Development of new tools for surveillance of chlamydial infections in sheep. This project aims to improve health in sheep and reduce on-farm losses for Australian producers, by developing new serological tests for chlamydial infections in sheep. These infections can result in significant on-farm losses and loss of trade in the live export industry. Currently, surveillance of chlamydial infections is hindered by outdated serological tools that are unreliable and difficult to interpret. The ser ....Development of new tools for surveillance of chlamydial infections in sheep. This project aims to improve health in sheep and reduce on-farm losses for Australian producers, by developing new serological tests for chlamydial infections in sheep. These infections can result in significant on-farm losses and loss of trade in the live export industry. Currently, surveillance of chlamydial infections is hindered by outdated serological tools that are unreliable and difficult to interpret. The serological tests to be developed aim to be species-specific tests to detect the most important chlamydial sheep pathogens. This in turn endeavours to improve domestic surveillance, reducing on-farm losses and costs, and improve market opportunities for Australian sheep exporters as well as informing veterinary populations on best practice treatment.Read moreRead less
Ross River virus - identification of virulence determinants in clinical isolates from across Australia. In Australia, Ross River virus (RRV) is the most common insect borne virus that affects human health. There were more than 60,000 confirmed cases of RRV between 1993 and 2008. While not fatal, the disease is responsible for significant morbidity that has both social and economic costs for the individual, their family and the community. The project has several national benefits. It will elucida ....Ross River virus - identification of virulence determinants in clinical isolates from across Australia. In Australia, Ross River virus (RRV) is the most common insect borne virus that affects human health. There were more than 60,000 confirmed cases of RRV between 1993 and 2008. While not fatal, the disease is responsible for significant morbidity that has both social and economic costs for the individual, their family and the community. The project has several national benefits. It will elucidate whether there is any association between RRV strain and the severity of human disease. It will also identify viral markers that could assist public health officials in determining likely disease outcomes of outbreaks and could provide new avenues for the design of antiviral strategies.Read moreRead less
Novel strategies in the design and development of antivirals against dengue virus. Globally, there are 50-100 million cases of dengue fever, with 500,000 cases of the more severe dengue haemorrhagic fever, each year. Australia has between 100 and 900 cases of dengue infection annually, often from travellers, but disease outbreaks occur in northern Australia. Effective anti-viral treatment will reduce disease burden. The project contributes to an evidence-based drug design program in collaboratio ....Novel strategies in the design and development of antivirals against dengue virus. Globally, there are 50-100 million cases of dengue fever, with 500,000 cases of the more severe dengue haemorrhagic fever, each year. Australia has between 100 and 900 cases of dengue infection annually, often from travellers, but disease outbreaks occur in northern Australia. Effective anti-viral treatment will reduce disease burden. The project contributes to an evidence-based drug design program in collaboration with Australia's leading biotechnology industries. As a biotechnology industry project developing treatments for an emerging disease, it contributes to the national research priorities of Frontier technologies for building and transforming Australian industries, Promoting and maintaining good health and Safeguarding Australia.Read moreRead less
An evaluation of novel aluminosilicate materials based on modified kaolins for environmental applications. We have shown that simple and inexpensive modification of kaolin produces materials that adsorb large amounts of ammonium (N) and phosphate (P). We intend to evaluate and develop these materials for water treatment, so as to reduce N, P inputs into rivers and wetlands. The materials can then be used as fertilisers. Similarly addition of the materials to sandy soils to reduce leaching losses ....An evaluation of novel aluminosilicate materials based on modified kaolins for environmental applications. We have shown that simple and inexpensive modification of kaolin produces materials that adsorb large amounts of ammonium (N) and phosphate (P). We intend to evaluate and develop these materials for water treatment, so as to reduce N, P inputs into rivers and wetlands. The materials can then be used as fertilisers. Similarly addition of the materials to sandy soils to reduce leaching losses of N, P from fertilisers will be investigated. The major outcome of this research will be effective and inexpensive procedures for reducing eutrophication due to N, P from waste water and fertilisers.Read moreRead less