The Univeristy of Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hopspital

A joint venture between The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital

EDUCATION

Research Projects

Project: Understanding pneumococcal pathogenesis

Satzke Group

Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia and a leading killer of children world-wide. However, it is also commonly found as an asymptomatic coloniser of the upper respiratory tract (carriage). Pneumococcal carriage is an important reservoir for transmission and a precursor to disease. In this project, you will identify novel genes and characterise their role in pneumococcal carriage and/or disease. Key approaches to this project include: genetic manipulation of pneumococcal isolates, working with in vitro and/or in vivo models such respiratory cells from patients grown as air-liquid interface and mouse models, as well as microbiological and immunological analysis of local and systemic samples. Your research will provide new insights into how pneumococci colonise and cause disease.

Project Site: Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Contact project supervisor for further
information and application enquiries

Project Supervisor

Associate Professor Catherine Satzke

Project Co-supervisor

Dr Jonathan Jacobson

Project availability
PhD/MPhil
Master of Biomedical Science
Honours

Satzke Group

catherine.satzke@mcri.edu.au

2 vacancies

Themes
Bacterial and Parasitic Infections
Cross Cutting Disciplines
Global Health
Clinical and health systems research

The Satzke group conducts research in a clinically-relevant context. We focus on the microbiology of pathogens of major global health importance (including pneumococcus and group A streptococcus) to understand their pathogenesis, interaction with viruses, and how infections can be best prevented with vaccines.


Satzke Group Current Projects