Molecular Microbiology

Professor Eugene Athan

Dr Carly Botheras

Dr Darcie Cooper

Deakin University

Barwon health

This project aims to better understand how and why there are various presentations of Staphylococcus aureus disease.

The project contains both clinical observational data as well as in vitro traditional microbiology and molecular biology data.

SNAP trial, Doherty Institute

Influenza A virus infection (IAV) is responsible for ~500,000 deaths globally each year. Current commercially available preventions/interventions target only the virus itself. Given the virus mutates during replication, re-formulation of vaccines is required annually and antiviral efficacy is continually monitored. The Stambas lab is focused on discovering novel interventions/therapeutics that are focused on host proteins as research in the group over the last decade has highlighted their contribution to virus clearance and immunity. We have shown that ADAMTS enzymes (components of the extracellular matrix) contribute to optimal viral immunity and assist in migration of influenza-specific lymphocytes from the mediastinal lymph node to the site of infection in the lung. Projects focus on ADAMTS biology and influenza-specific immunity using in vitro and in vivo models to better understand pathogenesis and provide insights for development of novel interventions.

This project aims to study the role of a protein known to regulate cytokine expression, the cytokine-inducible SH2- containing (CISH) in respiratory disease. The role of CISH expression following virus infection remains largely uncharacterised. We intend to define the mechanism of action and the overall contribution of CISH to influenza virus pathogenesis.

Prof Tania de Koning-Ward (Lab Head) (tania.dekoning-ward@deakin.edu.au)

Dr Natalie Counihan (Senior Postdoc)

Dr Joyanta Modak (Postdoc)

• Dissecting how malaria parasites obtain nutrients essential to their survival
• Dissecting host proteins that contribute to malaria pathogenesis
• Characterising the role of malaria aminopeptidases in haemoglobin digestion
• Dissecting how malaria parasites traffic diverse proteins to distinct cellular locations
• Screening for drugs that target malaria parasites and delineating their mode of action

Malaria is one of the world’s most devastating human health problems, give rise to ~229 million cases each year, ~409,000 of which will be fatal. Unfortunately, there is no highly efficacious licenced malaria vaccine and resistance to currently available anti-malaria drugs is widespread. Thus, there is a desperate need to identify new intervention strategies to reduce the global malaria parasite burden.

Our research program aims to investigate at a molecular level key parasite-host interactions that enable malaria parasites to thrive and survive in their host. We genetically engineer malaria parasites that infect humans and rodents in order to dissect the functional significance and contribution of parasite proteins to pathogenesis and parasite survival. By understanding the key mechanisms by which parasites are able to survive within their host and cause disease, our research is uncovering new drug and vaccine targets that can be used to prevent the large morbidity and mortality associated with malaria infections.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=de+Koning-Ward&sort=date

https://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/people/tania-de-koning-ward