PrtFII, A Streptococcus Pyogenes Fibronectin Binding Protein, And Invasive Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$296,540.00
Summary
Our recent work revealed that, in the Aboriginal population, young age is a risk factor for severe invasive diseases caused by group A streptococcus. For group A streptococcus infection to occur, bacterial attachment is the first step. The bacterium attaches to host cells through interactions involving host fibronectin and the pathogen's fibronectin-binding proteins. We have found that streptococcal strains from severe disease cases are more likely to have the gene for PrtFII, a fibronectin bind ....Our recent work revealed that, in the Aboriginal population, young age is a risk factor for severe invasive diseases caused by group A streptococcus. For group A streptococcus infection to occur, bacterial attachment is the first step. The bacterium attaches to host cells through interactions involving host fibronectin and the pathogen's fibronectin-binding proteins. We have found that streptococcal strains from severe disease cases are more likely to have the gene for PrtFII, a fibronectin binding protein, than those from uncomplicated skin sores. In this application we propose to extend this observation and compare biochemical properties of PrtFII from strains belonging to the above two sets of collections. We hypothesise that PrtFII from invasive strains bind to fibronectin more tightly than the proteins from strains that cause uncomplicated infection. We also will test whether sera from invasive disease cases have lower titre of antibodies to the conserved region of PrtFII than sera from uncomplicated cases. A streptococcal vaccine by necessity has to be a multi-component vaccine to cover a wide spectrum of diseases and epidemiological differences. The study proposed here may provide a basis to argue whether or not to include PrtFII in such a multi-component vaccine.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100373
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,320.00
Summary
The role of resource fluctuations in structuring microbial communities. The flow of nutrients through ecological systems fluctuates through time and yet the impact this variability has on the maintenance of biodiversity is poorly understood. Drawing on emerging theory and a tight integration of modelling and experiments in a model microbial system, this project aims to investigate the impact of modified nutrient regimes on the structure and stability of ecological communities. This project expec ....The role of resource fluctuations in structuring microbial communities. The flow of nutrients through ecological systems fluctuates through time and yet the impact this variability has on the maintenance of biodiversity is poorly understood. Drawing on emerging theory and a tight integration of modelling and experiments in a model microbial system, this project aims to investigate the impact of modified nutrient regimes on the structure and stability of ecological communities. This project expects to generate new knowledge at the forefront of research into diversity maintenance, ecosystem functioning and higher-order interactions. The outcomes should provide a deep mechanistic understanding of microbial community dynamics, with applications from animal health to environmental flows and insect pest management.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100006
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
Northern Australia Plant Biosecurity Facility. Quarantine glasshouses (Biosecurity Containment Level 2) are required to develop research with invasive plants. However, in Australia, no quarantine glasshouses exist north of parallel 27 (Brisbane), posing a remarkable barrier to research on tropical biosecurity. This proposal aims to establish a quarantine glasshouse for a broad range of internal and external users, enabling scientists based in the Australian tropics and other interested parties t ....Northern Australia Plant Biosecurity Facility. Quarantine glasshouses (Biosecurity Containment Level 2) are required to develop research with invasive plants. However, in Australia, no quarantine glasshouses exist north of parallel 27 (Brisbane), posing a remarkable barrier to research on tropical biosecurity. This proposal aims to establish a quarantine glasshouse for a broad range of internal and external users, enabling scientists based in the Australian tropics and other interested parties to address plant biosecurity risks from and for northern Australia. Tropical biosecurity is a key area of strategic focus for JCU and its network of partners, who will benefit from the targeted research, quarantine services, and specialized training that will be enabled by this facility.Read moreRead less
Understanding population growth time lags in invasive species. This project will use data collected from wild animals, landholder surveys, and computer simulation models to understand why invasive chital deer (Axis axis) are suddenly increasing in number after many years of slow population growth. By combining multiple empirical datasets and developing new modelling techniques, we will generate a new method for understanding population trends in introduced species. The results of this study will ....Understanding population growth time lags in invasive species. This project will use data collected from wild animals, landholder surveys, and computer simulation models to understand why invasive chital deer (Axis axis) are suddenly increasing in number after many years of slow population growth. By combining multiple empirical datasets and developing new modelling techniques, we will generate a new method for understanding population trends in introduced species. The results of this study will allow Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and others to better predict invasive species growth rates, which will allow for better, and more cost effective control methods. Read moreRead less
From exploration to mining: new geological strategies for sustaining high levels of copper production from the Mount Isa district. Mineral production at the Mount Isa copper and Ernest Henry copper-gold mines is worth more than $ 1 billion per year and this has underpinned the northern Queensland economy for a number of years. These resources are being depleted at a high rate, and no significant new discoveries have been made in over a decade. This project will provide some of the tools to defin ....From exploration to mining: new geological strategies for sustaining high levels of copper production from the Mount Isa district. Mineral production at the Mount Isa copper and Ernest Henry copper-gold mines is worth more than $ 1 billion per year and this has underpinned the northern Queensland economy for a number of years. These resources are being depleted at a high rate, and no significant new discoveries have been made in over a decade. This project will provide some of the tools to define new resources for the next generation, ensuring the prosperity of the region and bolstering the Australian economy. The timing is critical given the long lead time between discovery and production (in the order of 5 to 10 years). If successful the research may have major financial impacts at local, regional and national scales. It may also improve mine safety.Read moreRead less
Fundamental experimental and modelling studies of slag/matte/metal/gas systems in support of sustainable copper smelting and converting technologies. Australia is in the midst of a sustained increase in demand for its mineral resources that is leading to expansion in production and major capital investments across the industry sector. Most of the primary production of copper metal in Australia takes place through the use of high temperature smelting technologies. New technologies and significant ....Fundamental experimental and modelling studies of slag/matte/metal/gas systems in support of sustainable copper smelting and converting technologies. Australia is in the midst of a sustained increase in demand for its mineral resources that is leading to expansion in production and major capital investments across the industry sector. Most of the primary production of copper metal in Australia takes place through the use of high temperature smelting technologies. New technologies and significant changes to existing smelting technologies are currently underway; driven by the need to improve both productivity and environmental performance. This research partnership will provide important fundamental information about the complex chemistries of these high temperature processes. This project will assist these process improvements and will provide competitive advantage to Australian industry.Read moreRead less
A new methodology for the measurement of transition metals ions in complex, high temperature oxide systems relevant to non-ferrous metal production. Complex multi-component molten oxide phases, known commonly as slags, are used in the high temperature production and refining of metals. The slag systems of commercial interest contain transition metals species, such as, Fe2+, Fe3+. Each of these species behaves as if it were a separate chemical component. Researchers at the University of Queensla ....A new methodology for the measurement of transition metals ions in complex, high temperature oxide systems relevant to non-ferrous metal production. Complex multi-component molten oxide phases, known commonly as slags, are used in the high temperature production and refining of metals. The slag systems of commercial interest contain transition metals species, such as, Fe2+, Fe3+. Each of these species behaves as if it were a separate chemical component. Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a new methodolgy, which enables the concentrations of these transition metal ions to be measured.
These types of measurements cannot be made with any of the techniques currently in use. The study will provide data on high temperature slags in a number of industrially and scientifically important systems. This approach will be applicable to a wide range of chemical systems in the fields of extractive metallurgy, materials science and geology; systems which could not previously be characterised.Read moreRead less
Improvements in the pyrometallurgical processing of nickel oxide and laterite ores at QNI Yabulu, North Queensland. The QNI Yabulu operation in Queensland is an important supplier of nickel and cobalt metals to the export market. The company is planning to expand the scale of the operations but is faced with two important sustainability issues. One is the recent changes to the European regulations that require very low levels of residual nickel oxide in the nickel metal product. The second issue ....Improvements in the pyrometallurgical processing of nickel oxide and laterite ores at QNI Yabulu, North Queensland. The QNI Yabulu operation in Queensland is an important supplier of nickel and cobalt metals to the export market. The company is planning to expand the scale of the operations but is faced with two important sustainability issues. One is the recent changes to the European regulations that require very low levels of residual nickel oxide in the nickel metal product. The second issue relates to ensuring the supply and improved recovery of nickel and cobalt from oxide-based ores. Further fundamental scientific information is required to provide improved understanding of the complex chemical reactions occurring during the high temperature treatment of these materials, and to guide improvements in product quality, recovery and process efficiencyRead moreRead less
ADVANCED THERMODYNAMIC AND PROCESS MODELS FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE METAL SMELTING TECHNOLOGIES - A COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM IN PYROMETALLURGY. This 5-year ARC Linkage project developed by the Pyrometallurgy Research Centre, UQ brings together several consortia of major mineral companies in a genuinely collaborative way to address a range of complex technical problems associated with the high temperature chemical processing of minerals and metals.
The UQ research team brings new state-of-the- ....ADVANCED THERMODYNAMIC AND PROCESS MODELS FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE METAL SMELTING TECHNOLOGIES - A COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM IN PYROMETALLURGY. This 5-year ARC Linkage project developed by the Pyrometallurgy Research Centre, UQ brings together several consortia of major mineral companies in a genuinely collaborative way to address a range of complex technical problems associated with the high temperature chemical processing of minerals and metals.
The UQ research team brings new state-of-the-art research methodologies, and experimental and computer modelling techniques to provide scientifically important research outcomes which can be used by the industry. The research program will provide fundamental thermodynamic and physical property information on the complex chemical systems encountered in industrial processes, powerful computer models, and applied research outputs for industry. The project will also importantly provide research training in the field pyrometallurgy, deliver competitive advantage to the Australian mineral industry and bring economic benefits particularly to regional Australia.
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Numerical modelling of deformation partitioning and its role in metamorphism, tectonism and mineralization. Targeting blind mineralization is the biggest problem facing the Australian mining industry. The modelling developed in this project will integrate deformation, fluid and chemical processes and provide a means for understanding the deformation partitioning that localizes epigenetic ore regionally as well as along portions of large-scale structures. Applying this to known ore deposits may ....Numerical modelling of deformation partitioning and its role in metamorphism, tectonism and mineralization. Targeting blind mineralization is the biggest problem facing the Australian mining industry. The modelling developed in this project will integrate deformation, fluid and chemical processes and provide a means for understanding the deformation partitioning that localizes epigenetic ore regionally as well as along portions of large-scale structures. Applying this to known ore deposits may delineate adjacent plus regionally distributed zones where the deformation event responsible for mineralization is locally present at sufficient intensity to form ore. This would allow targeted deep drilling in ground with no ore close to the surface saving millions in drilling costs and dramatically increasing the financial viability of this industry. Read moreRead less