Division of Environmental and Life Sciences

News From the Deane
The weekly update from the Dean of Division, Prof Liz Deane

Molecular Ecology of Cryptosporidium in Rural and Urban NSW
Another new ARC Linkage Project in ELS

Opportunities
- Australia-Israel Scientific Exchange Foundation Postgraduate Fellowship
- Volunteer Opportunities with the Indigenous Bioresources Research Group
- Three

Events
- Biological Sciences Seminar: "Origin and Diversity of Class 1 Integrons"
- "My Life in Science": Public lecture by Nobel Prize Winner Professor Peter Agre
- ELS Seminar Series

News from the Dean

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you all enjoyed the Queen's birthday long weekend, despite the very welcome rain! Once again, it is the end of another semester with the exam period about to begin, and lots of marking still to be done.

Congratulations to Amith Vasantha Kumar for winning the CBMS832 Pet Protein competition proudly run by Bridget Mabbutt. Amith is one of our international students in the successful MBiotech program. Further details and photos in next week's edition of Science News.

Some opportunities have come across the desk for this week:-

Finally, a reminder that the end of semester BBQ is on Friday 22 June at 12:30 in the Biology garden, E8A. Please RSVP to elshead@els.mq.edu.au .

Till next week

Liz

[Back to top]

_________________________________________________________

Molecular Ecology of Cryptosporidium in Rural and Urban NSW

Molecular Ecology of Cryptosporidium in Rural and Urban NSW

by Paula Beggs, Belinda Ferrari and Michelle Power

In recent years NSW Department of Health records demonstrate that the incidence of cryptosporidiosis is on the rise in urban and rural NSW. In 2005, notifications increased by over 100% compared to 2004. Patterns suggest that Cryptosporidiosis outbreaks are frequent in rural areas with some rural towns being described as ‘hotspots’ due to repeated outbreaks. In NSW the diagnostic test used for Cryptosporidium is a presence absence test only. The lack of genetic analysis means that very little information exists in Australia on the relative contribution certain species have on human disease burden or outbreaks, making it is impossible to identify infection sources.

This partnership will provide a rigorous assessment of Cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in rural and urban areas providing NSW Health with information for future management and disease prevention. Effective management and prevention of this disease requires knowledge, relevant to the Australian environment, of the contribution of Cryptosporidium species to human disease. A multi-disciplinary approach encompassing epidemiology, molecular biology and climatology will provide comprehensive knowledge of Cryptosporidium transmission cycles in humans in Australia. This research is significant to rural communities as it will identify the risk factors associated with repeated outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis in regional areas, enabling NSW Health to develop effective management strategies for disease prevention throughout Australia.

[Back to top]

_________________________________________________________

ELS Congratulates Hatch Stokes

It's recently been announced that Hatch is the incoming President Elect of the Australian Society for Microbiology

In making his announcement, Chris Daly, General Manager of the society declared that "Professor Stokes has filled the role of Vice President, Scientific Affairs over the past few years with great esteem, heading the National Scientific Advisory Committee and will make a fantastic future President of the Society".

Hatch will serve one year as President elect and will then take over from current President, Associate Professor Keryn Christiansen, for two years.

The ASM is a not-for-profit organisation, formed in 1959 as a learned society devoted to furthering the science of microbiology. The ASM became an incorporated professional society in 1976, and now has a membership of around 3,000.

[Back to top]

_________________________________________________________

Opportunities

_________________________________________________________

The Australia-Israel Scientific Exchange Foundation Postgraduate Fellowship Award

The Australia-Israel Scientific Exchange Foundation (AISEF) was established in 1997, with the specific vision to nurture ties between the academic institutions of Australia and Israel.

The Australia-Israel Scientific Exchange Foundation serves the academic communities of Australia and Israel, and the enrichment, which the cooperation and collaboration between the two countries bring, can be shared by all. The Foundation established an award for postgraduate students in Australian and Israeli universities to undertake part of their research for their PhD in matching institutions in Israel and Australia. The award, AU$5,000 for a period of up to six months, has been awarded to nine Australian and Israeli students. The funds for this award have come from private donations.

Applications for 2008 Fellowships close on Friday, 27 July 2007 for both Israeli and Australian students. Application information and forms are available from http://www.swinburne.edu.au/hosting/aisef//index.html

_________________________________________________________

Volunteers Required: Indigenous Bioresources Research Group

If you are interested in science education, indigenous communities and want to give some of your time, this opportunity may interest you.

I am looking for volunteers for the Indigenous Bioresources Research Group's (IBRG's) Indigenous Education Science Show being held in NAIDOC Week, 17-1 July, Hindemith Ave Centre, Emmerton Primary School, Western Sydney.

Volunteers will participate in a range of chemistry and/or microbiology experiments as part of the Science Show Tent and will demonstrate these activities to Indigenous High School Students. Volunteers will obtain valuable experience in communication, teaching and demonstrating, as well as assisting Aboriginal students to participate in further education.

Volunteers will need to participate in a training program either on the 16 July or during a half day session in the week of the 9-13 July (to be arranged) and participate in at least one of the days of the 17, 18 or 19 July.

Please contact Joanne Jamie on, 9850 8283, joanne.jamie@mq.edu.au or Dave Harrintgton on 9850 8175, harry_668@hotmail.com

_________________________________________________________

[Back to top]

Events

_________________________________________________________

Biological Sciences Seminar

"Origin and Diversity of Class 1 Integrons"

by Prof. Michael Gillings, Macquarie University

Wednesday 13 June, 1:00-2:00 pm, in E8A, rm 290

Abstract: Integrons are genetic elements found in Bacteria. They are able to capture and express genes from other species. This activity results in the instantaneous acquisition of new phenotypes, and generates considerable variation in genome content, even between cells of an individual species. The first integrons to be described (Class 1) are notorious for their role in the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in clinical pathogens. Our recent work shows that Class1 integrons can also be found in many natural environments, and we now have evidence that all the Class1 integrons found in these clinical pathogens have a single, and recent, common ancestor in the Betaproteobacteria.

_________________________________________________________

"Brain Science": Public Lecture at UNSW

Nobel Prize Winner Professor Peter Agre will speak about his "Life in Science" on 11 July at the Theatrette, Parliament House, Macquarie Street.

Further information and RSVP to Christine.conolly@osmr.nsw.gov.au by 22 June.

_________________________________________________________

ELS Seminar Series

Departments in ELS host seminars covering a wide range of topics associated with ongoing research projects and other areas of interest. The seminars are delivered by academics, research staff, and students from within the Division, as well as guest speakers from other institutions and industry. Details of times, dates, locations and topics of seminars to be held over the next few weeks are listed here.

_________________________________________________________

[Back to top]

Snippets

Wasps controlling NZ's weevil problem
Latest results in from the field show that a tiny Irish wasp released early last year is hitting adult clover root weevils hard in the North Island.

Genes behind common diseases found
Scientists have isolated at least 25 genes that cause seven of the most common hereditary diseases including diabetes and arthritis in the world's largest genetic study.

Future of cervical screening
Around half a million new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed worldwide each year, resulting in a quarter of a million deaths, second only to breast cancer in women.

Global warming causes bat decline
A central eastern Queensland mine has turned up bat fossils which show climate change has had a negative impact on the state's bat population.

Climate change threatens fragile turtles
An unfortunate reality is that many of our most fragile species will have to bear the full force of the consequences of climate change.

Laziness increases back pain risk
Officeworkers who rarely exercise are at increased risk of back injuries, according to UQ researchers working on a European Space Agency study.

Link between stroke and sight loss
A scientist has uncovered evidence that could explain why some stroke patients have trouble maintaining a stable image of their visual world when they make eye movements.

Refugees: healthy as Australians
Refugees in Australia have relatively low rates of hospital use, but they may be experiencing barriers to accessing hospital-based health care.

Obesity: a family affair
Children of overweight or single mothers have a greater likelihood of being overweight or obese, new research has found.

Polynesians linked to poultry population
Prehistoric Polynesians, not European voyagers, may have brought chickens to the Americas, according to new research.

Fight for drug free sport
New research on growth hormone doping takes the international sporting community one step closer to stamping out drug cheats.

Coming together to save Tassie devil
CSIRO scientists have joined the battle to save Australia's iconic Tasmanian devils from the deadly cancer currently devastating devil populations.

Mice may provide Alzheimer's answers
Researchers are another step closer to understanding Alzheimer's disease due to the similarity between human brain changes and those exhibited by mouse models of the disease.

[Back to top]

__________________________________________