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Host-microbe biology

Several groups in RSB, spanning all three Divisions, work on topics at the interface between microbes and their host.

About

Several groups in RSB, spanning all three Divisions, work on topics at the interface between microbes and their host. The School has expertise in both plant and animal hosts, pathogenic, parasitic and symbiotic microbes and projects investigating host-microbe interactions at the genomic, cellular, organismal and ecological level. Fundamental knowledge about the interactions between microbes and their hosts is critical for understanding natural ecosystems and their evolution, improving plant biomass for food production and development of vaccines and drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Groups

An image showing a chemical structure on a blue background next to a colorful illustration of a dendritic cell.

The Altin group on tumour immunology and liposome targeting.

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We use powerful biological resources provided by C. elegans to study aspects of nematode biochemistry, molecular biology and behaviour, and control methods.

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A digital molecular model showing a complex protein embedded within a cellular membrane, surrounded by blue and red molecules, with chemical structures displayed below.

The Brock lab loves membrane proteins; looking at them in atomic detail, discovering new drug molecules, and engineering them to create new biosensors. Join us!

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Fahrer group

We are working on a very simple and inexpensive cancer immunotherapy treatment, and a bioinformatics study looking for novel proteins in different genomes.

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A possom on a tree

The aim of our research is to understand the ecology and evolution of interactions between plants and animals in the Australian biota.

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A 3D rendering of a tangled purple protein chain with two green molecules embedded within it.

We aim to identify new potential targets for antibacterial agents, using structural biology, biochemistry and bacteriology methods.

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Close-up of a green leaf covered in fine, white frost against a blurred orange background.

We investigate the molecular basis of disease and disease resistance in tomato (leaf mould and Fusarium wilt resistance) and flax (flax rust resistance).​

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We study membrane transport processes in the Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria.

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A close-up photo of a unique green and maroon orchid with elongated, curved petals and stripes, set against a soft-focus green background.

Our main research interest is in fungal-plant-interactions, both applied and pure research, on a range of important pathogens.

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Maier group

The Maier Group focusses on the identification of molecules involved in malaria pathogenesis and transmission.

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Fluorescent microscopy image showing a red-stained filamentous structure with a detailed blue-highlighted component at the top, all set against a dark background.

We are interested in the molecular mechanisms controlling nodule development in legumes, and how this is linked to other aspects of root architecture.

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Logo for ANU Bee Lab featuring a stylized bee above the letters "ANU" with "BEE LAB" in a yellow rectangle.

Our research actually spans may study systems and research questions. But the evolution of honey bee parasites and diseases and is a major focus.

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A diagram showing the interaction between microRNA and target mRNA, with images of different growth stages of a plant.

The principal interest of the lab is gene silencing mediated by microRNAs, with a focus on microRNAs that control plant disease resistance.

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Illustration of a green plant with multiple leaves, some of which have yellow spots, on a white background.

Rathjen group focuses on all aspects of plant immunity, characterising the fascinating interplay between host and pathogen.

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A close-up of a mosquito feeding on human skin, with a droplet of blood visible.

The Saliba Group is investigating vitamin utilisation pathways in the red blood cell stage of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

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A group of people smiling for a photo on a sunny beach with waves in the background.

Our team focuses on questions around plant biosecurity in Australia by studying the interaction between plants and their fungal pathogen.

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The Solomon group focuses on pathogens of wheat that threaten food security and stability.

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Group photo

We study the basic biology of parasites, with the hope that such knowledge can be used in developing new treatment options against these formidable foes.

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Microscopic view of cells with prominent nuclei, showing detailed internal structures.

We investigate the molecular mechanism of the O-antigen modification in S. flexneri by studying the structure proteins responsible for these changes.

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Illustration showing various colored molecular structures superimposed on a plant image with yellow nodules on its stems.

We aim to understand the molecular basis of the interactions between plant hosts and the microorganisms, particularly fungi, that colonise them.

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Projects

Chytrid fungal infections are responsible for the extinction of over 90 frog species. In 1998, Australian researchers identified the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) as the causative agent for chytridiomycosis, a deadly skin disease affecting frog populations globally.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Master, PhD students

People

This project uses next-generation and third-gen sequencing to characterize the genomes of wheat stripe rust, a severe fungal pathogen on wheat crops worldwide. We use these data to identify rust effector proteins to describe their roles in the pathogenesis and host resistance. New projects in this area include the use of epigenomics to understand the rapid evolution of these devastating fungal pathogens. You should have a strong background in molecular biology, and experience or interest in coding using languages such as Python or R.

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, PhD students

People

In recent years, C. elegans (a soil-dwelling nematode) has become an attractive animal model to study host-pathogen interactions. My group is investigating the feasibility of this model to study Shigella pathogenesis at the molecular level.

Student intake

Open for Master, PhD students

People

This project will use and develop chemically caged forms of plant hormones for cell specific activation using multiphoton confocal microscopy. The main application is to test the role of cell type specificity in the control of root development by symbiotic and parasitic microbes.

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, PhD students

The environment encountered by the malaria parasite in the mosquito is very different from the surrounding in the human host (temperature, available nutrients, immune system,....). We are looking at the necessary differentiation a malaria parasite undergoes before it can be taken up from human blood by the mosquito vector. These changes are irreversible and essential for transmission. A better understanding of these processes could provide clues how to prevent the transmission of malaria and therefore deliver additional instruments in the fight against this disease.

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, Master, PhD students

People

We are using molecular biology tools and confocal microscopy to study secretion machinery of virulent proteins from plant rust pathogen.

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, Master, PhD students

People

  • Dr Peter Dodds

News

While Angus Rae focuses intently on a captivating microscopic world, he is actually working towards a solution for an environmental catastrophe occurring on a global scale.

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Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have exposed a fatal flaw in the deadly parasite that causes malaria - one of the world's biggest killers.

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Wheat

Some clever detective work by an international team of scientists has uncovered how a deadly fungus - a stem rust called Ug99 - came about through some unusual breeding habits. The discovery will help protect wheat crops around the world from devastating fungal diseases.

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