Physical Sciences
Kaveh Shahbaz
- Associate Professor Chemical Engineering
- kaveh.shahbaz@jcu.edu.au
Sourav Das
- Adjunct Senior Lecturer
- sourav.das@jcu.edu.au
Gunther Paul
- Adjunct Associate Professor
- gunther.paul@jcu.edu.au
Thaddeus Wu
- Research Fellow
- thaddeus.wu@jcu.edu.au
Andrew Calcino
- Lecturer, Bioinformatics
- andrew.calcino@jcu.edu.au
Matt Field
- Professor, Promotional Chair
- matt.field@jcu.edu.au
Ulf Schmitz
- Associate Professor, Bioinformatics
- ulf.schmitz@jcu.edu.au
Ira Cooke
- Associate Professor, Bioinformatics
- ira.cooke@jcu.edu.au
Robert Streit
- Adjunct Research Fellow
- robert.streit1@jcu.edu.au
Jon Day
- Adjunct Principal Research Fellow
- jon.day1@jcu.edu.au
Circulating human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA for surveillance of HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-OPSCC)
Ulf Schmitz
01 Aug 2024 - 31 Jul 2026
We hypothesize that cHPV-DNA-based post-treatment surveillance via capture-based
NGS would have excellent negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value
(PPV) similar or superior to PCR-based testing in patients with HPV-OPSCC, leading to
improvement in outcome prediction. We also hypothesize that cHPV-DNA-based surveillance
is more cost-effective compared with standard routine clinical follow-up.
Hookworm peptide therapeutic for oral treatment of IBD (Old ID 26317)
Matt Field
01 Jan 2020 - 30 Jun 2022
We intend to develop an orally delivered peptide that can modulate the immune system and be developed as a therapeutic for inflammatory bowel disease. We have identified a peptide, derived from a hookworm protein, that alleviates the clinical symptoms of experimental colitis when orally administered to mice. The peptide has bioactivity with human cells ex vivo and displays desirable drug-like properties. The aim of this project is to acquire further data on the mechanism of action and formulation conditions to facilitate formal product development prior to licensing and clinical trials.
A rationally designed vaccine for tuberculosis (Old ID 26852)
Matt Field
01 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2025
Tuberculosis kills more people than any other infectious disease, and approximately one third of the world's population is latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Reactivation of latent tuberculosis is associated with immunosuppressive conditions, most notably AIDS and type 2 diabetes. This project aims to investigate correlates of protection against tuberculosis in these immunosuppressive conditions by using innovative mouse models and human samples and to develop a new TB vaccine.
Bayesian disease mapping to identify the high-risk population within North Queensland and interventional program for oral cancer prevention. (Old ID 27439)
Matt Field
01 Dec 2021 - 01 Dec 2023
Oral cancer 5-year survival rates have remained less than 50% for several decades, despite significant improvements in treatment. This is primarily due to patients generally presenting late with advanced stages of the disease. Consequently, in many cases, oral cancer is incurable or requires extensive life-changing surgery and chemo-radiotherapy. Early diagnosis through targeted screening of high-risk population groups would result in more favourable survival rates and treatment outcomes. The aim of this project is to identify specific, local populations in Northern Queensland at increased risk of developing oral cancer with a view to developing a target screening program for oral cancers.
Genomics for Undiagnosed Infectious Disease Evaluation and Diagnosis in Northern Australia (GUIDED-North Australia) (Old ID 23362)
Matt Field
01 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2019
The early detection and diagnosis of infectious diseases currently relies on a best guess of likely causative agents with specific testing for those agents. In this project, we aim to evaluate a genomics approach for the diagnosis of febrile illnesses of unknown cause in Northern Australia. The project will be conducted in major hospitals across three different regions of Northern Australia: Cairns (Queensland), Darwin (Northern Territory) and Broome (Western Australia). It is likely that most emerging infectious diseases initially present as undifferentiated fevers. It follows then that investigation of undifferentiated fevers provides targeted surveillance for new and emerging infectious diseases.
Using portable long-read sequencing to diagnose Chronic Kidney Disease in regional North QLD Using portable long-read sequencing to diagnose Chronic Kidney Disease in regional North Using portable long-read sequencing to diagnose Chronic Kidney Disease (Old ID 27478)
Matt Field
21 Jan 2022 - 28 Jul 2024
This project addresses the early diagnosis of genetic predispositions for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), which poses an increasing burden on the North Queensland population and unequally affects the Indigenous Australian peoples. We will develop a mobile diagnostic pipeline that allows a rapid and cost-efficient screening for genetic CKD predispositions and circulating biomarkers using a targeted, DNA/RNA long-read sequencing approach.
Improving clinical pathways for abdominal aortic aneurysm through incorporating biomarkers (Old ID 27513)
Matt Field
01 Jun 2023 - 31 May 2028
MRF2015999
20 million people worldwide have weakening of their main abdominal artery (abdominal aortic aneurysm; AAA) and are at high risk of both major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and AAA related events (AAA repair and rupture-related death). Most AAAs are identified at a small size when their risk of rupture is low. Management of small AAA focuses on repeat aortic imaging every 6 months to identify when the threshold diameter (50mm in women and 55mm in men) is reached for elective surgical AAA repair. Most small AAAs continue to grow in size and eventually undergo repair. No drugs have been shown to limit AAA growth and the clinical pathway focuses on identifying those needing surgery rather than medical management. There are no established means to individualise care. Our interviews with patients and health professionals indicate that the number one deficiency in current AAA management is the lack of individualising medical management to reduce the high incidence of MACE and AAA related events. Our international AAA alliance is uniquely placed due to our resources (biobank-registry) and IP (bioinformatics, clinical, engineering software, genomics, biomarkers, machine learning and pathogenesis) to addresses this unmet clinical need.
Symbiont acquisition of out-planted restoration corals produced using Assisted Gene Flow
Ira Cooke
31 Mar 2024 - 30 Jun 2026
This study aims to evaluate the effect of coral host genetics on symbiont uptake in the context of an assisted gene flow (AGF) experiment. AGF corals arising from parental crosses with divergent genetic backgrounds were deployed during a thermal stress event to evaluate survival rates, with survivors collected subsequently. This investigation aims to analyse potential differences in Symbiodiniaceae composition among coral juveniles with distinct genetic backgrounds and assess if offspring maintain fidelity to parental symbiont composition. Additionally, the study will examine whether survival rates are influenced by symbiont compositions. Understanding the adaptability of non-native corals to new environments and their compatibility with local symbionts is crucial for predicting their survival outcomes and the efficacy of AGF.
Climate Vulnerability Index – Yuku Baja Muliku phase 2
Jon Day
28 Jun 2024 - 31 Dec 2027
Climate change poses an existential threat to global heritage. With rising sea-levels, more extreme weather events and aridification, the extensive impacts of climate are evident at heritage sites globally and the pace of this change is startling. In most parts of the world the rate of loss is exceeding adaptive capacity and this deficit is only getting worse. This includes the land and sea country of Indigenous peoples in Australia, for which climate change is becoming more and more of an issue, requiring more knowledge and skills to help address the management options. Decisions on conservation and preservation begin with a detailed understanding of a place's vulnerability. The choices made will directly impact that ability to effectively integrate the goals of safeguarding heritage, adapting and mitigating climate change, and driving sustainable activities. This project will apply the Climate Vulnerability Index process to assess the vulnerability of the Yuku Baja Muliku country and people.
Can portable genome sequencing provide a rapid, comprehensive, point-of-care diagnostic test for Far North Queensland hospitals and healthcare centres? (Old ID 26762)
Matt Field
17 Feb 2020 - 17 Feb 2022
Respiratory disease, fevers, and sepsis are common in FNQ and treatment often requires admission to hospital. These infections have many different causes, and diagnosing them requires multiple tests that take weeks to perform. Consequently, patients are treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics before a pathogen is identified, leading to poorer outcomes for the patient and contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections. We will trial new genome sequencing technology as a point-of-care diagnostic test for fever, sepsis, and pneumonia at Cairns Hospital, and test the hypothesis that this approach will increase the proportion of infections that are diagnosed and reduce the time-to-diagnosis.
Recurrent miscalling of missense variation from short-read genome sequence data
- 2019
- BioMed Central
- Researchers:Matt Field
Patchy delivery of functions undermines functional redundancy in a high diversity system
- 2019
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- Researchers:Robert StreitDavid Bellwood
A 3D perspective on sediment accumulation in algal turfs: implications of coral reef flattening
- 2020
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Researchers:Robert StreitDavid Bellwood
The meaning of the term 'function' in ecology: a coral reef perspective
- 2019
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Researchers:David BellwoodRobert Streit
Start Date:
01 Jan 2021
Start Date:
01 Jan 2014
Title:
Conference Session Chair x 4
Start Date:
01 Jan 2017
Start Date:
01 Jan 2022
Start Date:
01 Jan 2020
Start Date:
01 Jan 2018
Title:
International speaker x 7
Start Date:
01 Jan 2014
Title:
National Speaker x 6
Start Date:
01 Jan 2014
Title:
A*STAR visitor
Start Date:
01 Jan 2018