Current Projects

Areas of Research

• Comparative Genomics
• Immunogenetics
• Molecular Evolution

The Tasmanian Devil Project

We are studying the immunogenetics of Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). DFTD has led to the loss of over half 80% of our devils and may lead to the extinction of the species in the wild. Further information can be found at http://www.tassiedevil.com.au.

The Tammar Wallaby Project

We are studying the genome of the wallaby. Together with ProfDr Stephan Beck from the Sanger InstituteUniversity College London we are sequencing the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). We are also focusing on characterizing antimicrobial peptides, cytokines, NK receptors and other immune genes in wallabies and other marsupials.

The Koala Project

Together with the Koala Infectious Disease Group we are looking at the role the MHC plays in disease susceptibility of koalas to Chlamydia.

The Platypus Project

Together with researchers in Molecular and Microbial Biosciences we are characterizing the molecular composition of platypus venom.

The Genome Project

The AWGG are working on the Tammar Wallaby, Opossum and Platypus genome projects.