Honours /Masters Project 2016
Characterisation of a Novel Therapeutic Class for Giardia infection
in Dogs and Humans
Short project description & main objectives:Giardia is today well recognised as one of the most prevalent intestinal infections of humans in both temperate and tropical areas, with prevalence rates varying between 2-7% in Europe, United States of America, Canada and Australia, to over 40% in developing areas where living conditions are poor, nutritional levels are often inadequate and concurrent infections are common. In Asia, Africa and Latin America, about 200 million people have symptomatic Giardia infections, with some 500,000 new cases reported each year. In developed countries, infections with Giardia are most common in children, especially in day care centres, residents of institutions, and travellers. A rising incidence in such settings has led to the designation of giardiasis as a re-emerging infectious disease in the developed world. The emerging issue of Giardia infections in developing regions of the world and the impact on children is a major factor in the recognition of Giardia as a Neglected Disease
All the anti-giardial that are used for the management of Giardia, but most of these drugs have significant deficiencies including suboptimal intrinsic efficacy, side effects, compliance issues and acquired resistance
Giardia duodenalis is the most prevalent enteric parasite identified in dogs in developed countries and is also common in developing countries
Giardia infection in dogs is an important issue, both from the veterinary and human medical point of view. Currently there are no drugs specifically designed to treat companion animals in Australia (and many other countries around the world).
There is considerable need for a safe, efficacious, and easily administered treatment for both humans and dogs.
We have identified a novel classes of anti-giardial compound that have shown promising results in the laboratory. This is now being developed at Murdoch University in collaboration with an Australian pharmaceutical company, Neoculi Pty. Ltd. This honours project will aim to identify the efficacy of this drug against giardia isolated from clinical infections in dogs and humans.
The objectives of the project includes:
1)Isolation and molecular characterization of Giardia from dogs and humans
2)Evaluating the efficacy of the novel compounds against Giardia strains isolated from dogs and humans
Principal supervisor: / Dr. Sam Abraham
Other supervisors: / Dr. Mark O’Dea
Contact details for furtherinformation: /
Closing date for applications: / July 2016
Start & finish date of project: / July 2016 – June 2017
Available part-time? / No
Additional funding/scholarship provided: / Opportunity to apply for a scholarship with the drug development company
Other benefits: / Experience in working with drug development company.
Extra Comments: / This project will suits someone who is interested in infectious diseases and drug development. The project will also provide basic parasitology, microbiology and molecular biology skills.
School of VLS25 May 2016