Investigations into the antibacterial mechanism of action of cannabidiol. This project aims to understand how the compound cannabidiol is able to kill bacteria by examining its interactions with bacteria from a genetic and molecular level. This research is critical, because future development of cannabidiol and design of improved analogs is predicated on knowing how it works. Expected outcomes include the first detailed understanding of how cannabidiol interacts with bacteria. This should lead ....Investigations into the antibacterial mechanism of action of cannabidiol. This project aims to understand how the compound cannabidiol is able to kill bacteria by examining its interactions with bacteria from a genetic and molecular level. This research is critical, because future development of cannabidiol and design of improved analogs is predicated on knowing how it works. Expected outcomes include the first detailed understanding of how cannabidiol interacts with bacteria. This should lead to significant benefits, including high impact publications, additional collaborations with industrial partner Botanix, and a new class of antibiotics to overcome antibiotic resistance.Read moreRead less
Rapid functional and taxonomic skin microbe characterisation. Rapid functional and taxonomic skin microbe characterisation. This project aims to develop methods to detect and characterise bioactive molecules released by skin microbes, and a novel microspectroscopy method for rapid taxonomic identification. This project will acquire independent spectra and develop classification algorithms, and participate in strategic planning for applications and product development. The expected outcomes from ....Rapid functional and taxonomic skin microbe characterisation. Rapid functional and taxonomic skin microbe characterisation. This project aims to develop methods to detect and characterise bioactive molecules released by skin microbes, and a novel microspectroscopy method for rapid taxonomic identification. This project will acquire independent spectra and develop classification algorithms, and participate in strategic planning for applications and product development. The expected outcomes from this project are research tools for skin microbiome modulation of immunity, and proof-of-concept data for future commercial product development. Potential commercial applications include microbial characterisation for biosecurity, agriculture, environmental and soil biology.Read moreRead less
Smarter fermentations through starter culture genomics. Australia makes over $1 billion dollars worth of cheese each year, however fermentation can be adversely affected by virus (phage) attack or sub-optimal strain mixtures. The latest genomics and molecular biology approaches will be used to characterise and optimise starter culture strains leading to improved flavour, quality and efficiency in cheese making.
Chemical inhibition: a new approach to investigate the role of a key protease, CtHtrA, from Chlamydia trachomatis. Infertility in women frequently results from infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. This project will develop an inhibitor compound against a important protein from this bacteria. This will establish a new scientific approach to study Chlamydia trachomatis. This project will also contribute to the development of new treatments for infertility.
Harnessing the 'omics revolution to investigate drug response and resistance mechanisms in Giardia duodenalis. This international research project will harness cutting-edge technologies to explore how Giardia, a major global cause of diarrhoeal illness in humans, responds to and becomes resistant to key anti-giardial drugs, providing valuable information for drug preservation and development.