Molecular epidemiology of koala chlamydial infections on the Koala Coast

Overview

Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.

The koala is an icon of the rich biodiversity we enjoy in our country. Despite its international recognition, wild koala populations are under threat from a variety of sources. While the major threat to the koala comes from land clearing and urban pressures, diseases threaten the long-term viability of the wild koala populations.

The main pathogen of the koala is Chlamydia pecorum, an obligate intracellular bacterium and cause of ocular, urinary and reproductive tract disease. Chlamydial disease levels are greatest in the highly populated regions of south-east Queensland and northern NSW and appear to be on the increase. These areas contain a significant proportion of Australia's koala population and have the highest levels of chlamydial infection and disease.

Two strategies to tackle the rapid decline of koalas in this bioregion involve relocation of healthy animals and the development of a koala chlamydial vaccine. To complement these strategies and together with wildlife researchers from the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah and the Gold Coast City Council, we are surveying wild koala populations in the Koala Coast region and (i) quantifying the burden of C. pecorum infection on wild koalas and; (ii) measuring the genetic diversity of C. pecorum infections in these animals.

This data will then be compared to recent results from our surveys of wild koala populations in Brisbane's north to form a complete picture of the prevalence and diversity of C. pecorum infections in south-east Queensland.

Hypothesis: The infectious burden and genetic diversity of C. pecorum infections in the Koala Coast region are representative of the situation across south-east Queensland.

Aim 1: Quantitative real-time PCR detection and amplification of C. pecorum DNA

Aim 2: Determine the genetic diversity of C. pecorum infections detected in the Koala Coast populations

Aim 3: Evaluate the relationship between different C. pecorum strains and infectious
burden in the Koala Coast populations

Methods and techniques that will be developed in the course of this project:

  • Animal sampling and health assessment of koalas
  • DNA extraction and quantitative real-time PCR
  • DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis
Study level
Honours
Supervisors
QUT
Organisational unit

Science and Engineering Faculty

Research area

Cell and Molecular Biosciences

Contact
Please contact the supervisor.