Honours Projects in the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

2011/2012

Global gene expression profiling of canine lymphoma

Lymphoma, a cancer of lymphoid tissue, is a relatively common form of malignancy in the dog yet very little is understood about its pathogenesis. As with other forms of cancer, canine lymphoma is likely to be a molecular disease resulting from the abnormal expression of genes involved in fundamental cell processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis.  In this project, methods for isolating RNA of suitable quality from archived tissue will be examined, for the purpose of running Affymetrix GeneChips that can analyse thousands of dog genes in parallel. This should greatly enhance our understanding of lymphoma pathogenesis in the dog and will have utility in improving the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of this lethal disease.

For more information contact:

Dr Wayne Greene
VBS room 3.041
Tel: 9360 2545
Email: W.Greene@murdoch.edu.au

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Development and validation of a cell-free culture system for Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is an enteric parasite that infects a wide range of hosts including humans, domestic and wild animals. The resistant oocyst stage of the organism's life cycle is excreted in the feces of infected animals and can contaminate sources of drinking water. Although the disease is usually self-limiting in otherwise healthy humans, persistent infection can contribute to mortality in individuals with weakened immune systems. The parasite is resistant to conventional disinfectants used by the water industry to disinfect water, including chlorine and has been responsible for numerous water-borne outbreaks of disease. Cryptosporidium currently represents the major public health concern of water utilities in developed nations.
 
Recent developments in in vitro cultivation have revealed that Cryptosporidium can complete its life cycle in media devoid of host cells, contradicting current beliefs that Cryptosporidium is an obligate intracellular parasite and highlights the deficiency of our knowledge about the biology of this parasite.
 
This project will focus on using Reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR of genes expressed as different time points in the life cycle and the analysis of life cycle stages using electron microscopy.

Describing new species of Cryptosporidium in fish

Water is increasingly recognised as an important vehicle for transmission of Cryptosporidium. The oocyst is environmentally stable and resistant to inactivation by chlorine at doses commonly used in drinking water treatment.
Cryptosporidium can survive for long periods in both freshwater and saltwater and viable human-infectious oocysts have been recovered from several bivalve species. Little is known about the prevalence, geographical distribution of species of Cryptosporidium infecting fish and what the potential health implications are. Preliminary analysis has identified human-infectious genotypes as well as several novel species. This project will focus on the use of microscopy, PCR, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to characterise these novel genotypes as valid species. 

Proteomics analysis of Cryptosporidium life cycle stages using Maldi Imaging

Recent developments in in vitro cultivation have revealed that Cryptosporidium can complete its life cycle in media devoid of host cells, contradicting the current viewpoint that it can only grow on host cells. As the oocyst is believed to be the only stage in the life cycle capable of surviving in the environment, current detection methods for Cryptosporidium within the water industry and studies conducted to assess the survival of Cryptosporidium under environmental conditions have focused on the oocyst.

Preliminary work in our laboratory demonstrated the presence of Cryptosporidium life cycle stages appearing in samples, which had been stored in water for long periods of time.  Nothing is known about what proteins are expressed in different life-cycle stages and which proteins could be used as biomarkers to identify, concentrate and analyse different life-cycle stages. The aim of this study is to apply Maldi-imaging mass spectrometry to identify and characterise proteins, which are expressed in life cycle stages.  The data generated from this project will be used to generate biomarkers for life-cycle stages.

Examination of the efficiency of Phylomer peptides and Chinese herbs in the control of human and animal infectious diseases.

Cryptosporidium is an enteric parasite, which has a global impact on the health, survival and economic development of >10 million people and animals worldwide, for which no effective chemotherapy is available. Clinical manifestations of cryptosporidiosis vary with age and immunological status. Immunocompetent individuals may have voluminous but self-limiting diarrhea, however, in immunodeficient individuals; cryptosporidiosis can be associated with chronic, diarrhoea with a fatality rate as high a 60%.
We have identified a series of phylomers (naturally constrained peptide subdomains) in collaboration with a Perth-based biotechnology company called Phylogica), which inhibit the growth of Cryptosporidium by targeting purine salvage enzymes in the parasite. It has been shown that Phylomers can be successfully delivered across the cell membrane using protein transduction domains. Preliminary evidence suggests that phylomers have broad-spectrum anti-microbial activity.
This project is a collaboration with Professor Songhua Hu at Zhejiang University in China. Professor Songhua Hu has successfully used Chinese herbs in treating animal diseases such as bovine mastitis. The study will involve testing Chinese herbs and Phylomers on Cryptosporidium and a range of other pathogens. Techniques learned will include cell culture, drug testing, qPCR and spectrophotometry.

Predicting climate change impacts on human-infectious parasitic disease in marsupials and the public health implications.

In Australia, it is predicted that climate change will extend the seasonal window for parasite transmission and lead to amplification of parasite populations, disease outbreaks in host populations and spread of disease into naïve populations. Climate change in Australia will also result in heavier and less frequent rainfall leading to greater extremes of wetness and dryness resulting in more variable numbers of parasites and greater nutritional stress on native marsupials with consequent reduced resistance to parasites of all types.

Climate changes will also benefit insects that transmit these parasites. For example, insect vectors such as ticks, mosquitoes and flies will be able to complete more generations/year and tropical insect vectors and the parasites they carry will expand their ranges southwards. There is also a risk that the impact of climate change will increase the likelihood of exotic parasitic diseases entering Australia.

 While there has been extensive research into macroparasites in marsupials, only limited studies have been conducted on protozoan parasites. The construction of predictive computer models for the effect of climate change on zoonotic parasitic disease in marsupial hosts requires baseline data on protozoans that is currently lacking.

Two honours projects are available as part of this study:

1. Prevalence and genetic characterization of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in marsupials

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are enteric parasites that infect a wide range of hosts and are transmitted by the faecal-oral route and by contamination of water supplies. Their environmental stages (oo/cysts) can be shed in very large numbers, are extremely hardy and easily spread by water. Symptoms vary from mild to severe diarrhoea and even death (Fayer et al. 2004). There is no effective therapy for Cryptosporidium infection (Carey et al. 2004) and both parasites are considered potential bioterrorist agents in the US (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/biodefense/bandc_priority.htm). Little is known about the occurrence and impact of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in native marsupials, however a recent study revealed the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in 3,557 fecal samples from wild eastern grey kangaroos in NSW was between 0.32% to 28.5% over a 2-year period. A study of Giardia in Tasmanian native marsupials over a 3-yr period revealed a prevalence of 21% in the 295 animals tested. Research in WA suggests that the prevalence of infection with Giardia in a range of marsupials was 12.4%. Both host adapted and zoonotic species of Cryptosporidium and Giardia have been detected in marsupials, highlighting the potential public health risk via transmission to humans.

The objective of this study is to screen marsupial fecal samples using molecular tools from areas of high and low human interaction in order to determine (a) the prevalence of Cryptosporidium/Giardia in marsupials by PCR and (b) to determine whether human-infectious genotypes of Cryptosporidium/Giardia are found in marsupials using PCR and sequencing techniques. This study will therefore provide important information on not only the biology of Cryptosporidium/Giardia infecting marsupials as well as the transmission dynamics of Giardia and will also identify if there are any public health implications.
 

2. Prevalence and genetic characterization of blood-parasites in marsupials

Theileria, Babesia and Trypanosoma are haemoprotozoa (blood parasites) transmitted by insect vectors. There has been no systematic study of native Australian haemoprotozoa and little is known of their epidemiology and impact.

The objective of this study is to screen marsupial blood samples using molecular tools from areas of high and low human interaction in order to determine (a) the prevalence of haemoprotozoa in marsupials by PCR and (b) to determine whether human-infectious species of haemoprotozoa are found in marsupials using PCR and sequencing techniques. This study will therefore provide important information on not only the biology of haemoprotozoa infecting marsupials as well as the transmission dynamics of haemoprotozoa and will also identify if there are any public health implications.
 
Data generated from both these studies will be used to conduct climate change modelling to predict the future impacts of climate change on the emergence of zoonotic disease caused by protozoan parasites on their marsupial hosts.

Biological characterisation of a new species of Cryptosporidium in pigs

Ever want to be involved in the naming of a new species? A new species of Cryptosporidium has recently been detected in pigs, which is genetically very distinct. In order for this species to be formally described in the literature, more information on its biological characteristics is required. This project aims to characterise both the biological characteristics of this species and to further characterise its molecular characteristics. It is anticipated that the results of this project will contribute greatly to our understanding of cryptosporidiosis in pigs and will also result of the formal naming of this species in the scientific literature.

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For more information on the above projects contact:

A/Prof. Una Ryan
Room 3.45
Tel: 9360 2482
Email: Una.Ryan@murdoch.edu.au

Muscle biochemistry in prime lambs and pigs

This project will investigate the biochemical and production factors influencing muscle biochemistry and in particular heme iron levels in prime lambs and/or pork.

For more information contact:

Regulation of omega 3 in lamb meat

There are a number of projects possible to define the genetic and nutritional regulation of omega 3 fatty acids in lamb meat.

The effects of very fast chilling on lamb tenderness

This project will investigate an understanding of the impacts of very fast chilling on lamb meat quality.

Understanding factors that effect beef quality in Western Australia

This project would investigate the Meat Standards Australia database of graded beef carcasses to underpin the factors effecting beef quality in Western Australia.

Muscle biochemistry in prime lambs - effects of genetic selection

Selection for muscling has been shown in other species to impact on the expression of muscle fibre type, enhancing the proportions of Type IIB fibres. This has broad implications for industry, including altered pH characteristics post mortem, altered carbohydrate metabolism, and altered colour. This project assesses these various biological impacts in prime lambs.

Lean meat yield in Merino lambs

Selection for muscling has been shown in other species to reduce the proportion of fat in the carcase. It may also alter the distribution of muscle tissue across the carcase. This is potentially important as increased lean meat yield, and greater proportion of muscling at economically valuable sites will increase return. It is also important to assess the ability of abattoir systems such as VIAscan (Video Image Analysis) to predict carcase lean meat yield in extreme muscling genotypes. This project tackles these issues in the Merino prime lamb industry.

For more information on these projects contact:

Understanding retail colour display in lamb meat

Gene markers for tenderness in Bos indicus and Bos tauris cattle

For more information contact:

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Regulation of pH decline in post mortem muscle

The rate of pH decline post-mortem is an extremely important factor determining meat quality. A range of biological factors may affect this rate, including management practices of the animals prior to slaughter, and aspects of muscle biochemistry. Electrical stimulation has a powerful effect on rate of pH decline, and may interact with these biological aspects. This project aims to explore these interactions.

For more information contact:

Effect of oestrogen in wound healing: Molecular studies in an ovariectomized sheep model

Chronic wounds in humans increase in prevalence with age.  Most chronic wounds affecting the elderly are leg ulcers, with venous ulcers accounting for around 70% of all cases. Research also shows that sex steroid hormones have a powerful effect on wound healing processes. 

In mice, ovariectomy delays reepithelialisation, increases the local inflammatory response and decreases collagen deposition. Recent studies by our colleagues show that oestrogen also increases the expression and nuclear translocation of Flightless I (FliI), an actin-remodelling protein and co-activator of the oestrogen nuclear receptor, which appears to be required for oestrogen-mediated collagen I secretion.  FliI may affect the transcription of genes involved in the wound healing process regulated by the oestrogen receptor  including epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and c-fos, a component of activator protein-1 (AP-1) which regulates TGF-b gene expression.

Declining levels of oestrogen and/or DHEA in humans may contribute to age-related impaired wound healing. This concept is supported by the findings that the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by elderly women appears to reduce the risk of venous ulceration and that a genetic association exists between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the oestrogen receptor gene and risk of venous ulceration. In aged humans of both sexes, the topical application of oestrogen reduces the inflammatory response and significantly reduces wound size.

Here at Murdoch we have used the ovariectomised sheep model to show significant new evidence of a decline in the quality and quantity of collagen in connective tissues from a range of sites after ‘surgical menopause’.  This large animal model now provides an excellent opportunity to study the mechanisms of age and gender effects on wound healing. 

Project Outline    This Honours project will specifically address whether ovariectomy of adult sheep is associated with:

1. Impaired healing of acute wounds via increased inflammation, delayed epithelialisation and reduced collagen deposition
   
   
2. Changes in the expression of genes involved in wound healing that are regulated by the oestrogen receptor (FliI, TNF-a, EGF and TGF-b).

 Main Techniques     Opportunity to participate in sample collection from sheep, histology, digital image processing, immunohistochemistry, quantitative RT-PCR.

Collaborators: UWA and University of Adelaide medical faculties

There is excellent potential for this research to extend into Masters or PhD studies.

For more information contact:

Dr Martin Cake
Room 1.007
Tel: (08) 9360 2175
Email: mcake@murdoch.edu.au

The Characterisation of a Novel Flagellate from Laboratory Mice

The project will involve the identification and characterisation of a novel flagellate found to be common in the caecum of laboratory mice, and determination of whether it is a parasite or commensal. This will involve in vitro culture to amplify flagellates from mice; application of appropriate molecular tools in order to compare the flagellate with related intestinal flagellates from mice and other mammals; and a detailed morphological description using scanning electron microscopy at the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, UWA.

This will be a collaborative project involving the Parasitology Section in the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, the Animal Resources Centre who are providing the scholarship, and the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, UWA.

Scholarship of $5, 000* available.

 * $3, 000 stipend; $2,000 maintenance funding

 For further information please contact:

Professor Andrew Thompson
Telephone: 9360 2466
Email: a.thompson@murdoch.edu.au

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Investigating the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the virulence of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae.

The intestinal spirochaete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae is the agent of swine dysentery, a severe mucohaemorrhagic colitis. Not much is known about how this bacterium causes disease, but it is known that surface lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has a part to play in lesion development. In this project you will be isolating and characterising LPS from different virulent and avirulent strains of B. hyodysenteriae, and using these strains and/or the extracted LPS to examine their influence on cultured cell monolayers and/or mice of defined strains that vary in their susceptibility to LPS.

Investigating interactions between intestinal spirochaetes and cultured cell monolayers .

In this project you will be investigating the interactions between intestinal spirochaetes and cultured cell monolayers. This will include an analysis of gene expression by both the spirochaetes and the intestinal cell line in response to their interactions.

Investigating the occurrence and mechanisms involved in gene transfer between intestinal spirochaetes.

In this project you will be looking for evidence of exchange of genetic content between intestinal spirochaetes of the same and different species. You will also be involved in trying to characterise the methods involved, with special emphasis on the role of bacteriophages and novel gene transfer agents.

For more information on the above projects contact:

Professor David Hampson,
Ext: 2287 Room 3.032
Email: D.Hampson@murdoch.edu.au

Salmonella in kangaroos as a risk to children in Perth parks

This project will be run in conjunction with UWA School of Public Health and will involve assessing kangaroo numbers in selected parks in the city, sampling of kangaroo faeces from the parks for salmonellae, fully characterising any Salmonella strains recovered, questionnaire development and application to people using parks, comparison of results with enteric disease databases in the health department etc.

Rickettsial infections in ticks from reptiles in WA

An extensive collection of ticks from reptiles round the State has been established and the project will involve applying molecular techniques to analyse ticks for rickettsial infections, collecting data on ticks from reptiles presented to rescue groups, and comparing sequences from any rickettsiae isolated with currently available information on reptiles from other parts of Australia.

For more information contact:

Dr. Stan Fenwick,
Room 3.031, Tel: (08) 9360 7418
Email: S.Fenwick@murdoch.edu.au

Tick transmitted disease and the role of feral pigs as reservoir species.

Tick transmitted diseases are an emerging public health concern.  Recent research here at Murdoch University has demonstrated the presence of Rickettsia spp. pathogens in ticks obtained from feral pigs.  Large mammals, such as feral pigs, are excellent hosts for adult tick stages and can play an important role in increasing the tick population.  In this project, active tick surveillance, through tick flagging, will be performed in areas with and without feral pig populations to determine if the presence of feral pigs influences the population density of ticks.  In addition, important knowledge regarding the overall population of ticks and the number and distribution of tick species will be obtained.  Finally, PCR-based techniques will be used to test ticks for the presence of potential human pathogens.  This project will involve both field-based and lab-based work components.

For further information contact:

Pig nutrition and physiology

Our research group has a number of projects available in the general area of pig nutritional physiology. This is a reasonably broad description of a potential project I recognise, however, if you are interested in any sort of pig research, then feel free to come and talk to me and we can discuss in more detail an area of investigation that will hopefully suit your requirements.

For more information contact:

John Pluske
Tel: (08) 9360 2012
Email: J.Pluske@murdoch.edu.au

Kangaroos: sexual selection and foraging

Co-supervisors: Bill Bateman, Trish Fleming

The interaction between sexual and natural selection produces interesting variation within and between species. Three species of Western Australian kangaroos (euros, western grey kangaroos, and red kangaroos are similar in bodysize but demonstrate marked differences in their social and eating habits.  Euros are solitary, nocturnal grazers, preferring rocky landscapes.  Western grey kangaroos are social, crepuscular grazers (but also browse) over a range of habitats.  Red kangaroos are social, crepuscular grazers found in open arid environments. All three species show sexual dimorphism, which is most marked in the grey and red kangaroos.  Males are much larger, with highly developed muscles of the ‘arms’ (forelimbs) and pectoral muscles.  This sexual dimorphism, with pronounced forearm development, appears to play a role in male-male competition.

These large macropods also vary in their dietary preference; red kangaroos tend to graze, while euros and western greys browse-graze. Efficient browsing may be aided by height and the ability to manipulate branches.  Comparatively long arms are likely to be adaptive for greys that reach up and pull down branches.  This is less likely to be a selective pressure both for the euro and the red.  The aim of the study is to examine the relative influences of foraging and sexual selection on the morphology of forelimbs in these three large macropods.

This project will seek to answer one or both of the following questions:

1. To what extent do the forelimb bones and muscles vary between males and females in these three species of kangaroo? This will involve allometric analysis of forelimb length (for all three species) and muscle mass (for western greys) for adult males and females.  Ontogenetic development may also be investigated.
   
   
2. To what extent does the forelimb morphology correlate with food preference? Analysis of stomach contents for (at least) western greys.  The Jarman-Bell principle states that large herbivores will bulk feed and smaller ones will be more selective, choosing higher quality food.  Within species, this pattern should be evident in sexually size-dimorphic species: we predict that stomach contents of large male greys will contain more browse and coarse graze in comparison to females and young males.

For more information contact:

Dr Natalie Warburton
Room: VBBS 1.004
Tel: (08) 9360 7658
Fax: (08) 9310 4144
Email: N.Warburton@murdoch.edu.au

A novel animal model of neuromuscular junction development: Australian marsupials

Neuromuscular dysfunction is observed in a range of debilitating human disorders, including myasthenia gravis, the muscular dystrophies, motoneuron disease and traumatic nerve injury. The processes of neuromuscular synapse formation are crucial to our understanding of normal motor development and of human peripheral nerve repair after injury. This project will investigate neuromuscular junction formation in Australian marsupial neonates as a novel model for neuromuscular development.

Marsupials give birth to very immature young; for example, bandicoot babies are born after less than 15 days in utero. Immature marsupials must immediately crawl unaided from the opening of the birth canal to the teat with coordinated movement of the forelimbs. An unexplored area of research regards the pattern and timing of peripheral neural development required to facilitate this astonishing feat. By comparing synaptic structure in muscles with known variation in functional development, the project will investigate the following questions:

• Does synaptic development have a different time course in muscles with different functional importance during very early development (forelimb vs. hindlimb, proximal vs. distal muscles)?
• How does the timing of development of the neuromuscular junctions within the marsupial neonate compare to that of traditional animal models of neuromuscular junction formation (rodents, amphibians)?

This honours project will begin the exploratory work of mapping connections between the nervous and muscular system over a time series in bandicoot neonates. You will develop highly transferable skills in microdissection, fluorescent antibody labelling of pre-and post-synaptic structures and synaptic imaging using confocal, fluorescent and/or electron microscopy.  The project has implications for a wide range of research areas including nervous system evolution, development and dysfunction.

For more information please contact:

Exploring effective treatment strategies for obesity and obesity related disease

Obesity is associated with a cluster of medical conditions (such as type 2 diabetes) that reduce quality of life and burden the public health system. In order to achieve effective treatments for obesity, we need to understand the signals controlling the desire to eat and develop strategies to help combat the desire to eat. Hormones released after food ingestion have now been identified as internal regulators of appetite and have therefore become attractive targets for antiobesity drug development. Since these hormones cannot be absorbed from the digestive system, they are currently administered via multiple injections.
The research objectives of our laboratory are;

1) To develop and assess a novel class of appetite suppressing compounds prepared from these unique hormones, and make them orally ingestible;

2) Identify the target pathways of these hormones;

3) Assess the interaction of these hormones when used in combination with exercise and dietary changes.

The specific honours project will address one of the above stated objectives and will allow you to learn cutting edge techniques and research design. This research project may then be continued into an MSc or PhD.

For further information, please contact:

Timothy J. Fairchild PhD
Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Health Science | Integrated Health Institute
Tel: 9360 2959
Email: T.Fairchild@murdoch.edu.au

Investigating the immune responses of premature and term infants to immunisation and their susceptibility to infection

Advances in neonatal care have led to a growing population of children born extremely prematurely. Surprisingly little is known about the immune responses of this population at birth and the implications of prematurity on the subsequent development of innate and adaptive immunity in early life. It is well recognised that preterm infants are more susceptible to early infection and have a higher risk of vaccine failure because of immunological immaturity, however relatively little is known about maturation of the immune system in these infants, particularly in terms of the cellular immune responses that will be assessed in this study. The candidate will examine vaccine-specific antibody and cellular responses using newly developed methods in a cohort of vaccinated preterm and term infants. There is potential to develop the project into a higher degree.

For more information contact:
Dr Andrew Currie
VBBS Room 3.047
Email: A.Currie@murdoch.edu.au

Using behaviour to assess the welfare of dogs

Dogs play a significant role in human society yet can often be subject to poor welfare or end up in shelters.  A new methodology called quantitative behavioural analysis has been developed to assess farm animal welfare and is applicable to companion animals.  This methodology involves the assessment of the whole animal by observers, using their own words to describe what the animal is doing.  This project has several components:

1. to examine whether this method is applicable in dogs of mixed breeds in a neutral environment – as certain breeds display a range of behaviour which may be more or less easy for humans to assess. 
2. to assess the welfare of dogs in a shelter environment, where many dogs experience some degree of stress.  Sadly, a significant number of companion animals exist in animal shelters and the behaviour of these animals often determines whether the animals will be successfully re-homed.  This project will identify if people can detect behavioural expressions in dogs that are associated with successful re-homing. 

This could lead to strategies that could further improve the welfare and successful re-homing of dogs.

For more information contact:
Dr Teresa Collins
Vet Biology Room 3.039
Tel: 08 9360 7307
Email: T.Collins@murdoch.edu.au

Finding solutions to the unwanted companion animal problem.

Tens of thousands of healthy cats and dogs are killed each year by shelters and council pounds yet surprising little research has been done to investigate the reason why the problem continues.  There is a need to collect data about these animals to determine why they end up unwanted, involving RSPCA, shelters, vets and pounds.  This research is required before realistic targeted programs can be recommended to attempt to solve the problem.  This project will address:

• What is the source of all the strays and abandoned pets?
• Are the strays made up of sub populations of or feral, semi owned or just unwanted pets?
• What are the most effective preventative strategies?
• What strategies are in place to make re-homing of pets successful?
  

For more information contact:
Dr Teresa Collins
Vet Biology Room 3.039
Tel: 08 9360 7307
Email: T.Collins@murdoch.edu.au

Understanding attitudes to animals: what is needed?

Societal concern for animals has risen in the past few decades and this impacts on how humans can treat, utilise and produce animals for our own benefit.   It is known that attitudes underpin human behaviour, so in order to better understand how we treat and care for animals; we need to determine what those underlying values are.  This project will determine what factors play a role in influencing our attitudes and what strategies/education programs are required to affect our behaviours.  The project can focus on companion or production animals, and examine aspects from the veterinary, farming, welfare or community group perspective.

For more information contact:
Dr Teresa Collins
Vet Biology Room 3.039
Tel: 08 9360 7307
Email: T.Collins@murdoch.edu.au

An Honours project starting in Semester 1 2012 is currently available for a student who is keen to investigate the prevalence of Rickettsia felis in dogs from Western Australia. Rickettsia felis causes flea-borne spotted fever (FBSF) /cat flea typhus. It was first identified in Australia from fleas collected from domestic pets in WA in 2005. Since then, R. felis has been reported in WA, VIC, NSW and QLD. The first human cases of FBSF were recently reported in Victoria. However, little else is known of its prevalence in companion animals (dogs and cats), the natural host of its main vector, Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea).

This project will be a collaboration between the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, Murdoch University and the Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory (ARRL) in Geelong, Victoria. It will be co-supervised by Dr Mark Bennett (Murdoch) and A/Prof John Stenos (ARRL). The project will involve several weeks of supervised training at the ARRL (Geelong) in PCR-based diagnostics, serological assay techniques and cell culture for the detection and isolation of rickettsial organisms in canine plasma/serum. The student will then use these laboratory methods to screen samples of canine blood collected from Western Australia, for evidence of exposure to rickettsial species.

If you are interested in applying for this Honours position, or require further information, please contact:
Dr Mark Bennett (m.bennett@murdoch.edu.au) .

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Welfare measures for livestock production

Over the past four years an animal welfare assessment tool has been studied by a Murdoch University research team for use within livestock industries. This method involves the qualitative behavioural assessment (QBA) of an animal to allow a whole animal approach to welfare monitoring. As part of an honours project you would be involved in carrying out a study that would assist in further validating this welfare assessment method for use in industry.

Studies could encompass any one of the following areas:

1. How do animal welfare assessments change depending on context?
2. How can animal welfare assessments be made on groups of animals versus individuals?
3. What effect does a person’s background have on their assessment of an animal’s welfare?

For more information contact:

Bone biology: a paradigm for biomedical science training

Several projects in the broad field of bone biology are available through a collaboration between The Bone and Mineral Research Group (UWA, SCGH) and Murdoch University. This group has a variety of foci ranging from basic science to health promotion.

Osteoporosis is a common complex disease – with a major dietary, genetic and lifestyle components and is characterised by a decrease in bone quantity or strength leading to the development of non-traumatic fractures, particularly of the hip, spine and wrist. The burden of disease is predominantly in postmenopausal women with osteoporotic fractures occurring in one in three women leading to a 9% 1-year mortality in women with hip fracture and 24% mortality five years post hip fracture. The estimated cost of osteoporotic fractures in the Australia is in excess of $7.4 billion per annum. Although there are a number of existing therapies with proven efficacy in fracture reduction, these are not suitable for all patients and the effect is far from optimal. Consequently, there continues to be a strong demand for improved knowledge on the biology of bone, new therapeutic alternatives and preventative strategies. Several specific projects exist in the areas of genetics (genome variation and osteoarthritis), regulation of stem cell differentiation and environmental and genetic causes of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disease. Each project is designed to result in a publication in the appropriate international journal.

Students interested in working with this group are asked to contact one of the project supervisors AS SOON AS POSSIBLE for further details about specific projects.

Dr Sarah Etherington, 936 6708, s.etherington@murdoch.edu.au
Dr Joshua Lewis (0428987438)
Professor Richard Prince (0419937100)

Determining the sources, prevalence and clinical impact of Giardia infections in Auckland Zoo

For approximately 7 years, the Auckland Zoo has had a recurring issue with Giardiasis in predominantly the carnivore group. The index case was a siamang, with a Campylobacter/g\Giardia co-infection, and clinical signs of diarrhoea and lethargy. Since then, Giardia has been detected in the faeces of many species including: Cheetah, Red Panda, Asian small-clawed otter, African porcupine and Tigers. Most of these species do not show clinical signs, and all have been treated at various times in an attempt to clear the infection. It is likely conditions within the enclosure and soil contamination support a re-infection cycle from the environment. New Zealand has some of the highest reported rates of giardiasis in the developed world. The Auckland Zoo sources water for the enclosures (cleaning and water features such as streams) from a nearby lake, which is spring fed. This lake is within a recreational park, frequented by people and their dogs, as well as a wide variety of waterfowl.

This project will involve conduct a cross-sectional study of all the mammal groups, using PCR to determine assemblage type and risks of zoonotic transmission to keepers and volunteers within the zoo. At the same time, we would conduct a water survey using the services of the local water board, to test water quality at multiple points within the zoo, including entry and exit points.

For more information contact:
A/Prof. Una Ryan
Room 3.55
Ph 9360 2482
Una.Ryan@Murdoch.edu.au

Conditioning of B Cells for Antibody Protection at Respiratory Mucosal Surfaces

Respiratory mucosal surfaces are a common site of entry for airborne pathogens and allergens, and antibody production by B cells provides a major source of immune protection at this site.  Several isotypes of antibodies (immunoglobulins) can be made by B cells, of which immunoglobulin A (IgA) is most important of these for protection of mucosal surfaces. Recently, Dullaers et al., described the conditions required for the in vitro generation of IgA-secreting B (IgA-B) cells in humans, as well as expression of mucosal homing-receptors required to guide the IgA-B cells to mucosal surfaces (Dullaers, 2009).  This raises the possibility that B cells can be conditioned for IgA production against a pathogen or allergen of choice and targeted to a mucosal surface to provide protection against that pathogen.

In this project, we wish to extend these humans studies into the mouse, where we can more easily examine the potential of this approach for generating IgA-B cells that can provide protection against respiratory viruses such as influenza virus and aeroallergens that induce asthma. In this first-phase project, B cells will purified from the spleens of normal mice and the in vitro conditions established for differentiating these cells into IgA-B cells and expression of mucosal homing receptors.  Depending on time and progress, these studies may then be extended to investigate the lung-homing capacity of conditioned B cells injected in vivo.

With further refinement, this approach raises the exciting possibility of generating large numbers of Ig-A B cells producing IgA of defined specificity at mucosal surfaces, with the capacity to protect against a wide variety of respiratory inflammatory diseases.

Skills and Techniques:
This project will provide the student with a range of techniques and skills used in cellular immunology, including:

• Mouse handling and surgical techniques
• Isolation and in vitro culturing of mouse splenocytes
• Immunomagnetic approaches to lymphocyte purification
• Antibody isotyping and quantitation
• Flow cytometry for analysis of cell purities and chemokine receptor expression.
• Work experience at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research

Reference:
Dullaers M. et al. (2009) A T cell-dependent mechanism for the induction of human mucosal homing immunoglobulin A-secreting plasmablasts. Immunity 30:120-129

For more information please contact:
Dr Phil Stumbles
School of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences
Tel: 9360 6201
Email: p.stumbles@murdoch.edu.au

Unique Adaptations of the Knee Structure and Function in Kangaroos

Members of the family Macropodineae (kangaroos and wallabies) constitute the dominant herbivorous fauna of Australia and cover a broad array of terrestrial herbivore niches. The hind limb morphology of macropodines is among the most specialised of all mammals, reflecting their unique method of saltatorial locomotion. Observations of unusual fibrous tissue in the knee joint and highly mobile tibiofibular articulations suggest some unique adaptations of the knee in this group. In this study, you will investigate anatomical, biomechanical and comparative aspects of the knee joint in kangaroos in order to answer some of the following questions: - What are the histological and biochemical characteristics of the fibrous tissue within the femorotibial joint? - What is the anatomical and biomechanical nature of the proximal tibiofibular joint? Laboratory techniques might include x-ray interpretation (articular disc shape, angle and thickness), comparative gross anatomical dissection, histological sections (fibre arrangement and distribution), and biochemical analysis (water content, collagen and glycosaminoglycans).

Adrenergic signaling in chronic pain

An adrenergic process contributes to chronic pain and inflammation in a significant proportion of people after nerve and tissue injury, but the mechanism is not well understood. The purpose of this project is to investigate the possible involvement of adrenergic receptors on nociceptive afferents. In particular, the aims are to:

Dr Sarah Etherington,
Email: s.etherington@murdoch.edu.au, 9360 6708
Dr Peter Drummond
Email:p.drummond@murdoch.edu.au

Metabolic and physiologic changes during muscle fatigue

Fatigue is synonymous with exhaustion and lethargy and describes a state of awareness pertaining to a range of afflictions that are typified by physical and/or mental weakness. Despite intense interest, the underlying cause/s of fatigue are not always well defined. A clinical example of this is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which is generally defined by persistent fatigue not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially relieved by rest or caused by any other known medical condition. Physiologically, we are able to define and measure fatigue as an inability to maintain power output and/or exercise performance. There are various theories that attempt to describe the cause of this fatigue, although it seems to occur at an interplay between central (Nervous system; related to neurotransmitter molecules such as serotonin) and peripheral (muscle-related; such as a build up or depletion in certain metabolites) factors. The specific aim of this project is to explore the metabolic and physiologic changes that coincide with the occurrence of fatigue during a intense maximal muscle contractions. Using this information we aim to correlate the changes in specific metabolites with possible causative mechanisms of fatigue during physical work. This work will be conducted at the state of the art new facilities on campus using cutting-edge technologies.

Dr Sarah Etherington,
Email: s.etherington@murdoch.edu.au
Phone: 9360 6708

Dr Timothy Fairchild
Senior Lecturer in Sports Science
Phone: 9360 2959
Email: t.fairchild@murdoch.edu.au

HONOURS AND POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE PEEL CHILD HEALTH STUDY

'The impact of the environment on children's health'

The Peel children;s health study is a study investigating psychosocial, biological and environmental factors that may impact on child health and wellbeing. Central to the study is the recruitment of a large birth cohort. Between 1600 and 2000 pregnant women will be recruited during their first trimester for this study. This provides an ideal opportunity to investigate very early (pre- and early post-natal) influences on child health.

For environmental exposures this study will focus on pollutants in and around the home. Environmental data that will be collected includes house dust, air pollutants and various biomarkers of environmental exposures. House dust will be analysed for metals, allergens and, possibly, pesticides. Air pollutants will be measured both inside and outside the home. Finally, maternal and infant blood &/or urine will be analysed for biomarkers of exposure to cigarette smoke, heavy traffic and persistent organic pollutants.
There are a number of opportunities within the Peel study for postgraduate or honours research projects:

1. Interaction of prenatal exposure to indoor air pollutants and indoor allergens on immune responses at birth.

There is increasing interest in the interaction between allergens and other environmental factors on immune responses and the development of allergic respiratory disease in children. Exposure to pollutants and allergens in the indoor environment may be important due to the amount of time people spend indoors, particularly at home. However, there are no data on the impact of prenatal exposure to allergens and pollutants on neonatal immune responses and development of asthma and allergy.

1. to investigate the possible synergetic effects of dust mite allergens and indoor air pollutants on neonatal immune responses, and
2. establish a cohort to investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to HDM and indoor air pollutants on asthma/atopy susceptibility  in childhood.

For this study, dust will be collected from the homes of pregnant women and analysed for house dust mite allergen. Data on indoor pollutants will be collected by questionnaire (type of heating, use of household chemicals, proximity to busy roads) and/or by monitoring. Immune responses will be assessed in blood collected at birth (cord blood).

2. Impact of early life exposure to environmental toxicants (metals, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants) on foetal and infant stress responses.

Exposure to undesirable influences in a child's environment may modify the child's biology through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis, the central mediator of the stress response. Both hyper- and hypoactivity of the HPA axis have been associated with such adverse outcomes as cardiovascular disease, behavioural disorders and mental health problems all of which show clear social gradients. As part of the Peel health study HPA activity in pregnant mothers and newborns will be assessed by salivary cortisol and blood catecholamine levels. The aim of the study is to determine the impact of environmental exposure on these measures of HPA activity. Pollutants will be measured in house dust samples (metals and/or pesticides) as well as in the urine or blood (POPs).

3. Impact of environmental pollutants on foetal growth.

There is evidence that environmental pollutants can impact foetal growth and birth outcomes. The most obvious example of this is maternal smoking, which has been associated with low birth weight. There are little data on the effects of other pollutants. In the Peel study, foetal growth will be assessed using ultrasound data collected at 18, 26 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. At birth, body weight and height will define the body mass index (BMI) as an index of physical development and head circumference (HCF) as an index of brain growth. Intra-uterine growth (IUGR) will be measured using existing diagnostic criteria, ultrasound Doppler scans, uterine and umbilical blood flow measures, and new measures of IUGR called proportional of optimal foetal weight (POFW) and optimal birthweight (POBW).

4. Biomarker research.

One of the major difficulties on environmental health research is the assessment of exposure. Exposure assessment is an evolving science and future studies need to consider methods to improve the exposure metric. One area of exposure assessment that has been developing in recent times is the use of biomarkers. The concept has been around for many years, e.g. the use of cotinine as a marker of cigarette smoke exposure. With advances in analytical techniques it is now possible to measure very low concentrations of environmental chemicals or chemical by-products in human tissue and biomarkers of both exposure and of effect are increasingly being used for environmental health research involving air pollutants. However, although biomonitoring offers exciting opportunities, there is still a limited understanding of the relationship between environmental concentrations and biomarkers, particularly for low level exposures that occur in homes. In the Peel study we will be collecting biological fluid (blood and urine) from mothers and infants and this opens the opportunity for research on the relationships between various biomarkers and concentrations of the relevant pollutants in the environment.

The PCHS is funded by the Australian Research Council, The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and the Asthma Foundation of Western Australia.

For more information please contact:
Dr Phil Stumbles
School of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences
Tel: 9360 6201
Email: p.stumbles@murdoch.edu.au

5. Honours Projects in the Peel Child Health Study

The Peel Child Health Studies (PCHS) is an on-going human birth cohort study funded by the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia based in the Peel Region surrounding Mandurah in Western Australia. We have been collecting a large range of biological, psychosocial and community parameters to allow us to examine the impact of the maternal physical and biological environment on child development.

We have now collected a range of samples that will allow us to associate a number of maternal exposures at early and late stages of gestation, including physical (inorganic metals, bacterial endotoxins, allergens) and biological (cortisol, vitamin D) with fetal and neonatal development including in utero fetal growth, cord blood cellular responses and measurements of immune function.

Honours projects are available for students with a suitable background and academic record to investigate associations these maternal exposures and the biological “health” of the child with a focus on immune function and development.  The student will gain a range of skills in analysis of human data sets and biological measurements.  Projects can be designed, to some extent, based on the background and interest of the student.

For more information contact:
Dr Phil Stumbles
School of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences
Tel: 9360 6201
Email: p.stumbles@murdoch.edu.au

HONOURS IN THE FISH HEALTH UNIT AND FRESHWATER FISH GROUP

We have a number of different research programs, and an active group of Honours and postgraduate students. Some possible projects are listed below, but they are by no means all we have to offer. Visit our website (www.freshwaterfishgroup.com) to learn more and feel free to contact us to discuss any of these projects or any other ideas you may have.

1. Is there really just one species of western minnow?

The freshwater fish fauna of the south west of Western Australia is highly endemic, with 80% of species found nowhere else in the world. Unfortunately, it is also in grave danger of extinction, with many species having their ranges impacted by threats such as climate change, salinisation, river regulation and the introduction of exotic aquatic species.

Recent molecular genetic studies in our laboratory have suggested that the extent of biodiversity loss in our freshwater fish fauna may be even greater than expected, because morphologically described species may actually consist of a number of genetically differentiated cryptic species. This project will use DNA sequencing to investigate the occurrence of cryptic species in the relatively common and widespread western minnow, Galaxias occidentalis. A preliminary study has already identified extensive genetic diversity in western minnow and the project will build upon these preliminary results to map genetic diversity against geographic distribution and determine whether we actually have more than one species in the south west. If we do, then this will have major implications for the management of fish populations.

For more information contact:
A/Prof. Alan Lymbery
Email: a.lymbery@murdoch.edu.au,
Ph 9360 2729

Dr David Morgan
Email: d.morgan@murdoch.edu.au
Ph 9360 2813

2.Are introduced parasites a threat to our native fishes?

Introduced fish species may impact native fishes directly, through predation and competition, or indirectly, by bringing with them new diseases. We have recently discovered in the south-west the exotic parasite Lernaea cyprinacea, which was probably introduced with goldfish and carp. This parasite appears to be both more prevalent and more virulent in native fish species than in its original host species. Understanding why this is will help us to control them.

In this project you will undertake field studies and laboratory experiments to answer the following questions. How widely distributed is Lernaea cyprinacea in the south west of Western Australia? What is the prevalence of the parasite on native and introduced fishes? Does the parasite infect native fishes more readily because of the fishes’ behaviour? Are native fishes less able than goldfish to mount an effective immune response?

For more information contact:
A/Prof. Alan Lymbery
Email: a.lymbery@murdoch.edu.au
Ph 9360 2729

3.How well do fish swim?

River barriers, such as dams and weirs, are a major threat to the unique freshwater fish fauna of Western Australia, because they prevent feeding and spawning migrations and may lead to disconnected, genetically depauparate populations. Fishways are structures which may enable fishes to negotiate these barriers and we are involved in a number of projects to design and construct fishways throughout the state. Effective fishway design, however, requires knowledge of the swimming performance of the target fishes and this information is currently very limited for native freshwater fishes in Western Australia.

This study will utilise a swim tunnel, recently installed in our laboratory, to measure the swimming performance of freshwater fishes and to relate swimming performance to parameters such as fish age, size and sex, water temperature and parasitic infection. The data that are obtained will then be related to water flow measurements obtained from current fishways and used to design improved fishways in the future.

For more information contact:
A/Prof. Alan Lymbery
Ph 9360 2729
a.lymbery@murdoch.edu.au

Dr Stephen Beatty
Ph 9360 2813
S.Beatty@murdoch.edu.au

4.Do freshwater mussels improve water quality and fish health?

The freshwater mussel Westralunio carteri occurs in freshwater rivers of the south-west. The mussel is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of threatened species and a Priority 4 species under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. We have evidence, from a current PhD project being undertaken by Michael Klunzinger, that the distribution of W. carteri has severely contracted in recent years because of their vulnerability to secondary salinisation and the loss of host fish species, which are essential to complete the parasitic phase of the mussel’s life cycle.

Mussels play important roles in the functioning of freshwater ecosystems throughout the world, particularly because their filter feeding activities influence water chemistry and clarity, and the amount and kind of suspended particles in the water. Nothing is known, however, of the extent to which W. carteri influences water quality in Western Australian rivers. Mussel densities can be very high (≥100m^-2) in pools which form over summer in many of the ephemeral rivers in the south-west. These pools are important refuge sites for native freshwater fishes and we hypothesise that mussels contribute to the survival of fishes in the pools through their filter feeding activities, which may reduce algal density, enhance water quality and prevent lethal deoxygenation. The aim of this study is to test this hypothesis using a combination of field observations and manipulation of mussel and fish densities in experimental ponds.

For more information contact:
A/Prof. Alan Lymbery
Ph 9360 2729
a.lymbery@murdoch.edu.au

5.Can zoonotic pathogens be detected in mussels?

Water is increasingly recognized as an important vehicle for the transmission of many important zoonotic protozoan parasites, such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Toxoplasma. Filter-feeding bivalves, such as mussels, may bioaccumulate these pathogens and thereby serve as both sentinel organisms and as potential sources of infection if they are eaten by people or by other animals.

The objectives of this study are to: (a) use PCR and sequencing techniques to analyse the prevalence and genotypes of protozoan parasites in mussels captured from a range of environments in the Swan-Canning River; and (b) use experimental infections of mussels to determine their suitability as sentinel organisms to monitor parasite contamination of waterways. This study will therefore provide important information on the epidemiology of water-borne zoonotic parasites and on the potential of utilizing mussels in future monitoring programs.

For more information contact:
Prof. Una Ryan
Ph 9360 2482
Una.Ryan@Murdoch.edu.au

A/Prof. Alan Lymbery
Ph 9360 2729
a.lymbery@murdoch.edu.au

6.Is river health linked to tree health?

South-western Australia is a global biodiversity hot-spot, with an exceptionally large concentration of endemic species in both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity in the south west are threatened by processes such as land clearing, salinisation, introduced species (including infectious diseases) and climate change. Riparian zones, at the interface between terrestrial and aquatic environments, are not only important centres of biodiversity, they are also one of the ecosystems most disturbed by human activity and most in need of restoration to maintain ecological integrity.

There are important linkages, mediated by riparian zones, between the health of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. For example, streams and rivers depend on riparian plants for bank stability, shade to reduce water temperatures, the input of carbon to support aquatic food webs and woody material which provides important aquatic habitat. Conversely, streams and rivers may provide a source of nutrients and a means of seed dispersal for riparian plants, habitat for the larval stages of many riparian invertebrates and corridors for the transport of infectious disease. Despite these linkages, confirmed by a number of studies in Australia and throughout the world, there has been no large scale mapping of the correlation between riparian tree health and aquatic ecosystem health in the south west, and no detailed investigation of the causal pathways which may be responsible for this correlation. This project will use a combination of existing databases, remote sensing data and on-ground fieldwork to establish correlations between riparian tree health and river health in south-western Australia.

For more information contact:
A/Prof. Alan Lymbery
Ph 9360 2729
a.lymbery@murdoch.edu.au

7.The impact of the introduced parasite, Lernaea cyprinacea, on native freshwater fishes

The freshwater fish fauna of the south west of Western Australia is highly endemic, with 80% of species found nowhere else in the world. Unfortunately, it is also in grave danger of extinction, with most species having their range impacted by threats such as climate change, salinisation, river regulation and the introduction of exotic aquatic species.

We have recently discovered in the south west the exotic parasite Lernaea cyprinacea, which was probably introduced with goldfish and carp. This parasite appears to be both more prevalent and more virulent in native fish species than in its original host species. Understanding why this is will help us to control them.

In this project you will undertake field studies and laboratory experiments to answer the following questions. How widely distributed is Lernaea cyprinacea in the south west of Western Australia? What is the prevalence of the parasite on native and introduced fishes? Does the parasite infect native fishes more readily because of the fishes’ behaviour? Are native fishes less able than goldfish to mount an effective immune response?

For more information contact:
A/Prof. Alan Lymbery
Ph 9360 2729
a.lymbery@murdoch.edu.au

8.The link between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem health

South-western Australia is a global biodiversity hot-spot, with an exceptionally large concentration of endemic species in both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity in the south west are threatened by processes such as land clearing, salinisation, introduced species (including infectious diseases) and climate change. Riparian zones, at the interface between terrestrial and aquatic environments, are not only important centres of biodiversity, they are also one of the ecosystems most disturbed by human activity and most in need of restoration to maintain ecological integrity.

There are important linkages, mediated by riparian zones, between the health of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. For example, streams and rivers depend on riparian plants for bank stability, shade to reduce water temperatures, the input of carbon to support aquatic food webs and woody material which provides important aquatic habitat. Conversely, streams and rivers may provide a source of nutrients and a means of seed dispersal for riparian plants, habitat for the larval stages of many riparian invertebrates and corridors for the transport of infectious disease. Despite these linkages, confirmed by a number of studies in Australia and throughout the world, there has been no large scale mapping of the correlation between riparian tree health and aquatic ecosystem health in the south west, and no detailed investigation of the causal pathways which may be responsible for this correlation. This project will use a combination of existing databases, remote sensing data and on-ground fieldwork to establish correlations between riparian tree health and river health in south-western Australia.

For more information contact:
A/Prof. Alan Lymbery
Ph 9360 2729
a.lymbery@murdoch.edu.au