Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100238
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$379,574.00
Summary
Chlamydial infections of birds, domesticated animals and humans. This project aims to investigate the epidemiology of an avian Chlamydia pathogen that is known to infect humans and animals, causing serious disease. Utilising molecular epidemiology approaches, this project will generate new knowledge about dynamics of where, when and how this infection spill-over occurs between different hosts. This project also aims to extend early development work on an innovative diagnostic system for detectio ....Chlamydial infections of birds, domesticated animals and humans. This project aims to investigate the epidemiology of an avian Chlamydia pathogen that is known to infect humans and animals, causing serious disease. Utilising molecular epidemiology approaches, this project will generate new knowledge about dynamics of where, when and how this infection spill-over occurs between different hosts. This project also aims to extend early development work on an innovative diagnostic system for detection of chlamydia in laboratory and point-of-care scenarios. The expected outcomes are a greatly enhanced understanding of infections in humans and animals caused by this understudied pathogen, which will allow for more effective control and management of these infections.Read moreRead less
Emergence of a virulent strain of West Nile virus causing fatal equine encephalitis in south-eastern Australia. In 2011 a large outbreak of encephalitis in horses occurred in south-eastern Australia that was caused by a new virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes and is related to West Nile virus, known to cause severe disease in humans and horses. This project will study this new virus and develop improved methods for diagnosis and control of this disease.
Emergence and evolution of a multi-host pandemic: amphibian chytridiomycosis as a model. Emerging infectious diseases are contributing to the sixth mass extinction. This study will focus on the most important disease, chytridiomycosis, which has caused the extinction of hundreds of amphibian species. It will examine the reasons for its emergence and how it is evolving - this will improve management of it and other emerging diseases.