News

Awarded May 2020 for a period of five years

Project

Enhancing control of enteric bacteria through pathogen genomics

Context

The bacterial family, the Enterobacteriaceae, has long been associated with causing serious infectious in humans. These bacteria constantly evolve and adapt, with new pathogens emerging and established pathogens increasingly evading existing control strategies.

Dr Ingle’s program will explore common problems posed by members of the Enterobacteriaceae using three exemplar pathogens, namely pathotypes of Escherichia coli, Shigella species and serovars of Salmonella enterica.

“ We need new knowledge, new paradigms, and new tools to enhance control of threats posed by these pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae, which are becoming increasingly multidrug resistant,” Dr Danielle Ingle said.

“My program will produce important data on the evolutionary dynamics of pathogenic members of the Enterobacteriaceae family. The outcomes of this research will inform future targeted intervention strategies, aid the development of novel therapeutic options, and identify diagnostic markers for virulence.”

Over the next five years, Dr Ingle’s overarching research vision is to develop a program that provides critical knowledge about the evolutionary, outbreak and virulence dynamics of enteric pathogens.

It will integrate the rapid advances of genomics with population modelling, molecular microbiology and epidemiology to explore the public health threats posed by multidrug resistant Enterobacteriaceae that are of global importance.

“I am currently appointed honorarily at the University of Melbourne, and am excited to be moving formally to the Doherty Institute through the support of the NHMRC Investigator Grant.

“The grant will enable me to undertake cutting edge research on bacterial pathogens and to develop my own research program, all with the support of the great research environment at the Doherty Institute,” said Dr Ingle.