Project: Population genomics of endemic Streptococcus pyogenes
Davies Group
Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the leading infectious disease agents in the world. The disease burden is alarmingly high within the Top End of Australia where the epidemiology of infection contrasts that of other geographical regions. Through linking genomics with epidemiology, we aim to examine the evolutionary relationship between disease causing Streptococcus pyogenes clones within remote communities of Australia. Furthermore, we will apply statistical genetic models to identify genetic signatures associated with different disease stats and/or tissue tropism. Unlocking these mysteries is key to informing public health intervention strategies including the development of informed vaccine programs within disease endemic regions.
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Davies Group
3 vacancies
The Davies group aims to apply genome sequencing methodologies and bioinformatics approaches to understand the evolution and transmission of bacterial pathogens. This knowledge can help facilitate a global understanding of pathogen evolution, in addition to informing public health intervention to reduce the disease burden associated with bacterial pathogens. Current projects address key research questions such as: is there a genetic difference between strains causing different disease manifestations? What is driving the emergence and dissemination of bacterial pathogens? Do host immune factors govern disease severity? Our research closely aligns with key international collaborators including the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in the United Kingdom.
Davies Group Current Projects
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Integrative infectious disease phylodynamics
PhD/MPhil
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The space of evolutionary trees in infectious disease epidemiology
Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Population genomics of endemic Streptococcus pyogenes
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Quantifying bacterial recombination within globally evolving streptococcal pathogens
PhD/MPhil, Honours
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Application of systems genomics to analysing the dynamics of Streptococcus pyogenes infection
PhD/MPhil, Honours
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Evolution of streptococcal pathovars
PhD/MPhil, Honours
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Unravelling the drivers of scarlet fever pandemics
PhD/MPhil, Honours
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Using genomics to investigate the transmission of skin pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in a ‘One Health’ setting
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
Research degrees at the Doherty Institute are administered by the University of Melbourne.