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.
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Next-generation genomic resources to tackle parasitic diseases of animals. The revolution in genomics provides unprecedented opportunities to tackle destructive parasitic diseases affecting billions of animals worldwide. Through a synergy of leading-edge technologies and a strong partnership with BGI International, this project aims to deliver major conceptual advances in the understanding of parasitism; an unparalleled skills-base in genomics and bioinformatics; innovative new molecular technol ....Next-generation genomic resources to tackle parasitic diseases of animals. The revolution in genomics provides unprecedented opportunities to tackle destructive parasitic diseases affecting billions of animals worldwide. Through a synergy of leading-edge technologies and a strong partnership with BGI International, this project aims to deliver major conceptual advances in the understanding of parasitism; an unparalleled skills-base in genomics and bioinformatics; innovative new molecular technologies; and new treatments and diagnostic tests as biotechnological outcomes. This leap forward in Australia will substantially enhance the global profile of parasitology research, training and employment opportunities for early career scientists, and improve access to international research funding and networks. Read moreRead less
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
A “Goldilocks” live attenuated poultry vaccine for Infectious Coryza. This project aims to develop a safe and effective vaccine for Infectious Coryza using a live-attenuated vaccine approach. Infectious coryza is an acute respiratory disease of chickens and is caused by the bacterial pathogen, Avibacterium paragallinarum. Infectious Coryza can be controlled by appropriate biosecurity practises and this has been successful in the Australian context to date. However, in the USA, Europe and other e ....A “Goldilocks” live attenuated poultry vaccine for Infectious Coryza. This project aims to develop a safe and effective vaccine for Infectious Coryza using a live-attenuated vaccine approach. Infectious coryza is an acute respiratory disease of chickens and is caused by the bacterial pathogen, Avibacterium paragallinarum. Infectious Coryza can be controlled by appropriate biosecurity practises and this has been successful in the Australian context to date. However, in the USA, Europe and other equatorial regions, infectious Coryza remains an unsolved problem. The expected outcome of this project is a cross-serovar protective vaccine to prevent infectious coryza for use in endemic countries and to act as a biosecurity measure to protect Australia's poultry industry against an incursion of this disease.Read moreRead less
Increasing amphibian immunity to combat disease causing mass extinction. This project aims to increase amphibian survival to combat the devastating chytrid fungus by identifying resistance genes and increasing their frequency in the host population. The project is interdisciplinary and uses targeted genetic manipulation techniques developed for agriculture to improve disease resistance in wildlife for the first time. Expected outcomes include 1) enhanced international collaborations in comparati ....Increasing amphibian immunity to combat disease causing mass extinction. This project aims to increase amphibian survival to combat the devastating chytrid fungus by identifying resistance genes and increasing their frequency in the host population. The project is interdisciplinary and uses targeted genetic manipulation techniques developed for agriculture to improve disease resistance in wildlife for the first time. Expected outcomes include 1) enhanced international collaborations in comparative immunology, 2) a comprehensive understanding of immunity to chytridiomycosis, and 3) disease resistant amphibians. The anticipated benefit is ability to apply the optimal method to improve conservation of wildlife threatened by emerging disease, such as marker assisted selective breeding or genetic engineering.Read moreRead less
Reducing the health & economic burden of Campylobacter using a live vaccine. The aim of the project is to develop a vaccine to reduce Campylobacter bacteria in chickens. Campylobacters cause disease in both poultry and humans. Poultry products are the most common source of human infections. By reducing Campylobacter in poultry, the transfer to humans will be reduced. The expected outcomes arising from this work will be a reduction of the economic burden of poultry losses, in an Australian indust ....Reducing the health & economic burden of Campylobacter using a live vaccine. The aim of the project is to develop a vaccine to reduce Campylobacter bacteria in chickens. Campylobacters cause disease in both poultry and humans. Poultry products are the most common source of human infections. By reducing Campylobacter in poultry, the transfer to humans will be reduced. The expected outcomes arising from this work will be a reduction of the economic burden of poultry losses, in an Australian industry valued at $2.8 billion/year, and an improvement in food safety, thus helping to reduce the burden of foodborne illness, estimated to be $1.2 billion dollars/year. This project is, therefore, poised to benefit the Australian economy, specifically primary producers and the general public, by targeted vaccination of poultry.Read moreRead less
Developing feasible in situ control of mange disease in wombats. Our goal is the development of feasible in situ control of sarcoptic mange in wombat populations. Globally important, the Sarcoptes scabiei mite infects >100 mammal species and is among the 50 most common human diseases, causing health, welfare and population impacts. This infection is treatable, and we will test a new treatment (fluralaner), develop new models to guide management, and conduct replicated field trials. This will ena ....Developing feasible in situ control of mange disease in wombats. Our goal is the development of feasible in situ control of sarcoptic mange in wombat populations. Globally important, the Sarcoptes scabiei mite infects >100 mammal species and is among the 50 most common human diseases, causing health, welfare and population impacts. This infection is treatable, and we will test a new treatment (fluralaner), develop new models to guide management, and conduct replicated field trials. This will enable science-based guidelines, advancing disease control, local eradication, and regulatory approval for wombats. Our research framework is adaptable to other mange-impacted species, and advance methods and theory for control of treatable disease in wildlife.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101395
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Effect of disease on reproduction plasticity and evolution in amphibians. The project aims to explore the impact of disease on reproductive success in amphibians by utilizing a holistic approach of both lab and field techniques to understand ecological mechanisms for resilience of wildlife to emerging diseases. The project will explore reproductive effort as a population persistence mechanism of declining species. This should advance knowledge of both reproductive plasticity and evolutionary ada ....Effect of disease on reproduction plasticity and evolution in amphibians. The project aims to explore the impact of disease on reproductive success in amphibians by utilizing a holistic approach of both lab and field techniques to understand ecological mechanisms for resilience of wildlife to emerging diseases. The project will explore reproductive effort as a population persistence mechanism of declining species. This should advance knowledge of both reproductive plasticity and evolutionary adaptation in the face of disease. The expected outcomes include developing targeted approaches for conservation agencies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100367
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,008.00
Summary
Characterisation of avian circovirus protein complexes. This project aims to better understand how the beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is assembled. The virus affects Australian native birds, which are currently endangered or critically endangered and has the potential to disrupt native ecosystems. By using interdisciplinary research, this project will generate fundamental knowledge by which BFDV protein complexes are formed. The intended outcomes of the project include the identification ....Characterisation of avian circovirus protein complexes. This project aims to better understand how the beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is assembled. The virus affects Australian native birds, which are currently endangered or critically endangered and has the potential to disrupt native ecosystems. By using interdisciplinary research, this project will generate fundamental knowledge by which BFDV protein complexes are formed. The intended outcomes of the project include the identification of key binding interfaces involved in viral formation processes. This information intends to guide cost-effective delivery of potential anti-viral options or vaccines for endangered Australian native parrots, and for use as a model to target other pathogenic DNA viruses of interest.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH150100028
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,708,510.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Integrated Device for End-user Analysis at Low-levels. ARC Research Hub for Integrated Device for End-user Analysis at Low-levels. This hub aims to improve detection of biological materials by building a portable device for rapid, time-critical detection of low-abundance molecular and cellular analytes. It is expected that the resulting technologies would be used at medical points of care, ordinary workplaces and centres of activity to test for tiny levels of targeted molecu ....ARC Research Hub for Integrated Device for End-user Analysis at Low-levels. ARC Research Hub for Integrated Device for End-user Analysis at Low-levels. This hub aims to improve detection of biological materials by building a portable device for rapid, time-critical detection of low-abundance molecular and cellular analytes. It is expected that the resulting technologies would be used at medical points of care, ordinary workplaces and centres of activity to test for tiny levels of targeted molecules. The initial focus would be early diagnosis of disease and point-of-care drug testing for humans and animals, but the technology platform could be used to sample food and environmental toxins. The hub expects these disruptive technologies will make Australian biotechnology, diagnostics, veterinary, agribusiness and manufacturing firms globally competitive.Read moreRead less