The Bacterial Genomics Research Group, led by Dr Leah Roberts, aims to investigate clinically-important bacterial pathogens using genome sequencing technologies.
This includes:
- Identifying and tracking genomic markers for antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
- Tracking pathogen transmission on a local and global scale
- Developing new bioinformatics pipelines and databases for rapid sequencing-based diagnostics
Bacterial infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Hospital-acquired infections (HAI) are particularly problematic, as:
- Hospitals house a large population of vulnerable patients, including those with weakened immune systems, and
- Frequent use of antibiotics in hospitals creates a selective pressure promoting the existence of highly resistant bacteria.
A review on AMR commissioned by the United Kingdom in 2014 predicted that deaths caused by antibiotic resistance would reach 10 million by the year 2050, far exceeding other causes such as Cancer or Diabetes. A more recent study published this year in the Lancet journal already estimated 5 million deaths globally associated with AMR in 2019, with the most prominent causative pathogens being those already frequency encountered in hospital settings.
Our research goal is to understand the spread of pathogens, particularly those with AMR, and develop sequencing-based methods for the enhanced surveillance and intervention of ongoing transmission.
Research students
- Nicholas Gecks-Preston (MPhil - QUT)
- Anil Pokhrel (MPhil - QUT)
- Yusuf Maulana Idres (PhD - QUT)
Previous group members
- Aasha McMurray-Jones (VRES/RA)
- Nhi Hoang (WIL)
- Mariam Thera (WIL)
Australian
- Pathology Queensland
- Centre for Microbiome Research (QUT)
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (QUT)
- Queensland Forensic Scientific Services (QFSS)
- St Vincent’s Hospital Toowoomba
- Dr Patrick Harris
- Dr Michael Hall
- A/Prof David Whiley
- Dr Yaoqin Hong
International
- Prof Zamin Iqbal
- Dr Estee Torok
- Dr John Lees
- Dr Rob Finn
- Dr Lauren Cowley
- Dr Rhys White
- Using pangenomes to explore microbial diversity and evolution
- Characterising the epidemiology of carbapenemases in Australia
- Understanding the epidemiology of species associated with hospital-acquired infections
Projects can be adapted to Honours, MPhil or PhD level.
Experience with bioinformatics/command line preferable but not required.
Contact Dr Roberts to discuss further.
Lead investigator
- NHMRC EL1 Investigator Fellowship, “Understanding plasmid-mediated dissemination of AMR in Australia”
- EBPOD Fellowship, EMBL-EBI, University of Cambridge
Co-investigator
- Australian Infectious Disease (AID) Research Centre, “Identification of novel viability markers for N. gonorrhoeae and M. genitalium”
- BioLife, L.L.C, “Modelling the impact of dressing choice on vascular-access device mediated microbial translocation ex vivo”
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project, “The mobilome of the anaerobic methanotrophic archaea Methanoperedenaceae”
- Study, Education and Research Committee (SERC) Funding, “rapid ONT for urine diagnostics”