Functional identification of vaccine targets in pathogenic mycoplasmas. Mycoplasmas are important bacterial pathogens in domestic animals that are incompletely controlled by current vaccines. As a result current control measures for the diseases they cause rely on ongoing treatment with antibiotics. This project will aim to use functional genomics and metabolomics to determine the function of specific surface proteins of a model mycoplasma to identify targets for novel approaches to vaccines aga ....Functional identification of vaccine targets in pathogenic mycoplasmas. Mycoplasmas are important bacterial pathogens in domestic animals that are incompletely controlled by current vaccines. As a result current control measures for the diseases they cause rely on ongoing treatment with antibiotics. This project will aim to use functional genomics and metabolomics to determine the function of specific surface proteins of a model mycoplasma to identify targets for novel approaches to vaccines against these pathogens, and to then assess the potential for inclusion of these proteins in vaccines. Ultimately this will lead to improved vaccines against these important pathogens, improving agricultural productivity and reducing the use of antibiotics in intensively raised livestock.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100121
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,824.00
Summary
Effects of environmental heat stress on male fertility in livestock species. This project aims to address the role of ambient heat stress in animal fertility by examining its mechanisms and developing treatments to alleviate its effects. Using an interdisciplinary approach that brings together veterinary sciences, reproductive biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics, the project expects to improve our understanding of how high environmental temperatures lead to reduced fertility, pregnancy loss ....Effects of environmental heat stress on male fertility in livestock species. This project aims to address the role of ambient heat stress in animal fertility by examining its mechanisms and developing treatments to alleviate its effects. Using an interdisciplinary approach that brings together veterinary sciences, reproductive biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics, the project expects to improve our understanding of how high environmental temperatures lead to reduced fertility, pregnancy loss and compromised inheritance in large animals, and to develop effective interventions. The resulting benefits include enhanced productivity and resilience of Australia’s livestock industries in the face of a changing climate.
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A next-generation whole parasite bovine Babesia vaccine. . In Australia, Babesia parasites cause most of the severe and often fatal cases of cattle-tick fever, a globally significant tick-borne disease. It can be prevented by a live-attenuated parasite vaccine which has critical limitations of a 4-day shelf-life and risk of severe disease if administered to adult cattle. This project aims to evaluate in cattle a novel whole parasite Babesia bovis vaccine that cannot cause disease and can be pres ....A next-generation whole parasite bovine Babesia vaccine. . In Australia, Babesia parasites cause most of the severe and often fatal cases of cattle-tick fever, a globally significant tick-borne disease. It can be prevented by a live-attenuated parasite vaccine which has critical limitations of a 4-day shelf-life and risk of severe disease if administered to adult cattle. This project aims to evaluate in cattle a novel whole parasite Babesia bovis vaccine that cannot cause disease and can be preserved as an off-the-shelf product without losing efficacy. The expected outcome is a significantly improved vaccine for a major infectious disease that affects primary food production. As the disease imposes a major economic burden, it will have great benefit for the Australian livestock industry.
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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
Harnessing innate immunity to mitigate bovine respiratory disease. Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is the most significant health problem faced by the beef industry worldwide, causing economic losses of up to $40 million annually in Australia alone. This Project aims to assess an immunostimulant for its ability to induce resistance to infection with bovine respiratory viruses associated with BRD. The Project is expected to generate fundamental new knowledge in veterinary virology. Expected outc ....Harnessing innate immunity to mitigate bovine respiratory disease. Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is the most significant health problem faced by the beef industry worldwide, causing economic losses of up to $40 million annually in Australia alone. This Project aims to assess an immunostimulant for its ability to induce resistance to infection with bovine respiratory viruses associated with BRD. The Project is expected to generate fundamental new knowledge in veterinary virology. Expected outcomes include scholarly publications. The Project will provide significant benefits, such as advances to fundamental knowledge, training of higher research degree students and proof-of-concept data to promote collaborations with commercial partners to develop novel treatment strategies to limit BRD.Read moreRead less