Investigating insect neuronal plasticity under genetic and chemical stress. This project aims to study receptors that translate chemical signals into electrical signals in animal brains. These receptors are targeted by insecticides used to control the major pests that afflict agriculture and domestic pets. The project aims to establish the functions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in several behaviours and in insecticide responsiveness in the model insect, Drosophila melanogaster, using mut ....Investigating insect neuronal plasticity under genetic and chemical stress. This project aims to study receptors that translate chemical signals into electrical signals in animal brains. These receptors are targeted by insecticides used to control the major pests that afflict agriculture and domestic pets. The project aims to establish the functions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in several behaviours and in insecticide responsiveness in the model insect, Drosophila melanogaster, using mutations that knock out the function of receptor subunits. Prior research has pointed to plasticity in the expression and transport of these receptors in response to genetic and environmental change. This project aims to identify the underlying mechanisms that provide the insect with resilience, to provide better options for pest control.Read moreRead less
Novel Nano-Pesticides for Animal Healthcare. This project aims to develop a new nano-pesticide with improved safety and performance. Ticks and buffalo fly cause over $400 million each year in economic losses to the Australian livestock industry and are currently treated with highly toxic synthetic pesticides. Spinosad, a naturally derived pesticide with low environmental impact and low toxicity, will be loaded into silica hollow spheres which will improve adhesion to skin or hair and protect aga ....Novel Nano-Pesticides for Animal Healthcare. This project aims to develop a new nano-pesticide with improved safety and performance. Ticks and buffalo fly cause over $400 million each year in economic losses to the Australian livestock industry and are currently treated with highly toxic synthetic pesticides. Spinosad, a naturally derived pesticide with low environmental impact and low toxicity, will be loaded into silica hollow spheres which will improve adhesion to skin or hair and protect against ultraviolet degradation. The nano-spinosad pesticide is expected to have enhanced efficacy and effective duration in field conditions compared to conventional pesticides, significantly reducing the cost of pest control.Read moreRead less
Developing a paradigm shift in new pharmaceutical and agrochemical design. This project will provide a paradigm shift in the design of new medicines and farming chemicals. The outcome of this research will be the efficient generation of diverse chemicals having real possibilities to improve global health and food security in the future.
Anticipating, Combating and Exploiting the Evolution of Pesticide Resistance in Australian Agricultural Pests and Disease Vectors. Synthetic insecticides have resulted in an explosion in food production through effective insect control. However, insects have begun to evolve resistance against one of the most widely used classes of insecticides (organophosphates) via mutations in carboxylesterases (CBEs). To address this problem, the ability to anticipate further evolution, combat it and exploit ....Anticipating, Combating and Exploiting the Evolution of Pesticide Resistance in Australian Agricultural Pests and Disease Vectors. Synthetic insecticides have resulted in an explosion in food production through effective insect control. However, insects have begun to evolve resistance against one of the most widely used classes of insecticides (organophosphates) via mutations in carboxylesterases (CBEs). To address this problem, the ability to anticipate further evolution, combat it and exploit it for our own benefit is needed. This project aims to anticipate evolution by simulating it in the laboratory, allowing for the best preparation for change. New pesticides will be designed to combat insecticide resistance based upon the molecular structure of an insect CBE. This project aims to exploit these newly evolved enzymes to create biosensors and decontamination agents.Read moreRead less