Research Projects
Assessing the impacts of myrtle rust on forest dynamics and function (Old ID 31154)
Darren Crayn
01 Oct 2023 - 30 Jun 2027
This project investigates the consequences for environmental health of myrtle rust – an exotic fungal pathogen - infection on kanuka box (Tristaniopsis exiliflora). Kanuka box is a tree that grows along fast-flowing, rocky watercourses of northeast Queensland and is important for stabilising banks and preventing erosion within catchments of the Great Barrier Reef. Myrtle rust can kill kanuka box and is therefore a serious ecosystem-level threat that urgently needs to be better understood to assist in conservation management.
Adverse reactions to seafood: Molecular and immunological approaches in managing an Australasian epidemic (Old ID 19354)
Ludwig Lopata
01 Apr 2012 - 31 Dec 2016
Over 4 million Australians suffer from allergies with a financial burden in excess of $7 billion. Seafood is an increasingly important food allergy worldwide and is typically life-long, affecting about 5% of children and 2% of adults in Australia. This research will characterise allergenic proteins from crustacean and molluscs, leading to the design of recombinant proteins. Allergenicity of modified food allergens through heating will be studied using state-of-the-art in-vivo and in-vitro systems. This fellowship will considerably advance our knowledge on the influence of structure and chemical modifications on the immunoreactivity of seafood allergen, thus providing platform knowledge for better diagnostics and future therapeutics.
Discovery of novel biomarkers for Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection related cancers - HL and NK/T lymphomas (Old ID 26515)
Denise Doolan
09 Apr 2019 - 19 Mar 2021
There is a large body of evidence indicating that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) actively contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple tumours. We hypothesize that the antibody response to EBV is altered in infection-related cancers. We are comprehensively assessing the antibody response to EBV in individuals with and without cancer (cases and controls) using our proprietary EBV proteome array, to identify an antibody signature which predicts cancer risk. The ultimate goal is an immunodiagnostic test to identify individuals in the general population who are at high risk of developing infection-related cancers. Extending previous studies, we will probe defined samples from Hodgkin Lymphoma and NK/T cell study provided by colleageus at NIH/NCI to define IgA and IgG antibody repertoires.
Seagrass monitoring for Inshore Marine South Zone for the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership (Old ID 26977)
Alexandra Carter
01 Jul 2020 - 30 Jun 2023
Continuation of annual seagrass monitoring program and development and implementation of seagrass condition report card in the south zone of the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac region.
Conservation genetics and population trends in the endangered Mahogany Glider (Petaurus gracilis) (Old ID 27035)
Eryn Chang
31 Aug 2020 - 26 Oct 2021
Forest clearances has resulted in severe habitat fragmentation that threats population connectivity and genetic diversity of Mahogany Gliders, an endangered gliding possum endemic to Australian Wet Tropics. Using species distribution modelling, we aim to map the glider’s current theoretical distribution, and based on that, conducting fieldworks to collect DNA samples from different populations. These DNA samples enable us to do fine-scaled genomic analyses to estimate the population size and structures of the Mahogany Gliders, and to know whether the population suffers from inbreeding. Knowing these information helps to identify important corridors to connect populations and guide future conservation plans.
Great Barrier Reef catchments historical water quality data compilation. (Old ID 27764)
Zoe Bainbridge
03 Aug 2022 - 30 Sep 2024
Compilation of extensive historical water quality data into a single database to be made available to all researchers, modellers and end users working in the GBR catchment area, with the data to be presented in a form consistent with that currently in use by existing WQ monitoring frameworks and databases (for example the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Loads Monitoring Program).
Protein and energy requirements of grass emperor (Old ID 28953)
Leo Nankervis
01 Apr 2023 - 01 Dec 2023
This contributes to the DAFF project developing grass emperor as a new aquaculture species. Being new to aquaculture, we lack a fundamental understanding of appropriate feeds. This project will address the protein and energy requirements of grass emperor to gain baseline understanding of appropriate feed macronutrient levels.
Treatment as Prevention in Correctional Facilities in Southern Africa (TasP Prisons) (Old ID 22496)
Steph Topp
01 Aug 2015 - 31 Dec 2017
Limited data from Southern Africa suggest that concentration of HIV-infected individuals and high-risk sexual behaviours in correctional facilities may be driving HIV transmission in incarcerated populations. Despite the implications of incarceration - related HIV transmission on individual and public health, little evidence exists to guide implementation of HIV prevention strategies in these settings. One such strategy, Treatment as Prevention (TasP), offers promise to: (1) prevent HIV transmission among incarcerated men having sex with men and people who use drugs; and (2) improve inmate health and tuberculosis control. In this project we will implement TasP in three correctional facilities - one in Zambia and two in South Africa - and evaluate TasP implementation as a strategy to coordinate the HIV care continuum and assure appropriate TB assessment among HIV-infected inmates.
Gladstone Healthy Harbours Seagrass Condition Report Card. (Old ID 22645)
Alexandra Carter
01 Mar 2016 - 01 Jul 2022
Gladstone Healthy Harbours Partnership (GHHP) produces an annual report card on the condition of Gladstone Harbour. JCU TropWATER have been contracted to produce the seagrass component of the report card.
Helminth secretomes: from vaccines to novel anti-inflammatory biologics (Old ID 22726)
Alex Loukas
01 Jan 2017 - 31 Dec 2021
Over the next 5 years I will use innovative approaches to develop a pipeline of helminth vaccine antigens and immunoregulatory biologics while progressing the current lead candidates through clinical development and testing.