Biocontrol of foaming in activated sludge plants with bacteriophages. Activated sludge systems are the most widely used processes for treating wastewater in Australia. Yet most eventually suffer from episodes of bulking and foaming, where high levels of biosolids leave the plant with the treated waste, representing serious pollution hazards. Attempts to solve these problems have met with limited success.The highly novel biocontrol method proposed here will provide a specific, environmentally fri ....Biocontrol of foaming in activated sludge plants with bacteriophages. Activated sludge systems are the most widely used processes for treating wastewater in Australia. Yet most eventually suffer from episodes of bulking and foaming, where high levels of biosolids leave the plant with the treated waste, representing serious pollution hazards. Attempts to solve these problems have met with limited success.The highly novel biocontrol method proposed here will provide a specific, environmentally friendly and safe method to protect our rivers, streams and oceans form the harmful consequences of these problemsRead moreRead less
Improved biosecurity through the engineering of microbial ecosystems. This project aims to provide data and understanding that will help develop predictive models for changes in the distribution of drug-resistant bacteria, and surveillance and response programs for key biosecurity threats. Microorganisms, including commensals and pathogens, can live in complex communities in a range of environments including animal hosts. It is now known that these communities (known as microbiomes) can exert a ....Improved biosecurity through the engineering of microbial ecosystems. This project aims to provide data and understanding that will help develop predictive models for changes in the distribution of drug-resistant bacteria, and surveillance and response programs for key biosecurity threats. Microorganisms, including commensals and pathogens, can live in complex communities in a range of environments including animal hosts. It is now known that these communities (known as microbiomes) can exert a profound effect on animal health. This project seeks to understand where antimicrobial resistance genes reside in pig gut microbiotia and how they move between members of this complex microbial community, and to provide information on how probiotics may be used to reduce dependence on antibiotics.Read moreRead less
Understanding the mechanism of Wolbachia-mediated antiviral protection. Insects are involved in the transmission of many viral diseases of both plants and animals. A considerable number of these diseases have adverse effects for public health or cause large economic losses in agriculture. We were the first to discover that a common bacteria protects insects from virus infection. Knowledge of the mechanisms used by the bacteria to interfere with virus accumulation will facilitate novel strategies ....Understanding the mechanism of Wolbachia-mediated antiviral protection. Insects are involved in the transmission of many viral diseases of both plants and animals. A considerable number of these diseases have adverse effects for public health or cause large economic losses in agriculture. We were the first to discover that a common bacteria protects insects from virus infection. Knowledge of the mechanisms used by the bacteria to interfere with virus accumulation will facilitate novel strategies for control of virus disease. The findings of this project will enable Australian researchers and industry to design innovative approaches to control diseases that are transmitted by insects.Read moreRead less
Exploring the role of the domestic dog and wild rodents as peri-domestic reservoirs of Rickettsia felis. This project aims to explore the role of domestic dogs and wild rats as maintenance hosts for flea-borne spotted fever. Cases of this disease, transmitted to humans by the common dog and cat flea are being increasingly recognised throughout the world. The findings of this study will add significant importance to flea control in pets.
Revealing the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of avian influenza virus. This project aims to understand how avian influenza virus (AIV) emerges, evolves and spreads in wild birds. AIV has the potential to devastate the poultry industry and cause human pandemics, but the factors that shape the genetic diversity of AIV in its wild bird reservoir are poorly understood. The project plans to combine genomic, ecological and phylogenetic approaches to reveal key aspects of AIV evolution, as well a ....Revealing the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of avian influenza virus. This project aims to understand how avian influenza virus (AIV) emerges, evolves and spreads in wild birds. AIV has the potential to devastate the poultry industry and cause human pandemics, but the factors that shape the genetic diversity of AIV in its wild bird reservoir are poorly understood. The project plans to combine genomic, ecological and phylogenetic approaches to reveal key aspects of AIV evolution, as well as the risk for future viral emergence. Using sampling sites in Australia and Antarctica, it plans to investigate AIV diversity, the evolutionary dynamics of AIV in wild birds and poultry, and the role played by environmental transmission in AIV ecology.Read moreRead less
The biology of arbovirus virulence and fitness in arthropod and vertebrate hosts in vivo. In Australia, Ross River virus (RRV) represents significant concern to human health. Between 1992-2005 more than 50,000 notifications of RRV infection have been reported. While not fatal, the disease is responsible for morbidity in the community/individual that can have both social and economic costs. The project has several national benefits. It will help elucidate whether there is any association between ....The biology of arbovirus virulence and fitness in arthropod and vertebrate hosts in vivo. In Australia, Ross River virus (RRV) represents significant concern to human health. Between 1992-2005 more than 50,000 notifications of RRV infection have been reported. While not fatal, the disease is responsible for morbidity in the community/individual that can have both social and economic costs. The project has several national benefits. It will help elucidate whether there is any association between RRV strain and increased risk of RRV transmission and/or occurrence of more severe cases of human disease. It will help develop technologies that can lead towards the identification of viral markers, which could provide new avenues in the design of novel antiviral strategies.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101493
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,720.00
Summary
A glycomics approach towards the discovery of novel markers of virus transmission by mosquitoes. The incidence of human and animal diseases caused by mosquito-borne pathogens has increased at an alarming rate globally. This project utilises state-of-the-art glyco-virological approaches and an arbovirus model system to identify new markers associated with virus transmission by mosquitoes. Markers associated with transmission will be identified by establishing global glycan and lectin profiles of ....A glycomics approach towards the discovery of novel markers of virus transmission by mosquitoes. The incidence of human and animal diseases caused by mosquito-borne pathogens has increased at an alarming rate globally. This project utilises state-of-the-art glyco-virological approaches and an arbovirus model system to identify new markers associated with virus transmission by mosquitoes. Markers associated with transmission will be identified by establishing global glycan and lectin profiles of the cells derived from a major mosquito species. This will fill a significant gap in our knowledge of basic transmission mechanisms in mosquitoes. The research strategy is a world-first and the institute is an international leader in this area. Read moreRead less
Revealing the structure, evolution and sensitivity of symbioses in basal metazoa. This project will explore the complex interactions between each component of the sponge holobiont (virus, bacteria, sponge) during thermal stress. This will also provide the first molecular assessment of sponge viruses and provide insights into how sponges may adapt to a changing climate.
A Changing Climate on the Great Barrier Reef: Present and Future Implications. The Great Barrier Reef is fundamental to the economy of Australia. This national and international icon needs to be preserved in the face of a changing world to ensure on-going sustainability of our marine resources. Ocean acidification, warming water temperatures, increased freshwater disrupt the sensitive symbiotic association of corals the major structure building organisms of reefs. Understanding how these enviro ....A Changing Climate on the Great Barrier Reef: Present and Future Implications. The Great Barrier Reef is fundamental to the economy of Australia. This national and international icon needs to be preserved in the face of a changing world to ensure on-going sustainability of our marine resources. Ocean acidification, warming water temperatures, increased freshwater disrupt the sensitive symbiotic association of corals the major structure building organisms of reefs. Understanding how these environmental stressors result in the decrease in coral health is fundamental to prevent loss of our coral reefs and an important step towards preserving them for future generations.Read moreRead less