as global leaders in animal reproductive technologies. Read moreRead less
Gastrointestinal hormones: linking insulin dysregulation and laminitis. This project aims to identify the earliest pathogenic factors of disease by investigating two key hormones, ghrelin and GLP-2, and whether a specific genetic mutation underlies insulin dysregulation. Using innovative approaches the project will enable the identification of at-risk animals and pinpoint novel treatment strategies. In the long term improved disease treatment and prevention will reduce the suffering associated w ....Gastrointestinal hormones: linking insulin dysregulation and laminitis. This project aims to identify the earliest pathogenic factors of disease by investigating two key hormones, ghrelin and GLP-2, and whether a specific genetic mutation underlies insulin dysregulation. Using innovative approaches the project will enable the identification of at-risk animals and pinpoint novel treatment strategies. In the long term improved disease treatment and prevention will reduce the suffering associated with painful and often lethal co-morbidities.Read moreRead less
Artificial intelligence algorithms to predict risk of injury in racehorses. This project will address the urgent need for predicting and preventing catastrophic and career limiting limb injuries and cardiac arrhythmias in racehorses due to over (or under) training. Using data from GPS and movement sensors integrated into saddlecloths, artificial intelligence algorithms will convert cumulative data on speed, gait, and stride characteristics during training, along with injury data, into a risk mat ....Artificial intelligence algorithms to predict risk of injury in racehorses. This project will address the urgent need for predicting and preventing catastrophic and career limiting limb injuries and cardiac arrhythmias in racehorses due to over (or under) training. Using data from GPS and movement sensors integrated into saddlecloths, artificial intelligence algorithms will convert cumulative data on speed, gait, and stride characteristics during training, along with injury data, into a risk matrix. Recorded heart rate and ECG data will also be analysed using artificial intelligence to detect early evidence of the development of cardiac arrhythmias. The system will improve racehorse welfare, providing a simple interface to warn trainers when risk of injury becomes high, in order to prevent catastrophic breakdown.Read moreRead less