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Research at the SABC

Profiles of Research Project Leaders

Professor Mike Jones (Division of Science & Engineering - Plant Sciences)

Mike is the Foundation Director of the SABC, and leads the Plant Biotechnology Research Group. He has four main research activities:
- molecular plant nematology
- molecular plant virology
- marker assisted breeding and
- plant transformation
Areas of expertise include:
- Plant tissue culture
- Diagnostics
- Phytoparasitic nematodes
- Fungal and viral diseases of plants
- Plant molecular biology
- Transgenic plants
- Genetic engineering of plants (eg. lupin, tomato, potato)

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Professor David Hampson
(Division of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences)

Professor David Hampson leads the veterinary microbiology group which has concentrated on developing and applying methods for detection and subspecific differentiation of important animal pathogens and zoonotic agents. A variety of bacteria have been studied but most efforts have been focused on intestinal spirochaetes of the genus Brachyspira. This has resulted in the identification of a new pathogenic species B. pilosicoli.

Areas of expertise include:
- Diagnostics
- Bacterial infections
- Strain Typing

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Dr Philip O'Brien
(Division of Science & Engineering - Biotechnology Programme)

Dr O'Brien's research focuses on the application of molecular techniques to develop new approaches to controlling fungal diseases of native vegetation and agricultural crops. Techniques such as RFLP and AFLP analysis, PCR and DNA sequencing are used to probe the structure of fungal pathogen populations, and the genetics and epidemiology of the pathogen. DNA diagnostic technology based on microarrays or microfluidic analysis for detaction of pathogens in soil or plant material is crucial for the development of effective quarantine and disease management practices.

Areas of expertise include:
Molecular markers
- Quality
- Gene identification and transfer
- Transformation

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Professor Andrew Thompson
(Division of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences)

The major focus of Andrew's research is the application of PCR-based techniques to studies on the molecular epidemiology and control of the common parasites Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Echinococcus and Ostertagia.

Areas of expertise include:
- Diagnostics
- Molecular markers
- Identification and
- Quality

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Professor Graham Wilcox
(Division of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences)

As a virologist, Graham teaches mainly in the Veterinary Microbiology component of Biology of Disease. His research is on viruses infecting domestic animals, currently the bovine lentivirus causing Jembrana disease in cattle, procine and psittacine circoviruses and viruses associated with respiratory disease in horses in Western Australia.

Areas of expertise include:
- Animal vaccines
- Animal virology

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Professor Richard Oliver
(Division of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences)

Richard is the Director of the ACNFP. His research activities are in molecular plant pathology
- Pathogenicity determinants of Stagonospora nodrum
- Disease resistance signaling in Medicago truncatula

Areas of expertise include:
- Molecular fungal and plant genetics
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
- Biochemistry
- Phylogenetics

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