Infection and Immunity
Discovering how the microbial world impacts the macro-world we live in
Infection and Immunity at UWA studies microorganisms and the innate immune systems of animals. Our staff are internationally renowned for their research, and collaborate nationally and internationally.
Our team includes Professor Barry Marshall who, along with Dr Robin Warren, received the Nobel prize in 2005 for discovering that the Helicobacter pylori infection causes stomach ulcers.
Microbiology covers the broader concept of micro-organisms in healthy living systems such as environmental ecosystems (terrestrial and aquatic) in addition to agriculture and biotechnology.
We also study the emerging role of the microbiome in the development of healthy immune responses.
Our specialist research areas include:
- Molecular pathogenesis of infectious agents – identifying factors necessary for invasive disease
- Genomic epidemiology of infectious diseases – the investigation and reconstruction of communicable disease outbreaks using the whole genome sequences of isolates collected from patients
- Medical counter measures to infectious disease – developing novel medical counter measures including the use of natural products and inhibitors of virulence properties of pathogens that supplement traditional treatment therapies
- Microbiomes in health and disease – Understanding the nature and source of the microbiome at the start of life
- Diagnostics – procedures to confirm, or determine the presence of disease in an individual suspected of having the disease, usually following the report of symptoms, or based on the results of other medical tests
- Immunology – looking at immunity and related medicine and biology
The role of microorganisms in our lives is incredibly diverse, from priming our childhood immune system for a healthy life, to causing minor infections or severe outcomes and death. Understanding the balance between these extremes will improve healthy living.Charlene Kahler, Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Sciences
Research into antibacterial properties of honey showcased
A UWA research project screening Western Australian honey for bioactivity traits that could support health products is uncovering some surprising results.
Read moreUWA’s Dr Mitali Sarkar-Tyson wins national Project Leader Award
Dr Mitali Sarkar-Tyson from the School of Biomedical Sciences has won the Project Leader Award from the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC).
Read moreMicrobiology Award for UWA’s Charlene Kahler
The Marshall Centre's Deputy Director Associate Professor Charlene Kahler has been awarded the Australian Society of Microbiology Distinguished Service Award.
Read moreUWA Scientists make breakthrough in fight against superbugs
In this collaboration, Professor Alice Vrielink has solved the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme responsible for polymyxin resistance.
Read moreResearch to help fight multi-resistant bacteria
An international collaboration led by scientists from The University of Western Australia has uncovered the three-dimensional molecular structure of a protein, called EptA, which is responsible for multi-drug resistance in many disease-causing bacteria.
Read moreResearch projects
Our current research activities include strong international partnerships:
- Identification and characterisation of virulence associated genes in Burkholderia pseudomallei Identification and molecular epidemiology of exotic and endemic mosquito-borne viruses
- Immunopathogenesis of mosquito-borne infections
- Developing immunotherapies to treat allergies and inflammatory diseases using Helicobacter pylori-based products
- Pathogenesis determinants in hyper-virulent Neisseria meningitidis
- Genomic epidemiology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: unique genetic lineages in remote communities of Western Australia
- Inhibition of the immunophilin family of proteins in multiple bacterial pathogens
- Novel therapeutics against multi-drug resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Antimicrobial activity of natural products
- Microbiome and metabolome of pregnancy and early life
Projects
- Helicobacter pylori population genomics, antibiotic resistance, and epidemiology studies
- Metagenomics approach for anorexia research, translation and evaluation
- The Noisy Guts Project
- Efficacy and characterisation of natural anti-leishmanial compounds
- Bacteriophage biology and use in phage therapy
Industry partners
We conduct our research in collaboration with the following organisations and universities:
- Seattle Structural Genomics Centre for Infectious Diseases
- Beryllium Discovery
- Defence Material Transfer Centre (Australia)
- King Edward Memorial Hospital
- Women and Infants Research Foundation
- CSIRO
- Murdoch University
- Taronga Zoo and Conservation society
- University of Queensland
- Monash University
- University of Melbourne
- Human Microbiome Collaborating Centre