Research
1) Malaria mosquitoes of Australasia and the Pacific
We have been studying the evolution, distribution and movement of Anopheles mosquito species across our region (Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands) for over 20 years. We developed and use DNA-based tools to distinguish malaria transmitting Anopheles species from the many non-vector species in order to study their biology, ecology and potential to adapt to traditional mosquito control strategies. Evolutionary and population genetic studies are then used to assess historical and contemporary movement, areas of high gene flow and barriers to movement. Working closely with the Australian Defence Force's Malaria and Infectious Diseases Institute (ADF-MIDI), our aim is to deliver better knowledge on our regional malaria vectors, in part by developing an extensive malaria vector spatial-genetic database to assist in the design, execution and monitoring of future mosquito control strategies.
We have been studying the evolution, distribution and movement of Anopheles mosquito species across our region (Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands) for over 20 years. We developed and use DNA-based tools to distinguish malaria transmitting Anopheles species from the many non-vector species in order to study their biology, ecology and potential to adapt to traditional mosquito control strategies. Evolutionary and population genetic studies are then used to assess historical and contemporary movement, areas of high gene flow and barriers to movement. Working closely with the Australian Defence Force's Malaria and Infectious Diseases Institute (ADF-MIDI), our aim is to deliver better knowledge on our regional malaria vectors, in part by developing an extensive malaria vector spatial-genetic database to assist in the design, execution and monitoring of future mosquito control strategies.
2) Endemic and exotic mosquitoes (arbovirus threats)
Exotic arbovirus vectors
The dengue vector Aedes aegypti utilised humans to invade Australia and is currently endemic to Queensland, but could potentially re-emerge throughout Australia urban regions as a result of a changing climate and the dramatic expansion of domestic rainwater tanks that are being installed to drought-proof our urban landscapes. Also of concern, the particularly pesky Asian tiger Aedes albopictus that has expanded its distribution into southern Papua New Guinea and the Torres Strait Islands, now threatening invade mainland Australia. We are looking at the evolution, distribution, movement and biosecurity threats of both these mosquitoes in our region. We don't want the Asian tiger mosquito establishing on mainland Australia, so we are working on developing new population suppression tools to boot it back out when it arrives - see below.
Australasian arbovirus vectors
Mosquitoes in the Culex sitiens subgroup are the major endemic arbovirus vectors of our region and comprise several unsubscribed cryptic species. We are using evolutionary and population genetics approaches to tease out the cryptic species status of this group, develop molecular diagnostics and study the biology and ecology of these mosquitoes in our region of the world.
3. Mosquito control
Reduction and removal of Aedes species by releasing sterile/incompatible males
We are working in a highly collaborative group on a couple of neat projects that are using sterile /incomparable males to reduce and remove exotic invasive Aedes mosquito species that transmit human pathogen. With an initial focus on the dengue mosquito (Aedes aegypti), we have been working with NHMRC, CSIRO and Verily Life Science (an Alphabet/Google affiliate) to use the useful bacteria Wolbachia to develop reproductively incompatible male mosquito release technology to reduce and this mosquito from human landscapes. Our first field trial in the northern Cassowary Coast "Debug Innisfail" of Queensland showed the Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) to be robust and viable -- thank you the the Cassowary Coast Community for being part of the science.
Developing a malaria resistant "gene-drive Anopheles farauti"
Recent funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will help us develop a Plasmodium falciparum refractory gene-drive Anopheles farauti in Australia. Here is an exciting opportunity to investigate this novel approach for malaria control in collaboration with the Anthony James team at UC and QIMR Berghoffer Medical Research Institute.
Exotic arbovirus vectors
The dengue vector Aedes aegypti utilised humans to invade Australia and is currently endemic to Queensland, but could potentially re-emerge throughout Australia urban regions as a result of a changing climate and the dramatic expansion of domestic rainwater tanks that are being installed to drought-proof our urban landscapes. Also of concern, the particularly pesky Asian tiger Aedes albopictus that has expanded its distribution into southern Papua New Guinea and the Torres Strait Islands, now threatening invade mainland Australia. We are looking at the evolution, distribution, movement and biosecurity threats of both these mosquitoes in our region. We don't want the Asian tiger mosquito establishing on mainland Australia, so we are working on developing new population suppression tools to boot it back out when it arrives - see below.
Australasian arbovirus vectors
Mosquitoes in the Culex sitiens subgroup are the major endemic arbovirus vectors of our region and comprise several unsubscribed cryptic species. We are using evolutionary and population genetics approaches to tease out the cryptic species status of this group, develop molecular diagnostics and study the biology and ecology of these mosquitoes in our region of the world.
3. Mosquito control
Reduction and removal of Aedes species by releasing sterile/incompatible males
We are working in a highly collaborative group on a couple of neat projects that are using sterile /incomparable males to reduce and remove exotic invasive Aedes mosquito species that transmit human pathogen. With an initial focus on the dengue mosquito (Aedes aegypti), we have been working with NHMRC, CSIRO and Verily Life Science (an Alphabet/Google affiliate) to use the useful bacteria Wolbachia to develop reproductively incompatible male mosquito release technology to reduce and this mosquito from human landscapes. Our first field trial in the northern Cassowary Coast "Debug Innisfail" of Queensland showed the Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) to be robust and viable -- thank you the the Cassowary Coast Community for being part of the science.
Developing a malaria resistant "gene-drive Anopheles farauti"
Recent funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will help us develop a Plasmodium falciparum refractory gene-drive Anopheles farauti in Australia. Here is an exciting opportunity to investigate this novel approach for malaria control in collaboration with the Anthony James team at UC and QIMR Berghoffer Medical Research Institute.
Anopheles farauti collections through the Southwest Pacific. This particular malaria vector presents strong behavioural resistance to indoor residue spraying and insecticide treated bednets, making traditional malaria vector control for this species tricky and new approaches to control this mosquito will be required.