Research Focus
The Applied Tropical and Molecular Parasitology laboratory focuses on developing new diagnostics for, primarily, helminth infections and utilising molecular tools to investigate epidemiology of disease. We have a particular focus on zoonotic parasites such as Schistosoma sp., Strongyloides sp., and hookworm, applying a One Health lens to research projects with an aim for prevention of parasite infection. We collaborate closely with the Global Health and Tropical Medicine group to develop multifaceted control programs to achieve this goal.
Gallery
Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Schistosoma mekongi in Lao PDR.
Ending the neglect – Setting the platform for Strongyloidiasis elimination in Australia.
Low-cost DNA diagnostic tools for early parasitic worm detection.
Research Team
Twyla Bradshaw
Emmanuel Tabilin
Natasha Collinson
Professor Kosala Weerakoon
Funding
● NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-Asia JRP) “Eliminating S. mekongi – the final push”
● NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-ASIA JRP) “Eliminating the Major Helminth Neglected Tropical Diseases from the Lower Mekong Basin”
● NHMRC Synergy Grant “Ending the neglect – setting the platform for strongyloidiasis elimination in Australia”
● NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-Asia JRP) “Rapid point of care diagnostics for the elimination of Asian Schistosomiasis”
● Australia-Indonesia Institute Grants Program, Uniting science and the arts to improve Indonesian child health
Publications
Gordon, C. A., J. Utzinger, S. Muhi, S. L. Becker, J. Keiser, V. Khieu and D. J. Gray (2024). "Strongyloidiasis." Nature Reviews Disease Primers 10(6).
Jones, M. K., J. Keiser, C. A. Gordon and D. P. McManus (2023). Trematodes. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. K. C. Carroll, M. A. Pfaller, J. A. Karlowsky et al., ASM Press.
Aula, O. P., D. P. McManus, M. K. Jones, H. You, P. Cai and C. A. Gordon (2023). "Optimisation of the DNA dipstick as a rapid extraction method for Schistosoma japonicum in infected mice samples and spiked human clinical samples." Infectious Diseases of Poverty 12(1): 71.
Further Information
● Professor Gail Williams, University of Queensland
● Professor Carlos Graeff Teixeira, Universidade Federal do Espíritu Santo, Brazil
● Dr Mario Jiz, Research Institute of Tropical Medicine, Manila
● Dr Marianette Inobaya, Research Institute of Tropical Medicine, Manila
● A/Professor Marcello Otake Sato, Niigata University, Japan
● Dr Yasuhito Sako, Asahikawa Medical University, Japan
● Dr Geoff Gobert, University of Belfast
● Professor Jurg Utzinger, Swiss Tropical Institute
● Professor Robert Bergquist , WHO
● Richard Bradbury, James Cook University
● Professor Somphou Sayasone, Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Lao PDR
● Professor Virak Khieu, National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Cambodia
● Professor Banchob Sripa, Khon Kaen University,Thailand
● Emeritus Professor Donald Hard, Griffith University