Novel methodology advancing applied Bayesian statistics and applications. Bayesian statistical inference has become the dominant statistical method in significant areas of application. The project aims to develop and apply novel Bayesian computational algorithms. Outcomes will advance scientific understanding in significant multi-disciplinary areas such as infectious diseases, neurological disease and human behaviour.
Investigating the molecular basis of T-cell receptor cross-reactivity. This project will explore the basis of unexpected immune reactions whereby the immune system mistakes one molecular structure for another, a phenomenon known as cross-reactivity. This project will examine how often this is due to molecular mimicry, potentially explaining why immune T cells sometimes react inappropriately to different agents.
The protein O-glycosylation pathway of Neisseria: a model system for O-glycosylation of bacterial proteins with potential use in biotechnology. Proteins can be modified by the addition of sugar molecules. This process, called glycosylation, has been studied for some time in humans and other higher organisms, but is relatively new in the field of bacteria. This study will use the bacterium Neisseria as a model system for this process and work to harness the system for use in biotechnology.
Convergence of biomaterials and immunology: a technology platform for delayed burst release of vaccines. A large challenge in vaccination, particularly in wildlife such as for the growing problem of Chlamydia in koalas, is to provide the necessary booster shots. This project will develop implants that will be inserted under the skin at the time of the first shot, and will spontaneously burst later to release the booster shot to provide protection.
Enabling aerosol delivery of phages to defeat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This project aims to explore the use of bacteriophages towards producing a safe, natural, and highly effective alternative to traditional antibiotics. Respiratory infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are a major health problem worldwide, and cost Australia over $150 million annually. Some 5,000 Australians die each year from antibiotic resistant infections. The project aims to produce efficac ....Enabling aerosol delivery of phages to defeat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This project aims to explore the use of bacteriophages towards producing a safe, natural, and highly effective alternative to traditional antibiotics. Respiratory infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are a major health problem worldwide, and cost Australia over $150 million annually. Some 5,000 Australians die each year from antibiotic resistant infections. The project aims to produce efficacious and stable formulations of bacteriophages for easy delivery by inhalation as aerosols with a long shelf-life, making them a commercially viable product. The expected research outcome can lead to an economic and efficient technology to produce phage powders for novel treatment strategies of infections by inhalation.Read moreRead less
Mathematical and statistical methods for modelling invivo pathogen dynamics. This project aims to develop mathematical models and Bayesian statistical methods that better capture how natural defence responses and drugs help control infection. When viruses (e.g. influenza) or parasites (e.g. malaria) invade the human body, they begin to replicate. To date, only simple mathematical models have been developed to capture these processes, and these models are not well formulated. This project will im ....Mathematical and statistical methods for modelling invivo pathogen dynamics. This project aims to develop mathematical models and Bayesian statistical methods that better capture how natural defence responses and drugs help control infection. When viruses (e.g. influenza) or parasites (e.g. malaria) invade the human body, they begin to replicate. To date, only simple mathematical models have been developed to capture these processes, and these models are not well formulated. This project will improve biomathematics and biostatistical algorithms for pathogen dynamics and is ultimately expected to benefit public health and clinical research aimed at alleviating the effect of infectious diseases on human health.Read moreRead less
Mathematical models of diseases with complex transmission routes. This project aims to model diseases that spread via a mixture of routes including food, water, the environment, and direct spread between individuals. Key diseases include: avian influenza, which causes massive disruption to the poultry industry; gastroenteritis, which costs Australia $1,250 million each year; and leptospirosis, which causes one million severe illnesses each year globally. This project will develop mathematical a ....Mathematical models of diseases with complex transmission routes. This project aims to model diseases that spread via a mixture of routes including food, water, the environment, and direct spread between individuals. Key diseases include: avian influenza, which causes massive disruption to the poultry industry; gastroenteritis, which costs Australia $1,250 million each year; and leptospirosis, which causes one million severe illnesses each year globally. This project will develop mathematical and statistical tools to better estimate risk, analyse outbreak data, and provide guidance for disease control. This research will improve policy and enhance our ability to respond to disease outbreaks.Read moreRead less
Epigenetic regulation in bacteria. This project aims to understand the effect of DNA modification on gene regulation in the bacterial organism Escherichia coli, which causes urinary tract infection worldwide. High-throughput DNA sequencing technologies mean one can determine the entire genetic blueprint of a bacterium – its genome – accurately, quickly and cheaply. Single-molecule real-time sequencing provides a complete read-out of a bacterial genome (genetic data) and chemical modifications of ....Epigenetic regulation in bacteria. This project aims to understand the effect of DNA modification on gene regulation in the bacterial organism Escherichia coli, which causes urinary tract infection worldwide. High-throughput DNA sequencing technologies mean one can determine the entire genetic blueprint of a bacterium – its genome – accurately, quickly and cheaply. Single-molecule real-time sequencing provides a complete read-out of a bacterial genome (genetic data) and chemical modifications of the DNA (epigenetic data). Epigenetic data can affect regulation: how genes are switched off and on. This project seeks to harness the power of single-molecule DNA sequencing, together with state-of-the-art genomic and molecular approaches, to better understand the impact of DNA modification on gene regulation in the model bacterial organism, Escherichia coli. This work will support advanced training in bioinformatics and microbiology and improve our understanding of regulation in all bacteria.Read moreRead less
Novel peptide mimics for the disruption of chemical communication in bacteria. It is now well established that bacteria communicate with each other via small diffusible signalling molecules and coordinate their activities such as biofilm formation, swarming and expression of virulence factors in a coordinated manner. This project will investigate the synthesis of novel organic molecules that have the capacity to disrupt chemical communication in bacteria. This could allow control of the unwante ....Novel peptide mimics for the disruption of chemical communication in bacteria. It is now well established that bacteria communicate with each other via small diffusible signalling molecules and coordinate their activities such as biofilm formation, swarming and expression of virulence factors in a coordinated manner. This project will investigate the synthesis of novel organic molecules that have the capacity to disrupt chemical communication in bacteria. This could allow control of the unwanted microbial activity without the use of growth inhibitory agents such as antibiotics, preservatives and disinfectants that select for the resistant organisms. This elegant approach to eradicating the virulence behaviour of microbes represents a novel strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance.Read moreRead less
New methods for structure analysis of proteins and protein interactions. This project will advance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technologies pioneered at the Australian National University which employ site-specific attachment of paramagnetic metal tags to proteins. A new and diverse set of strategies will dramatically extend the range of applications to targets of interest in the fight against cancer and bacterial infections.