Australian scientists at The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute have uncovered the inner workings of the bacterial flagellar.
It’s one of nature’s most impressive machines, yet it’s barely micrometres long. It’s a motor with 99 per cent efficiency that can rotate at up to 100,000 rpm, and switch directions faster than any device created by human ingenuity.
What makes one species of bacteria able to wipe out half a human population if left unchecked, while a similar bug is completely harmless? Elizabeth Hartland is looking at the role of one system central to bacterial pathogenesis.
Hartland and her team at the University of Melbourne study highly specialised systems used by many pathogenic bacteria to boost their own virulence. One such bacterial system is the Type III secretion system (T3SS), which was identified in the early 1990s in Yersinia, a genus of bacteria infamous for causing plague.
Australian researchers have made exciting progress towards a malaria vaccine, and the past year has seen major research developments that raise real hope that malaria can even be eradicated.
Malaria is not only devastating to the individuals who suffer from it, but it also prevents many of the poorest countries around the world from emerging from poverty. A 2001 report by the Center for International Development found that countries with widespread malaria infection had income levels only one third that of similar countries without malaria - and that's adjusting for all other variables. So malaria is not just a health issue, it's a massive socio-political problem, the solving of which could benefit untold millions.
New 'tree of life' established for one of the largest groups of bacteria.
A new 'tree of life' has been constructed for the gamma-proteobacteria, a large group of medically and scientifically important bacteria that includes Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and other disease-causing organisms.
Researchers are investigating microbes that break down plastics as a means of controlling ocean pollution.
Researchers are investigating microbes that break down plastics as a means of controlling ocean pollution.
Over half of this year's Australian Academy of Science Fellowships were awarded to life scientists.
Over half of this year's Australian Academy of Science Fellowships were awarded to life scientists.
A new approach to combating antibiotic resistance draws on lessons learned from targeted therapies for cancer.
A new approach to combating antibiotic resistance draws on lessons learned from targeted therapies for cancer.
Bacterium found to catalyse the biomineralisation of gold. Could lead to new biosensors.
Bacterium found to catalyse the biomineralisation of gold. Could lead to new biosensors.
Merlin Crossley to take Dean's chair at the University of New South Wales in January 2010.
Merlin Crossley to take Dean's chair at the University of New South Wales in January 2010.
Australian patent awarded for LabTech System's MicroStreak agar plate streaking technology.
Australian patent awarded for LabTech System's MicroStreak agar plate streaking technology.
A tiny frozen microbe may hold clues to extraterrestrial life.
A tiny frozen microbe may hold clues to extraterrestrial life.
2009 Premier’s Award for Public Health and Medical Research
2009 Premier’s Award for Public Health and Medical Research
Study reveals startling new role for the plant hormone auxin
Study reveals startling new role for the plant hormone auxin
For such a simple idea, it’s a surprise that no one has thought of it before. An automated system for streaking agar plates is on the market, developed here in Australia.
For such a simple idea, it’s a surprise that no one has thought of it before. An automated system for streaking agar plates is on the market, developed here in Australia.
Malcolm Walter has moved his collection of rocks from Macquarie University to the University of NSW, where he has joined Brett Neilan and his colleagues in an expanded multidisciplinary team as part of the new Australian Centre for Astrobiology (ACA).
Malcolm Walter has moved his collection of rocks from Macquarie University to the University of NSW, where he has joined Brett Neilan and his colleagues in an expanded multidisciplinary team as part of the new Australian Centre for Astrobiology (ACA).
