Detection and viability of waterborne pathogens using a gut-on-chip. This project aims to resolve a significant problem for water utilities. Microbial pathogens Cryptosporidium, norovirus and adenovirus are the main public health concern for drinking water in developed nations. Water monitoring is limited by the lack of fast, reliable detection methods and viability assays for these pathogens. This project will use a novel gut-on-a-chip to develop for the first time rapid infectivity assays for ....Detection and viability of waterborne pathogens using a gut-on-chip. This project aims to resolve a significant problem for water utilities. Microbial pathogens Cryptosporidium, norovirus and adenovirus are the main public health concern for drinking water in developed nations. Water monitoring is limited by the lack of fast, reliable detection methods and viability assays for these pathogens. This project will use a novel gut-on-a-chip to develop for the first time rapid infectivity assays for Cryptosporidium, norovirus and adenovirus. Significant benefits include improved diagnostics and water disinfection assays, improved water treatment and reduced costs with global impact.Read moreRead less
Transport and innate immune properties of DNA in bacterial nano-sized vesicles. All types of living organisms release nano-sized membrane vesicles or “blebs” which they use for intercellular communication and transport of molecules. This project will determine how bacteria package DNA within these vesicles, how this DNA is transported into host cells and how it triggers immune responses in these cells.
The host specificity of bacterial pathogens. The vast majority of microorganisms that cause diseases in animals are host specific. In other words, they cause disease exclusively in a particular animal species, but are harmless for others. Despite considerable recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms used by microorganisms in general to cause disease, in most cases the underlying basis of host-specificity is not known. In this project, we will use two animal pathogens, rabbit-spe ....The host specificity of bacterial pathogens. The vast majority of microorganisms that cause diseases in animals are host specific. In other words, they cause disease exclusively in a particular animal species, but are harmless for others. Despite considerable recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms used by microorganisms in general to cause disease, in most cases the underlying basis of host-specificity is not known. In this project, we will use two animal pathogens, rabbit-specific enteropathogenic E. coli and the closely related bacterium, Citrobacter rodentium, which specifically infect rabbits and mice respectively, to investigate the molecular basis of host specificity.Read moreRead less
Characterization of metabolic networks in a microbial pathogen. New methods are needed to understand complex cellular processes such as metabolism. This proposal will support the development of methods in metabolite profiling and flux analysis that provide a global view of metabolic networks in cells and complement other profiling approaches, such as proteomics and transcriptomics. The development of these approaches (collectively termed Systems Biology) is essential for maintaining Australia sc ....Characterization of metabolic networks in a microbial pathogen. New methods are needed to understand complex cellular processes such as metabolism. This proposal will support the development of methods in metabolite profiling and flux analysis that provide a global view of metabolic networks in cells and complement other profiling approaches, such as proteomics and transcriptomics. The development of these approaches (collectively termed Systems Biology) is essential for maintaining Australia science at the forefront of international efforts (National Research Priority 3; Breakthrough science). This project will also directly contribute to our understanding of metabolism of an important human pathogen and provide training to young Australian scientists.Read moreRead less
Designing effective Gram negative bacterial vaccines. There is a need for the development of novel vaccines for use in animals and humans. This project will to address this need by studying the functions of bacterial 'blebs' as potent inducers of the host immune system and by developing these nano-sized particles for use as safe and cost-effective vaccine candidates.
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL210100258
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,331,707.00
Summary
Understanding how bacteria adapt and function in the complex gut ecosystem. This project aims to investigate the role of the gut ecosystem in defining the structure and function of microbes. Given that one of the current challenges in microbiology is our inability to study individual microbes directly from complex, multi-microbial niches, this project aims to develop multidisciplinary methods to study microbes in their native state, to understand how they adapt to live in the gut. This understan ....Understanding how bacteria adapt and function in the complex gut ecosystem. This project aims to investigate the role of the gut ecosystem in defining the structure and function of microbes. Given that one of the current challenges in microbiology is our inability to study individual microbes directly from complex, multi-microbial niches, this project aims to develop multidisciplinary methods to study microbes in their native state, to understand how they adapt to live in the gut. This understanding should provide fundamental insights into adaptation mechanisms that lead to bacterial proliferation, disease and antibiotic resistance. As well as enhancing interdisciplinary collaborations, this work should provide economic benefits by contributing to improved gut health of animals, and more efficient food production.Read moreRead less
Evolution of AB5 toxins. The proposed research program, using the combination of structural biology and cellular biology will provide insight into the evolution of AB5 toxins. This study will not only improve our fundamental understanding how pathogens evolve to invade hosts but could lead to the rational design of antimicrobials. The knowledge gained will increase Australia's international research profile.
A comprehensive analysis of the outer membrane, surface exposed and secreted proteome of Pasteurella multocida. Pasteurella multocida is the causative agent of a range of animal diseases. The molecular mechanisms of P. multocida pathogenesis are poorly understood and the current vaccines generally ineffective. We will identify all P. multocida outer membrane, surface exposed and secreted proteins expressed during natural infection, or under conditions which mimic natural infection, by a global p ....A comprehensive analysis of the outer membrane, surface exposed and secreted proteome of Pasteurella multocida. Pasteurella multocida is the causative agent of a range of animal diseases. The molecular mechanisms of P. multocida pathogenesis are poorly understood and the current vaccines generally ineffective. We will identify all P. multocida outer membrane, surface exposed and secreted proteins expressed during natural infection, or under conditions which mimic natural infection, by a global proteomics approach. We believe that secreted proteins and those found on the outer surface of the bacterial cell are likely to be crucial virulence determinants. The expected outcomes are the identification of a number of candidate vaccine antigens and an enhanced understanding of Pasteurella pathogenesis.Read moreRead less
Transcriptional control of antigenic variation in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is a major health concern for the Australian Defence Personnel recently deployed in East Timor, Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands and is endemic in our immediate neighbours Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Australia is susceptible to malaria and climate change could extend the mosquitos range to large population centres of Northern Australia causing malaria in Australia. This study would clarif ....Transcriptional control of antigenic variation in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is a major health concern for the Australian Defence Personnel recently deployed in East Timor, Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands and is endemic in our immediate neighbours Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Australia is susceptible to malaria and climate change could extend the mosquitos range to large population centres of Northern Australia causing malaria in Australia. This study would clarify how malaria parasites evade the host's immune response and help to protect Australia by providing drug targets for the control of this invasive disease.Read moreRead less
Functional genomics of large clostridial plasmids. The aims of this genomics project are to determine how large DNA elements called plasmids are able to be transferred between different strains of a bacterium that causes disease in domestic livestock. These plasmids carry genes that encode the potent protein toxins that are responsible for several diseases. To understand how these diseases are spread we must learn how the plasmids have evolved and whether they can move from bacterium to bacteriu ....Functional genomics of large clostridial plasmids. The aims of this genomics project are to determine how large DNA elements called plasmids are able to be transferred between different strains of a bacterium that causes disease in domestic livestock. These plasmids carry genes that encode the potent protein toxins that are responsible for several diseases. To understand how these diseases are spread we must learn how the plasmids have evolved and whether they can move from bacterium to bacterium. The successful completion of the project will result in a detailed understanding of genetic elements that are important mediators of several diseases of importance to Australian primary industry.Read moreRead less