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Research Projects

Project: Using genomics to investigate the transmission of skin pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in a ‘One Health’ setting

Davies Group

Remote Indigenous Australian communities experience disproportionately high levels of skin disease associated with the bacterial pathogens, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus pyogenes. Our preliminary research indicates that dogs in remote Indigenous communities also carry MRSA more commonly than dogs in urban settings. A significant knowledge gap exists as to the role of household animals in the maintenance and transmission of skin pathogens in remote Australian communities. This project aims to use bioinformatics approaches to investigate the transmission of skin pathogens between humans and animals in areas of high disease burden.

Contact project supervisor for further
information and application enquiries

Project Supervisor

Dr Mark Davies

Project Co-supervisor

Associate Professor Steven Tong

Project availability
PhD/MPhil
Master of Biomedical Science
Honours

Davies Group

mark.davies1@unimelb.edu.au

3 vacancies

Themes
Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections
Host Pathogens Interactions
Cross Cutting Disciplines
Discovery Research
Genomics
Indigenous Health
Public Health

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

Research degrees at the Doherty Institute are administered by the University of Melbourne.

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We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the land where our Institute stands.

We are committed to collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to reduce the unacceptable burden of infectious disease. We are committed to training the next generation of exceptional Indigenous leaders in infection and immunity.

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