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.
Vaccination of poultry infected with multiple Salmonella serovars. Salmonella is a zoonotic, foodborne pathogen found on eggs and poultry meat. It is the second largest cause of human gastrointestinal disease, thus, reduction of Salmonella on poultry farms is paramount to public health. This project aims to evaluate the long-term efficacy of a commercial Salmonella Typhimurium vaccine against multiple serotypes, including the emerging Salmonella Enteritidis. This project will generate new knowle ....Vaccination of poultry infected with multiple Salmonella serovars. Salmonella is a zoonotic, foodborne pathogen found on eggs and poultry meat. It is the second largest cause of human gastrointestinal disease, thus, reduction of Salmonella on poultry farms is paramount to public health. This project aims to evaluate the long-term efficacy of a commercial Salmonella Typhimurium vaccine against multiple serotypes, including the emerging Salmonella Enteritidis. This project will generate new knowledge in avian immunology using an innovative approach to evaluate the host response to multi-serovar infection. Outcomes of this project will future proof the Australian poultry industry against exotic Salmonella serotypes benefitting the industry by significantly reducing risks of future outbreaks and economic loss.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
Novel link between bacterial sugar metabolism and cell-to-cell signalling. This project aims to understand the role and function of the bacterial communication system that enables bacteria to form complex communities and alter phenotypic traits, essential for survival in their environment. Bacteria survive in their environmental niches by developing complex multicellular communities. Cell to cell communication, termed quorum sensing (QS), is critical for this process and is linked to their capac ....Novel link between bacterial sugar metabolism and cell-to-cell signalling. This project aims to understand the role and function of the bacterial communication system that enables bacteria to form complex communities and alter phenotypic traits, essential for survival in their environment. Bacteria survive in their environmental niches by developing complex multicellular communities. Cell to cell communication, termed quorum sensing (QS), is critical for this process and is linked to their capacity to detect and secrete small signalling molecules, autoinducers. This project will provide a new paradigm in bacterial adaptation through comprehensive characterisation of the Autoinducer-2 QS system. This knowledge will provide future opportunities for intervention in microbial infestation with broad potential benefits.Read moreRead less
The molecular basis of zinc toxicity to Gram-positive bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria are a major cause of infectious diseases in both developed and developing countries. This project will contribute to our understanding of how zinc causes toxicity to these bacteria and facilitate our exploitation of this Achilles heel, by providing new insights into fundamental aspects of microbial physiology.
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
Quantitative Metagenomics. This project aims to revolutionize our view of the microbial world once more by transforming microbiome studies from relative counts of organisms to actual numbers of microbes. This project expects to impact all the microbiome studies that are being performed worldwide by unveiling the actual numbers of microbes. Expected outcomes of this project include new techniques to enumerate the number of bacteria in different environments and new approaches to measure gene expr ....Quantitative Metagenomics. This project aims to revolutionize our view of the microbial world once more by transforming microbiome studies from relative counts of organisms to actual numbers of microbes. This project expects to impact all the microbiome studies that are being performed worldwide by unveiling the actual numbers of microbes. Expected outcomes of this project include new techniques to enumerate the number of bacteria in different environments and new approaches to measure gene expression within individual bacteria in any environment that will be demonstrated with complex microbial communities. This should provide significant benefits because microbes affect every aspect of our lives and those effects are driven by how many microbes are present.Read moreRead less