2012 Research Opportunities - wildlife

Investigation of the development of the immune system of brushtail possum pouch young.

The information obtained from this project will result in greater understanding of the way in which the immune system develops in marsupials through the detailed investigation of one species – the common brushtail possum. Although the findings will be focussed on a particular species, they will represent a significant addition to the very limited previously published studies of marsupial immune system development and thus will add to fundamental understanding of marsupial immunology. In addition, outcomes of the study will have direct implications for the development of effective strategies for optimal care and maintenance of health in orphaned young.

Specifically, the project will determine the presence, histological (microscopic) organisation and population by lymphocytes and plasma cells of the major lymphoid tissues of the immune system. While functional studies will not be possible with the samples available, likely functional capabilities can be extrapolated from these structural studies and from earlier work carried out in other species. As well as providing fundamental information about the development of the brushtail possum immune system that is currently lacking, ultimately it is envisaged that this knowledge can be used to better inform veterinarians and wildlife carers about the capacity of pouch young of different ages to respond to infectious disease, thus leading to improved care and outcomes for orphaned young.

Further Information:

This project would be best suited to a Masters program initially. Project funding is confirmed but scholarship funding would need to be obtained from other sources.

More information can be obtained from Dr Susan Hemsley

Investigation into the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of analgesics used in koalas

Therapeutic drugs are used by koala facilities to medicate koalas for a number of reasons. Koalas are frequently medicated with analgesics to treat or burns, feral animal attacks and car accidents. The koala’s diet has a high proportion of plant secondary metabolites (PSMs), consequently the koala is presumed to have physiological adaptations to minimise oral absorption and maximize elimination of these PSMs. Like PSMs, we have found that all the drugs we have investigated so far such Metacam®, Baytril® etc are poorly absorbed and rapidly eliminated by koalas. We suspect this is probably the case with analgesic drugs and want to test this hypothesis. In the first instance we will select two to three commonly used analgesics used in koalas and will work up the liquid chromatography assays for each of these drugs to detect their concentration in biological fluids. Then will test these agents with in vitro models to ascertain the extent of oral absorption (an everted sac model) and extent of metabolism (by the microsome assay which is a model of phase 1 hepatic metabolism). Finally we will investigate the in vivo pharmacokinetics of these agents in koalas to formulate a more effective dose rate of these drugs in this species. There is also a requirement to develop a pain scale and / or optimize a currently available diagnostic test for koalas to measure the effectiveness of these drugs in this generally regarded ‘stoic’ species.

Supervisor:A/Prof Merran Govendir

Further Information:

We are looking for a veterinarian or an animal/biological science graduate with a first class honours (Hons I) or equivalent. Graduates with Hons I degrees are eligible for Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA), which currently pays a tax exempt stipend of approximately $23,000 pa for 3.5 years. For a candidate to be successful for an APA for semester 1, 2012, applications for an APA must be submitted to the University Research Office by October 28, 2011.

Candidates will have their travel and accommodation expenses covered to attend koala facilities to obtain and collect samples such as the Koala Preservation Society at Port Macquarie NSW and Australia Zoo, Beerwah QLD.

Candidates will be expected to contribute to the koala post-mortem service provided by the Faculty for deceased koalas sent by the KPS Hospital.
If you are interested in a career in veterinary pharmacology, the skills you will learn in this project will assist you to obtain positions in veterinary pharmaceutical companies and give you a deeper understanding of drug pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics used in veterinary practice.

Liquid and frozen storage of Asian elephant spermatozoa

Modern reproductive management of captive wildlife populations involves the use of assisted reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination (AI) to produce offspring. AI is conducted to maximise genetic diversity in the captive population without the need to transport males between institutions. A prerequisite for this method of artificial breeding is the ability to collect and successfully store semen (in liquid or frozen form) from males in order to allow for the time necessary to transport semen across state and even international borders. To date there has been relatively little success in the storage of Asian elephant semen, limiting the use and benefits of AI in this species.
An opportunity exists for a three year student PhD project (commencing March 2012) to develop methods for the successful liquid and frozen storage of Asian elephant semen. This project would be conducted in association with Taronga Conservation Society and other Australian zoological parks with Asian elephants in their collection. As such, it will involve extensive travel within Australia and require a highly committed and motivated student. The project is subject to successful grant funding to be advised in January 2012

ELIGIBILITY: The successful candidate must have completed an undergraduate degree in agriculture, animal, veterinary or biological science, have research experience (Honours or Master’s degree), excellent communication skills, and be willing to undertake field studies. Applicants should hold have a particular interest in sperm physiology and applied andrology. Experience in semen processing and assessment is highly desirable, but not essential. Applicants must be Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents. The successful candidate will hold an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or equivalent stipend.

APPLICATION GUIDE: Further information can be obtained from Supervisor:Dr Simon de Graaf, E-mail: Applications should be sent direct to Dr de Graaf at the above address and should include a curriculum vitae, a copy of an academic transcript, and the names and contact details of at least two referees