Boost for Massey Research into Campylobacter

NEW ZEALAND - Eleven research projects led by Massey Unversity staff have been awarded a total of NZ$5.4 million in funding over the next three years from the Marsden Fund administered by the Royal Society. Among the projects to receive finiancial support is one looking into the evolution of Campylobacter.
calendar icon 24 September 2008
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Professor Nigel French, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, receives $740,000 for a project entitled Cows, Starlings and Campylobacter in New Zealand: unifying phylogeny and epidemiology to gain insight into pathogen evolution.

The introduction of European wildlife and livestock into New Zealand has provided us with a unique opportunity to study the evolution of a globally important human pathogen, Campylobacter jejuni.

Using analytical tools developed by the research team at Massey University and detailed laboratory studies including whole genome sequencing, Professor French says they aim to exploit the newly discovered host specificity of C. jejuni strains and the historical separation of both host and bacterial populations, to improve our understanding of C. jejuni evolution.

"Ultimately we can learn why C. jejuni emerged to become such a prominent pathogen, anticipate further evolution and restrict emergence and spread of new strains," he said.

Further Reading

- Find out more information on Campylobacter by clicking here.

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