Parasites can infect humans, animals and plants causing severe problems such as Malaria and reduced crop production.

About

A website for Orientation week.

Groups

A group of seven diverse people smiling and standing together in front of a building with greenery.

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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Five people smiling and sitting at an outdoor bench in a parklike setting with trees and a building in the background.

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

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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 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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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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Projects

Identification and characterisation of membrane transport proteins

The aim of this project is to develop an integrated model for ion and cell volume homeostasis in the malaria parasite and its host red blood cell.

Plant pathogens grow in the extracellular spaces of plant issues. Many fungal and oomycete pathogens, including stripe rust, form specialized feeding structures known as haustoria that penetrate host cell walls. Project: Characterising the genomes of wheat stripe rust. Project: Protein function in plant immunity

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, PhD students

People

Membrane transport proteins of the malaria parasite and their roles in conferring drug resistance

Advances in malaria research are hindered by the limited inventory of available molecular tools. Culturing and genetic manipulation are quite demanding and cumbersome in comparison to other organisms. Major discoveries very often go hand in hand with the application and development of new techniques. We strive to make a contribution to the repertoire of available techniques.

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, Master, PhD students

People

Functional genomics of C. elegans to identify and validate new antinematode drug targets.

News

What is a parasite - pics

"A parasite an organism that lives in or on an organism of another species (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other's expense". Nonetheless, I was surprised to find that the question “What is a Parasite?” was not as clear-cut as I expected.

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In fiction and popular culture, parasitic characters appear as a metaphor for the threat and spread of disease.

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I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to do a malaria physiology project with Kiaran Kirk and Kevin Saliba, and I have been doing research ever since.

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Professor Geoff McFadden has been awarded the Ralph Slatyer Medal for research in understanding the malaria parasite.

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Alex Maier has been elected as a Fellow of the Australian Society for Parasitology.

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Linden Muellner-Wong received her RSB Director's Prize in Honours award from RSB Director, Allen Rodrigo. Image Sharyn Wragg.

Linden Muellner-Wong has won a 2017 RSB Director's Prize in Honours.

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