Marine and environmental immunology: biotic and abiotic impacts in herpesvirus epizootics in oysters

Summary

This project will investigate oyster immune responses to an emerging disease, Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome - POMS, at individual and population scales through laboratory and epidemiological field trials.

Supervisor(s)

Professor Richard Whittington, Dr Navneet Dhand

Research Location

Faculty of Veterinary Science

Program Type

PHD

Synopsis

There is a current epizootic in Pacific oysters (C. gigas) due to the herpesvirus OsHv which had devastated commercial oyster production in France and other countries. The disease was detected in Sydney in 2010. This PhD project will investigate interactions between environmental factors and immunity in oysters in the field and also in laboratory studies. The goal is to devise control strategies to enable Australian oyster farmers to remain profitable. This project will seek to answer fundamental questions about how molluscs evolve through natural selection to cope with devastating diseases. The project will involve collaboration with researchers in France and throughout Australia and may require extensive travel.

Additional Information

The successful candidate must have completed an undergraduate degree in science, agriculture, veterinary science or equivalent, have research experience (Honours or Master’s degree), good analytical and communication skills, and be willing to undertake marine and estuarine field studies.

The successful applicant must apply for and be awarded a scholarship (stipend) for example, an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or IPA (International Postgraduate Award). For international students, the student must have a scholarship which covers full tuition fees and a living allowance.The project is based at the Camden campus.

Keywords

Oyster, Pacific Oyster, POMS, Oyster immune

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 1378

Other opportunities with Professor Richard Whittington

• Immune mechanisms in resistance versus susceptibility to mycobacterial infection
• other research opportunities available at Faculty of Veterinary Science
• Vaccines for Johne’s disease: defining protection
• Immune modulation during mycobacterial infection:host and pathogen processes
• The development of a new rapid test for determining the serogroup and virulence of footrot affecting Merino sheep

Other opportunities with Dr Navneet Dhand

• Epidemiological investigations into the 2007 equine influenza outbreak in Australia.
• Q fever: How common is it and how can we best prevent it? Research to inform vaccine policy for Australia and internationally