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
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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100093
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,000.00
Summary
High-throughput technology targeting antimicrobial resistance in animals. This project aims to establish reference laboratories as biobanks for resistant isolate collections from veterinary diagnostic laboratories / surveillance programmes and a national research network to mitigate antimicrobial resistance in animals. Antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic/foodborne pathogens and livestock commensals is a global issue. This project will use mass-spectroscopy biotypers, information management soft ....High-throughput technology targeting antimicrobial resistance in animals. This project aims to establish reference laboratories as biobanks for resistant isolate collections from veterinary diagnostic laboratories / surveillance programmes and a national research network to mitigate antimicrobial resistance in animals. Antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic/foodborne pathogens and livestock commensals is a global issue. This project will use mass-spectroscopy biotypers, information management software, robotic liquid handling and a research dairy to develop high-throughput screening technologies to rapidly determine major animal species’ resistance status, and research anti-infectives and vaccines for livestock diseases. This will improve the health and production of Australian livestock, leading to greater market access for high quality products.Read moreRead less
Superbugs and veterinary drugs: are multidrug-resistant zoonotic pathogens residing in Australian animals? Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem affecting human health that is now emerging in animals and veterinary hospitals. This project will integrate surveillance with novel treatments and preventatives to develop effective strategies to limit the impact of resistant bacteria to animal health and prevent transfer between humans and animals.
Functional characterisation of poly-histidine triad proteins. This project aims to understand the role and function of a novel family of surface proteins produced by Streptococci. These so-called polyhistidine triad proteins are known to contribute to capacity to cause disease in animals and humans, but we need to know how they work, as they may be excellent targets for novel drugs or vaccines.
Novel perspectives on the function of AB5 toxin B subunits in pathogenic bacterial. AB5 toxins are produced by bacteria that cause important diseases in humans and livestock. This project tests the hypothesis that the components of the toxins responsible for binding to host cells and tissues also directly contribute to cellular damage, thereby providing a better understanding of how AB5 toxin-producing bacteria cause disease.
Integrated management of pathogenic monogenean (flatworm) parasite infections in warm water finfish aquaculture. Sea cage farming of warm water finfish is expanding worldwide, with potential for lucrative aquaculture industries. These, however, are threatened by monogenean (flatworm) parasites that weaken and can kill sea-caged fishes. Current control methods provide only short-term solutions and increase production costs. Monogeneans jeopardize the fledgling kingfish industry in South Austra ....Integrated management of pathogenic monogenean (flatworm) parasite infections in warm water finfish aquaculture. Sea cage farming of warm water finfish is expanding worldwide, with potential for lucrative aquaculture industries. These, however, are threatened by monogenean (flatworm) parasites that weaken and can kill sea-caged fishes. Current control methods provide only short-term solutions and increase production costs. Monogeneans jeopardize the fledgling kingfish industry in South Australia and remain pests in Japanese yellowtail aquaculture (value, AUS$2.4 billion/year). With Australian and Japanese industry partners, our innovative field and laboratory approach will revolutionize management of fish parasites with direct life-cycles. Outcomes include: integrated long-term strategies to manage parasites; lower production costs; ability for new finfish industries to thrive.Read moreRead less
A single vaccine for influenza and pneumonia. Influenza and bacterial pneumonia collaborate to kill millions of people each year. This project aims to develop a single vaccine that will provide long-lasting protection against both influenza and pneumonia.
Bacterial glycan biosynthesis. This project aims to understand bacterial glycan biosynthesis. Bacteria produce complex polysaccharides, such as O antigens, critical to their interactions with their environment. Bacterial polysaccharides are used as vaccines, lubricants in oil drilling and food gelling agents. This project aims to find out how membrane proteins work together by using molecular genetic and biochemical approaches to identify amino acids in proteins that affect their interaction and ....Bacterial glycan biosynthesis. This project aims to understand bacterial glycan biosynthesis. Bacteria produce complex polysaccharides, such as O antigens, critical to their interactions with their environment. Bacterial polysaccharides are used as vaccines, lubricants in oil drilling and food gelling agents. This project aims to find out how membrane proteins work together by using molecular genetic and biochemical approaches to identify amino acids in proteins that affect their interaction and O antigen polymerisation. This project will create fundamental knowledge on mechanisms in polysaccharide biosynthesis and improve processes that produce and use bacterial polysaccharides, building intellectual property that can be commercialised for the benefit of society.Read moreRead less
Bacterial poly-histidine triad proteins. The poly-histidine triad (Pht) proteins are a poorly characterised family of surface proteins expressed by the genus Streptococcus and other Gram-positive genera. Recent studies suggest an important role for Pht proteins in survival of these bacteria in low zinc (Zn) environments. The project hypothesis is that Pht proteins specifically recruit Zn from the extracellular environment and somehow make it available to ATP binding cassette (ABC) transport syst ....Bacterial poly-histidine triad proteins. The poly-histidine triad (Pht) proteins are a poorly characterised family of surface proteins expressed by the genus Streptococcus and other Gram-positive genera. Recent studies suggest an important role for Pht proteins in survival of these bacteria in low zinc (Zn) environments. The project hypothesis is that Pht proteins specifically recruit Zn from the extracellular environment and somehow make it available to ATP binding cassette (ABC) transport systems located in the bacterial plasma membrane, beneath the cell wall, facilitating Zn uptake by the bacterium. The aim of this project is to conduct comprehensive molecular characterization of the interactions between Pht proteins, Zn and ABC transporters, and the role of the histidine triad motifs in these interactions.Read moreRead less