Using ‘omic and digital technologies toward better fasciolosis control. In Australia, liver fluke disease caused by Fasciola hepatica causes major economic losses to livestock production. Triclabendazole is the most effective drug for parasite control, however, resistance to this drug has emerged and continues to spread in Australia. This project expects to create a novel resource to identify new drug targets, generate new knowledge about the genetic composition of F. hepatica populations and un ....Using ‘omic and digital technologies toward better fasciolosis control. In Australia, liver fluke disease caused by Fasciola hepatica causes major economic losses to livestock production. Triclabendazole is the most effective drug for parasite control, however, resistance to this drug has emerged and continues to spread in Australia. This project expects to create a novel resource to identify new drug targets, generate new knowledge about the genetic composition of F. hepatica populations and unravel the genetic determinants underlying triclabendazole resistance. The curation of functionally-annotated genetic data for F. hepatica populations will underpin the development of diagnostic tests, drugs and vaccines to deliver a new generation of intervention strategies to control liver fluke disease.Read moreRead less
Cracking the code of snails to elucidate parasite disease transmission. In Australia, a disease caused by liver flukes causes major economic losses to livestock production. The role of Australian pond snails as intermediate hosts for this parasite is poorly understood. This project aims to explore the phylogeography, biology and genomics of these snails. It expects to create novel molecular resources for important snail species and verify their roles as key vectors of flatworm parasites. The cur ....Cracking the code of snails to elucidate parasite disease transmission. In Australia, a disease caused by liver flukes causes major economic losses to livestock production. The role of Australian pond snails as intermediate hosts for this parasite is poorly understood. This project aims to explore the phylogeography, biology and genomics of these snails. It expects to create novel molecular resources for important snail species and verify their roles as key vectors of flatworm parasites. The curation of genomic and transcriptomic data sets, and elucidation of snail–parasite interactions will underpin the development of environmental diagnostic tests and deliver a new generation of intervention strategies to reduce the burden of liver fluke disease through the control of their snail intermediate hosts.Read moreRead less
Understanding uterine contractility for reducing newborn lamb mortality. The project aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying normal and dysfunctional uterine contractions in labouring ewes. Significantly, ~20% of newborn lambs die within days of birth, costing the Australian sheep industry more than $780 million annually. Difficult lambing is the leading cause of lamb mortality and weak uterine contractions are the most important contributor to difficult labour (dystocia). Intended outcomes ....Understanding uterine contractility for reducing newborn lamb mortality. The project aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying normal and dysfunctional uterine contractions in labouring ewes. Significantly, ~20% of newborn lambs die within days of birth, costing the Australian sheep industry more than $780 million annually. Difficult lambing is the leading cause of lamb mortality and weak uterine contractions are the most important contributor to difficult labour (dystocia). Intended outcomes include a better understanding of dysfunctional labour contractions in sheep, and this knowledge could then contribute to the identification of more specific targets for genetic testing for dystocia. The benefits should include more specific aids for selective breeding programs for improved productivity and profitability.Read moreRead less