University of Queensland
Prof Paul R Young
BSc (UQ) Microbiology, PhD (London) Virology, Professor of Virology
Phone: +617 3365 4646
Email: p.young@uq.edu.au
Web: https://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/241
Prof Roy A Hall
BSc (UQ) Microbiology, PhD (JCU) Virology, Professor of Virology
Email: roy.hall@uq.edu.au
Phone: +617 3365 4647
Web: www.staff.scmb.uq.edu.au/staff/roy-hall
My laboratory employs molecular and structural biology based approaches in the study of viral replication and pathogenesis. Key steps in this process are in turn targeted for the development of improved diagnostics, vaccines and anti-viral therapeutic control strategies. Current studies are focused on three different viruses; dengue virus, a serious mosquito-borne disease in many tropical countries, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a major cause of hospitalization of children with respiratory infections and KoRV, a retrovirus of koalas which we have shown is currently invading the koala germline and is linked with high rates of cancer in this iconic species.
Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre
School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
University of Queensland,
Brisbane, 4072
AUSTRALIA
A major theme of my research is viral discovery and epidemiology. This includes isolation and genetic characterisation of new arthropod-borne viruses and elucidation of their ecology, prevalence and pathogenesis. These studies have led to the discovery of several new mosquito-borne viruses in Australia and spawned major projects for the development of novel reagents and methodologies to enhance viral detection and diagnosis. Our investigations have special focus on a newly emerged, virulent strain of West Nile virus in Australia and the potential role of insect-specific viruses in regulating its transmission by mosquito vectors.
Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre
School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
University of Queensland,
Brisbane, 4072
AUSTRALIA
Dr Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann
DVM (Copenhagen) Veterinary Medicine, PhD (Copenhagen) Virology & Pathology, Senior Lecturer in Infectious Disease Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Science, and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre
Email: h.bielefeldtohmann1@uq.edu.au
Web: www.aidrc.org.au/helle-bielefeldt-ohmann
Our main focus is on the pathogenesis and pathobiology of viral infections in the natural hosts and appropriate animal models. Current studies are focused on flaviviruses, mainly West Nile virus in horses and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus, and on feline immunodeficiency virus. We employ molecular biology, proteomics, immunologic and conventional pathology methodologies to characterize disease processes and elucidate the pathogenesis of these infections. In addition, we conduct vaccine and molecular epidemiology studies of arbovirus infections in horses.
University of Queensland
Gatton 4343
AUSTRALIA
Dr Tim J Mahony
BSc (Hons I) Biochemistry, PhD Molecular Microbiology, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation
Tel: +61 7 3346 6505
Email: t.mahony@uq.edu.au
Web: https://qaafi.uq.edu.au/profile/486/timothy-mahony
My main interests revolve around improving viral disease control in production animals, particularly cattle and poultry. My group is characterising the molecular interactions between invading pathogens and the subsequent host responses with the goal of developing new vaccine and diagnostic technologies. A key component of this work includes improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underpin and drive viral virulence and evolution. We are using next generation sequencing to sequence the genomes of herpesviruses from a variety of species including, cattle, chickens, marsupials and crocodiles. My group is also investigating the role of viral encoded microRNAs in virulence, replication and disease development. My group was one of the first in the world to apply bacterial artificial chromosome infectious clone technology for the efficient manipulation of herpesvirus genomes. We are continuing to exploit this approach to understand gene function and the development of vaccines.
University of Queensland
Brisbane 4072
AUSTRALIA
Prof Ralf G Dietzgen
Dipl Biol (Tübingen, Germany) Microbiology, Dr rer nat (Tübingen) Plant Virology, Principal Research Fellow, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Affiliate Associate Professor, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
Tel: +61 7 33466503
Email: r.dietzgen@uq.edu.au
Web: www.qaafi.uq.edu.au//?page=157981
Prof Sassan Asgari
Associate Professor Karyn Johnson
Dr Kristy Short
Dr Larisa Labzin
BSc (Iran) Entomology, PhD (U of Adelaide) Insect Virology, Associate Professor of Insect Virology, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences
Tel: +617 3365 2043
Email: s.asgari@uq.edu.au
Web: https://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/1323
BSc (Australian National University), PhD (ANU) Virology, Senior Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences
Tel: +61 7 33651358
Email: karynj@uq.edu.au
Web: https://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/1378
Australian Research Fellow, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science
Tel: +61 7 336 54226
Email: k.short@uq.edu.au
Institute for Molecular Bioscience at The University of Queensland.
Tel: +91 7 33462076
Email: l.labzin@uq.edu.au
Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
My research interests are in the discovery and biodiversity of genes, proteins and regulatory RNAs in plants and viruses and their interactions in agricultural systems. Increased knowledge of these molecular interactions will enable improved crop performance and better disease control. Special interests include the characterization of plant rhabdoviruses, dichorhaviruses and tospoviruses, virus diagnosis and molecular evolution, taxonomy of negative-sense RNA viruses, RNA silencing pathways for pest and disease resistance, and functional genomics and molecular markers in tropical horticulture.
The University of Queensland
Brisbane 4072
AUSTRALIA
Our focus is mainly to investigate the role of small non-coding RNAs (such as microRNAs) as key regulatory molecules in insect biology and host-virus interactions. Using combinations of bioinformatics, microarray, and deep sequencing analyses of small RNAs, and molecular biology tools we explore the role of differentially expressed host microRNAs in host-pathogen interactions as well as discover and investigate the role of virus-encoded microRNAs in virus replication and host manipulation. The main host-pathogen systems explored in this lab include flavivirus-mosquito-Wolbachia interaction, baculovirus-host interaction, and ascovirus-host interaction. Our long-term aim is to reduce insect populations and transmission of vector-borne viruses.
The University of Queensland
Brisbane 4072
AUSTRALIA
Insects are commonly infected with viruses. We study the interactions between viruses and their insect. Viruses and hosts are in a constant evolutionary arms race. The host evolves antiviral mechanisms to prevent virus infection, while the virus adapts to overcome these host responses. Insects are ideal hosts to understand both the host response and the virus mechanisms for controlling the host. My research group investigates the interactions between viruses and insects, primarily using Drosophila as a model. In this model we can control the genetics of both the host and the virus to tease apart the contribution of each partner to the interaction. A major focus is investigating the mechanisms and impact of Wolbachia-mediated antiviral protection in Drosophila.
University of Queensland
Brisbane 4072
AUSTRALIA
Dr. Kirsty Short is an ARC DECRA research fellow and head of the viral pathogenesis lab at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland. Dr. Short and her group focus on the pathogenesis of emerging respiratory viral infections. Their group performs a large amount of research on the role of chronic metabolic conditions (namely diabetes and obesity) in severe viral infections. Their work also includes a focus on avian influenza and the use of comparative genomics to better understand disease pathogenesis. Recently, their group has begun work with SARS-CoV-2 with a particular focus on the role of children in disease transmission, the development of novel therapies and reducing disease severity in patients living with diabetes and obesity.
University of Queensland
AUSTRALIA
Dr Larisa Labzin leads an independent research team, under the mentorship of inflammation expert Prof. Kate Schroder, exploring innate immune responses to respiratory viral infections. Dr Labzin’s expertise is in inflammation and understanding how our cells sense and respond to infection at a molecular level. Dr Labzin currently focuses on Influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2 and aims to understand how viral cellular tropism, subcellular localisation, pre-existing immunity, and viral antagonism shapes the ensuing inflammatory response. These initial inflammatory responses underpin both protective and pathological immune responses during acute viral infections. We use a combination of imaging, molecular techniques, and in vivo experiments to understand these interactions. The overarching aim of the Labzin team is to understand molecular pathways driving inflammation during viral infection and develop new therapies to boost protective immunity while tempering disease causing inflammation.
University of Queensland
AUSTRALIA