Print Post Approved PP 255003/08218 NEWSLETTER

Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017

OUTREACH SPECIAL

Pictured: a Federation University outreach event for schools called The Science Experiment (with thanks to Sarah Preston) ANNUAL CONFERENCE

St.KildaASP 2018 September 24th – Thursday 27th 2018 Novotel Hotel, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria

Registration and abstract Confirmed speakers include Plenary Lectures – ASP Kioloa Concepts in Parasitology Course Alumni Showcase submission will open ASP Invited International Lecturers early in 2018. Visit the Drugs and Drug Resistance • Kai Matuschewski (Humboldt- conference website Universität zu Berlin, Germany) • Kathy Andrews (Griffith University, for more information Australia) • Staffan Svärd (Uppsala University, www.parasite.org. Sweden) Parasites and Wildlife au/2018conference Plenary Lectures – Elsevier Parasitology • Alan Lymbery (Murdoch University, Australia) • Annapaola Rizzoli (Fondazione Edmund Mach, Italy) – IJP-PAW Invited Public Outreach and Parasitology Please contact the Lecturer Conference Coordinator, • Tony Chiovitti (Gene Technology Lisa Jones (lisa.jones1@jcu. Access Centre GTAC, Australia) edu.au) or 07-42321311 General Parasitology with any queries. • Jan Slapeta (University of Sydney, Australia)

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

St.KildaASP 2018 Print Post Approved PP 255003/08218 NEWSLETTER

Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 IN THIS ISSUE From the President’s Desk

3 From the President's Desk 5 2017 ASP Outreach Forum 6 Outreach stories 14 Name the Fellows 15 Education 16 Network News 20 Travel Award Report 21 Researcher News stories 24 Conference Reports 26 David Piedrafita & the WFP 28 International Journal for Parasitology 30 IJP:PAW 33 IJP:DDR Dear Members, held in October and Ala Tabor (UQ) chaired 35 Parasites: FWB Part 5 the 9th Tick and Tick-borne Pathogen It has been a wonderful year for the Conference in Cairns in August/September. 37 State News ASP. I would like to thank the outgoing Both conferences were very successful and president David Emery for his support in the next Tick and Tick-borne Pathogen 42 Jobs my new role. I would also like to thank Conference will be in Romania in 2020. the ASP Exec, Charlotte Oskam (Executive 44 Events Secretary), Amanda Ash (Treasurer) as well At the Leura conference, Dr Sarah Preston, as the current ASP council members for all from Federation University chaired the first 45 ASP Council their hard work. Their support is invaluable. ASP Outreach Forum for parasitologists interested in outreach activities to discuss In June this year, we had a very successful avenues of communications, ideas for ASP Annual Conference in Leura in the programs and sharing ideas. Since then Blue Mountains. Many thanks to Lisa we have had numerous fantastic outreach and Nick and the Conference Organising activities including Alpaca parasites in AustralianCommittee Society forfor organisingParasitology Inc.yet ABNanother 65 979 686 445Victoria, the UTAS Open Day and the fantastic conference. The next ASP Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD) conference will be in St Kilda, Melbourne Brisbane Ekka parasitology stands and the 24-27 September 2018. The Malaria in very successful Parasites in Focus display Melbourne conference chaired by Daniel and associated outreach activities at the Fernández-Ruiz and Dean Goodman was WA Royal Show in September (more details

www.parasite.org.au Page 3 From the President's Desk continued

later in the newsletter). Many thanks to PAW), Andy Thompson and Susan Kutz Thank you Lisa and Ian, for the newsletter all Members for their outreach efforts (who has replaced Lyden Polley) as well as and for all the member contributions. throughout the entire year. the Editorial Board members for their major Thanks Lisa too for always being so helpful contributions. and efficient and wonderful! I am delighted to announce that Brian Cooke will continue as Editor-in-Chief for In December this year, Alex Maier ran I wish you all a relaxing and peaceful IJP and Maria Meuleman will continue to another very successful Concepts in Christmas and New Year and hope that do an outstanding job in her role as the Parasitology (CIP) Course where world- 2018 will see the society continue to IJP Editorial Assistant. On behalf of the experts across a wide range of disciplines foster our discipline both nationally and ASP, I would like to thank Brian and Maria, shared their knowledge and insights with internationally. and the Deputy Editors Alex Loukas and PhD students and early career researchers, Jan Šlapeta, and the IJP Editorial Board equipping them with the conceptual Best regards, members, for all their hard work, which is framework, technological know-how and greatly appreciated. skills to meet the challenges of the future. Una Ryan A huge thank you to Alex for all the work President of the ASP I would also like to thank Andrew he has put into this and for establishing CIP Kotze and Kevin Saliba, the editors of as a world-recognised course. The society is www.parasite.org.au International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs very appreciative. Many thanks also to the www.facebook.com/ASParasitology and Drug Resistance (IJP-DDR), and the CIP committee and to all the contributing www.twitter.com/AS_Para editors of IJP-Parasites and Wildlife (IJP- lectures and participants.

Page 4 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 OUTREACH Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 The 2017 ASP Outreach Forum

Dr Sarah Preston, a Lecturer • Development and distribution of If you are interested in joining in Veterinary Bioscience outreach packs POWS please contact Sarah by email at Federation University [email protected] The group discussed how they might Australia chaired the first develop a collaborative outreach network ASP Outreach Forum at the to help leverage future government 2017 ASP Annual Conference funding, become more connected as a in June. network, have access to shared resources, and how they might set up a calendar of The purpose of this forum was to bring parasitology events. together parasitologists who were actively involved in outreach programs or who The group agreed on the following wanted to become involved so that they outcomes: could discuss avenues of communications, ideas for programs and sharing ideas. • Formation of a special interest group called POWS (parasite outreach Below: Dr Sarah Preston chairs the first Fifteen ASP members had a round table working session). ASP Outreach Forum discussion and discussed their own outreach programs, which included; • Set up a Facebook special interest Bottom left: Kathy Andrews' That's group through ASP social media RAD! Science project • Development of parasite and science related school books • Develop a conference session next year Bottom right: Rina Fu's My Mad based on outreach programs. Scientist Mummy book • Development of outreach programs for extension/end-users

• Parasite discussions in the pub

• Wild-science networks/zoo outreach programs

• Citizen science-“Scoop the poop” program

• University based outreach programs for national science week (face-painting, tattoos, badges, parasite games)

• Development of a theatre performance based on parasites

www.parasite.org.au Page 5 OUTREACH Student presentation competition at UTAS

A unique opportunity at participants were asked to vote for the a greater awareness of fish parasitology the University of Tasmania best presentation. The winner was UTAS and the research that is conducted by for ASP student members to PhD student Tina Oldham who was Tasmanian ASP student members. presented with a $100 Coles-Myer voucher present to a diverse audience. as a prize and History of Parasitology in Report by Barbara Nowak Australia book, the second place went The Annual Fish Histopathology workshop to Flinders University PhD student Jessica at the University of Tasmania conducted Buss. Following the competition Assoc by Professor Nowak offered a unique Prof Shokoofeh Shamsi gave a presentation opportunity for outreach and to showcase on nematode detection in fish. The parasitology research by our ASP student parasitology lunch session was attended members to an audience of veterinarians, by 20 workshop participants, tutors, the pathologists, university lecturers, event organiser as well as the ASP student researchers, students and government members. ASP funds were used to sponsor agency workers. The workshop participants the lunch and partially support the poster attending the outreach event included prize. The event was advertised to the participants from Australia and New workshop participants on the first day of Zealand. the workshop. This event has created

This outreach event, consisted of a lunchtime oral presentation session. The opening of the session included brief presentation about ASP. ASP banner was displayed and ASP leaflets distributed to all attendees.

In total 4 talks were presented to the workshop participants during their ASP sponsored lunch break. Presenting students were invited to attend the lunch to discuss their research with the participants. To encourage discussions and active participation the workshop

Above: Participants of Fish Histopathology Workshop examining slides under conference microscope

Far Left: The winner of the competition Tina Oldham

Near Left: Second place winner Jessica Buss

Page 6 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 OUTREACH Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 The UTAS Open Day

As has become a bit of a tradition, the University of Tasmania's Open Day on 12th August included a stand hosted by the ASP.

As in previous years, there were activities for children including colouring of pictures of fish parasites.

However, this year “molecular mystery” station was the primary attraction, this activity was directed at teenagers and adults. There was a steady stream of people throughout the whole day, and they all enjoyed getting into solving the mystery. The basic idea was to solve the mystery of “Who killed Sammy the salmon?” Everybody got a worksheet and could view the necropsy photos and background information. Then they would move on and read about 6 ‘suspects’ – pathogens potentially responsible for Sammy’s fate. Based on the photos of Sammy and background information on suspects, the participants had to narrow down the chase to three pathogens for further molecular analysis. At the next station PCR was explained including what it is used for and how it works. The participants had to do some calculations on the worksheet and prepared their “master mix”. The solutions were just water with food colouring, which allowed us to see if they used the wrong solution or put the wrong volumes because their master mix wouldn’t look right. So Above, top left: the participants got lots of pipette practice. The winner of the colouring competition Then the next station we had a gel, and gets her prize from Jessica Johnson- some molasses loading dye, and we Mackinnon explained how gel electrophoresis works and let them practice loading a gel. Finally, Above, top right: we had DNA fingerprint banding patterns Participants busy solving mystery “who for each of the suspects and the killer, and killed Sammy” they would use those results to determine who killed Sammy. Directly above: Reading the background information At the end of the day the winners of both while Tina Oldham (in the background) competitions received prizes. The stand supervises the station. was really popular and everybody enjoyed the activities. The activities were run by Right: PhD students Tina Oldham, Jessica Johnson- The winner of the mystery solving Mackinnon with help from Mai Dang and competition with his prize. Mei Ooi.

www.parasite.org.au Page 7 OUTREACH The Science Experiment

These images, from a Federation University outreach event for schools called The Science Experiment, were submitted by Sarah Preston

ASP Outreach Funding

ASP members are encouraged to apply for ASP funding to suport outreach in their state. Up to $500 per event is available with a total per state or territory of $2000 per calendar year. Initiatives should foster outreach by members and advance the field of parasitology. The funds can be used to support a wide range of activities - from seminars and symposia to "beer and nibbles" networking sessions of State members or any other parasitology-related event.

Submit your proposal to your ASP State/Territory Representative for consideration.

Page 8 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 OUTREACH Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 GRIDD at the EKKA

Griffith Institute for Drug making colourful slime, participating in social media, television, newspaper and Discovery (GRIDD) worked in various competitions, giveaway keyrings of radio broadcasts. Lastly, the Street Science collaboration with the Street microscopy images captured through our team also helped to promote the event, research and showbags. We also gave away encouraging patrons to come to our stall. Science team on a stall at the signed copies of Prof Katherine Andrews Brisbane Ekka. “My Mum is a Parasite Scientist” That’s Overall, the Ekka outreach event was a RAD Science children’s book. big success, which we believed to have Our target audience was the general public, benefited the Australian Society for research institutes staff and students, The event was promoted via GRIDD’s Parasitology by educating the general schools and any organisations that will Twitter account, GRIDD’s Facebook account public of the impact of infectious disease be interested. We had thousands of Ekka and GRIDD’s website. We sent out emails to around the world and the importance patrons walk through the Agricultural stakeholders and contacts. The organisers of our antimalarial and antikinetoplastid and Educational hall and attracted several of Ekka also did their own advertising via research. We also acknowledged ASP hundred interested through the many keyring patrons to the stall. parasite images that we The stall highlighted handed out and via the particularly the drug ASP banner we used as discovery research at backdrop for the “Dress up our institute including as a Scientist”. Lastly, we had the incorporation of many schools and interested images from fluorescent general public enquiring and image-based assay about “My Mum is a Parasite technologies developed Scientist” That’s RAD Science to assess compound children’s book, which activity against malarial was great for promoting and kinetoplastid parasitology science parasites. We awareness. accomplished our aim by promoting science, Thank you so much for your engaging young amazing support ASP!! children and adults in various activities such as making molecules from plasticine and straws,

www.parasite.org.au Page 9 OUTREACH Murdoch at the Perth Royal Show

Murdoch University in book. She said of the event “It was a bringing us all together. conjunction with the fantastic opportunity to connect with Department of Health hosted families and teachers in early childhood Over the 10 day period the awesomeness from Perth and regional areas in WA at the of parasites was highlighted to thousands. a number of stalls adjacent to Perth Royal Show. I am very encouraged by Narelle Dybing also paraded these fabulous "Parasites - Life Undercover: the overall support and excitement towards resources for the public at the Murdoch at the Perth Royal Show "My Mad Scientist Mummy", as there are open day, and for Science week this year. very few storybooks for young children that The Perth Royal Show (23rd September – talk about science, and 'have a woman 30th September 2017) hosted the event as the central character'. At the Murdoch “Parasites – Life undercover” from the booth, young children were particularly Images on the following page: Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, which is drawn to the blueberry cupcakes and a world class exhibition proudly presented 'Seto' the plush toy quokka who is a lab Top Row: Left ASP executive council by the Royal Agricultural Society of WA technician in the storybook. Over 170 members Charlotte Oskam, Amanda and the Department of Agriculture & Food families with young children and educators Ash, and President Una Ryan with a Western Australia (DAFWA), showcasing have expressed their interest in attending giant Flea cutout at the Perth Royal over 100 years of parasitology. It was a key the book launch next year, at which I hope Show. (Amanda’s photo) Middle: exhibition at the show and thousands of to include a sing-along and fun activities Promoting parasite awareness at the families went through the exhibition to be to engage young children in science. I show with a giant flea cutout. (Narelle) fascinated and/or horrified at the fantastic would love to hear from anyone who might Right: the Murdoch stand (Narelle) parasites on display. be interested to be involved at the book launch next year! I am grateful to Murdoch The remaining Images are all courtesy Murdoch University in conjunction with the University and the fantastic team for their of Rina Fu. Department of Health hosted a number support, particularly Caroline Jacobson and of stalls adjacent to Life Undercover at the Narelle Dybing for their tremendous efforts Below: The Parasites Suck liftout Perth Royal Show to raise awareness about in putting together such an attractiveParasites suck! Part 2: Animal hosts Education supplement parasites and the research conducted in and interactive showcase in Wildlife Bad news for bandicoots? Creatures in the great Australian bush are often infected with Although often deemed by humans as a disgusting parasites. The worry is that wildlife populations of threatened sight, ticks are a perfectly normal part of natural WA. The stalls were manned by volunteer bringing public awareness to species which are stressed will not be able to cope with their ecosystems. Ticks are usually host specific – parasites and decline, either temporarily or forever. which means they will not latch onto a species other than their preferred host. One exception is staff/students for the 10 days of the show. parasitology.” the kangaroo tick, which will crawl onto and bite humans, often leaving a nasty, irritating bite. Worries for Woylies Heaps of parasite themed give-aways were An engorged tick clings to the skin of The Woylie is a critically endangered a small bandicoot (above), and next to

A kangaroo tick. marsupial which lives in our South West. As tweezers after being removed (below). well as predation and habitat destruction, available including ‘fight the bite’ DOH In conjunction with the Royal two parasites have been identified which may be involved in their decline. These are Toxoplasma gondii (a parasite mosquito caps and water bottles, stickers, Show exposure the Sunday which encysts in the host tissue) and Trypanosoma (a parasite which lives in A juvenile woylie. the blood). The full impact these parasites have on the Woylie are not clear, but are pamphlets advising on pets, parasites, and Times included a 4 page likely to be a risk factor when populations This is what the Trypanosoma are under stress. parasite looks under a microscope. Ticked off in the bush These pictures were taken using a scanning electron microscope Wildlife are often seen as the original source of parasites that mosquito borne disease, and fantastic spread presented as lift-outs at the Centre for Microscopy, spread to humans or livestock. But in some cases there is evidence Characterisation and Analysis at to show that some parasites were originally introduced to wildlife the University of WA. populations from humans. Examples include Giardia, sarcoptic mange (scabies) and Echinococcus granulosus, a tapeworm parasite themed colouring-in sheets which of all things parasites aimed parasite (‘hydatids’). While parasites can be a threat to wildlife, they also have conservation value. Parasites are important components of were a hit ( Thanks Dr. Narelle Dybing ). at school aged children titled ecosystems and can alter the way that free-living animals (those that aren’t parasites) interact with each other. They may influence the behaviour of their hosts and regulate population sizes of the host Perhaps the most popular attraction at the ‘Parasites suck’. Sunday by changing birth and death rates. They can also act as ‘ecosystem Zoo animals need engineers’, providing new resources for animals. Reducing the parasite population and losing parasite species may have important parasite protection too! impacts on the way ecosystems function and can affect biodiversity. booth was the ‘fishing for parasite infested Times staff worked closely An important part of keeping zoo animals parasite free is regular checks. Keepers examine the animals every day for external

parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites. The zoo’s veterinary tick. a shake can’t snake This fish’. Children were able to fish for plastic with Murdoch parasitology nurses undertake examinations of the faeces of animals to check Reptile parasites regularly for internal parasites such as tapeworm and hookworm. Reptile parasites reproduce rapidly, causing large Some species get regular treatment infestations and devastating illness. Roundworms, fish which had the introduced parasite and DOH staff to develop to prevent parasites. The cockatoos hookworms and pinworms are some common receive oral medication every six endoparasitic infections, while ticks are a months. Dog species, such as the common ectoparasite. African Painted Dogs, receive Lernaea cyprinacea (anchor worm) attached the content which was run heartworm medication once a month. Occasionally, even the rhinos need treatment for worms, to them. It was so loved that some parents over two weeks. One lift- but that’s very simple – it is just Reporting poured onto their back and absorbed through the skin. on parasites is fun An app called MyPestGuide allows the Even zoo animals need protection had great difficulties dragging them away out focussed on parasites An infected pygmy perch. public to report pests to experts at the from parasites! Here, Perth Zoo Department of Primary Industries and staff are seen inspecting a Regional Development who will identify young African Painted Dog. The knock-on effect it, reply back and map it online. – some little ones stayed for hours just to affecting humans, and one Exotic parasites are those that have been introduced from another The new pest-monitoring and country. When new parasites surveillance community aims to defend

are introduced, they can Investigate WA’s agriculture industry and the natural keep fishing!!! Another hit was the ‘pin on those affecting animals. In cause major health problems environment from unusual, damaging or for hosts that have never suspected exotic pests. encountered them before. In Parasitologists will tell you the parasite to the right body part’ display. addition to this ‘Parasites suck’ WA a parasite called an anchor that looking for parasites worm (which is not really a Come face to face with is fun. Reporting your worm, but a small crustacean) observations will let you learn parasites and learn where was introduced with goldfish This was a human anatomy mannequin, was delivered to around 250 you can come into contact more about species in your or carp. The parasite has local area and have a great with them - through pets, found its way into our rivers, travel and maybe even food! excuse to get outdoors. Who probably when people released knows – maybe you will be schools in WA. Thankyou you their pet fish, and now attacks which people were able to pin a parasite to Discover Itching to know more? the first person to have a new native freshwater fish which parasite named after you! Search online for do not have natural defences ‘my pest guide’ for further information. where they thought it would be found in to all the team involved for against it. Appearing exclusively at

© Media Education 2017. Images courtesy of Aileen Elliot (Department of Parasitology Murdoch University), Stephen Doggett (Department of Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology), Thinkstock, Crystal Cooper, Professor Peter Irwin, Simon Cherriman, Rebecca Pendrill, Brad Kruger, WA Newspapers, the body. providing their time, resources Perth Zoo, Alex Cearns, Travis Hayto and the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis at UWA. and fantastic images,

Rina Fu was also there helping with the especially Caroline Jacobson Sponsored by:

Department of Primary Industries and Supported by the School of Veterinary and Life Sciences and The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University, displays and promoting her upcoming for all her hard work and for Regional Development Fight the Bite, and the Australian Society for Parasitology

Page 10 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 OUTREACH Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017

Murdoch at the Perth Royal Show continued

www.parasite.org.au Page 11 OUTREACH Alpaca parasites in Victoria

A team from the University say, we had a rapt audience. his mother’s kitchen but quickly abandoned of Melbournbe have been the idea when he thought about the raising awareness of parasites We began the day with a presentation scientific implications of his mother’s on some important livestock parasites, discovery of his newly found hobby). among alpaca farmers at Hill including liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica), With the help of another volunteer, we End Youth Camp tapeworm (Echinococcus granulosus) obtained another faecal sample which was and barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus negative for worm eggs. This was great The University of Melbourne’s parasitology contortus), outlining the importance of news and the kids are now determined to team comprising a technical lab assistant their life cycles with posters and preserved keep their animals worm-free. To show Dr Léa Indjein, a PhD student Mr Harun specimens. In addition, we also showed the students what to look for in faecal Rashid and an Honours student Ms Tana them some live samples of the free-living samples, we brought along some alpaca Sukee participated in a Hill End Youth roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans. This faeces with positive FEC to demonstrate camp in Victoria to raise awareness about was followed by lots of excellent questions the appearance of strongyle type eggs. No the importance of parasites among alpaca and discussion mainly focused on potential kitchens or alpacas were harmed during farmers. sources of gastrointestinal parasite infection these experiments! in alpacas, clinical signs, preventative The small farming community of Hill End strategies and drench resistance. Barber’s Overall, the workshop was a success, with is located in the foothills of the Great pole worm was the key focus of the students showing great interest in the topic Dividing Range near West Gippsland. With discussion due to the higher prevalence and and asking plenty of relevant questions. alpacas the main feature for this year’s Hill mortality in alpacas. We hope that engaging young people from End Youth Camp, the area became a key the alpaca industry in the workshop could meeting point for local alpaca breeders and After a brisk morning tea, we were out in prove to be an essential step in spreading other members of the alpaca industry. Even the sunshine and teaching the kids how understanding and methodologies in the not so local University of Melbourne to collect alpaca faecal material by rectal dealing with parasites. ‘I personally got a Molecular Parasitology team came along. sampling. We had many volunteers who lot out of the day, as this was my first time collected samples from two alpacas whilst doing extension work and I plan to do a With all eyes on the alpacas, we aimed Léa and Harun explained the equipment lot more of it in the near future’, says Tana to educate the kids about all the wriggly and steps required to perform a faecal – an Honours student at the University of parasitic organisms which can be found egg count (FEC), including substitutes for Melbourne. inside these placid animals. We also the flotation solutions that students can demonstrated how to collect and test prepare themselves (one volunteer quickly faecal samples for worm eggs. Needless to figuring how this all could be done in, say,

Clockwise from top left:

Harun and Lea demonstrating faecal egg counts to farmers

Harun and Lea explaining about parasites using gross and microscopic specimens

Harun demonstrating faecal egg count with the help of a young volunteer

Collection of faecal samples by alpaca farmers for faecal egg count of worms.

Page 12 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 OUTREACH Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 Two events in the ACT

August and September were Linden Muellner-Wong, Esther Rajendran, always, we received terrific technical support busy outreach months for Edwin Tjhin and Giel van Dooren (all from from Peta Moisis and her team from the ANU parasitologists from the the van Dooren lab), and Christina Spry and Research School of Biology Teaching and Erick Tjhin (both from the Saliba lab), all of Learning Centre. ANU with two events - a whom shared their enthusiasm for parasites stall at SCience in ACTion and parasitology research, and answered and Parasite Detectives in the questions of interested onlookers and the Conocophillips Science budding parasitologists. Experience In September, ACT parasitologists ran a “Parasite Detectives” prac for high school During National Science week in August, students from Canberra and Southern NSW parasitologists from the Australian National participating in the Conocophillips Science University (ANU) returned with their popular Experience. The Science Experience provides parasite themed stall to Science in ACTion, a Year 9 and 10 students with 3 science-filled Below. Outreach activities in the ACT. two-day STEM showcase attended by more days at the ANU. The budding parasitologists Top left, Melanie showcases one of than 7,200 people. Visitors to the stall were used a combination of molecular and the parasite specimens on display at the Science in ACTion parasitology both intrigued and disgusted by the parasite- microscopic approaches to diagnose their stall. Top centre, a visitor to the themed games (including match the parasite demonstrators, who presented at the prac stall inspects parasites under the with the host, parasite memory, and parasite with a parasitic infection. In a race against microscope. Bottom left, Sanduni and pictionary) and the specimens on show. time, the students managed to identify the Esther test out the parasite photo Many also took the opportunity to have their parasites their demonstrators were infected booth. Below centre, a visitor to the face-painted as a parasite and take photos with, and prescribe appropriate treatments. stall is transformed into a hookworm! at the parasitology photo booth. Thank ACT parasitologists participating in the Top right, students participating in you to Melanie Ridgway, who organised the prac included Erick Tjhin (Saliba lab), Esther the “Parasite Detectives” prac set to stall, and Merryn Fraser, Richa Harnal, Alex Rajendran, Sanduni Hapuarachchi, Edwin work to diagnose their demonstrators. Below right, the students present their Maier, Meenu Pratap and Meng Zhang (all Tjhin, Linden Muellner-Wong and Giel van diagnosis and treatment plan to the from the Maier lab), Sanduni Hapuarachchi, Dooren (all from the van Dooren lab). As group.

www.parasite.org.au Page 13 QUIZ Can you name these Fellows of the Society?

How time flies! The We are continuing to add more detail to If you have any suggestions for the parasitological luminaries our "Fellows of the Society" pages. As they improvement of these pages, please write featured in this edition of the grow over the coming months, these pages to Lisa Jones at [email protected] should form a fascinating biographical newsletter all became Fellows archive of some of the leading Australian of the Society around ten Parasitologiists of the last fifty years. years ago.

To put names to faces and to read a brief biography of each Fellow, visit parasite.org.au/the-society/fellows-of-the-society/

The answers can also be found at the bottom of page 41 of this newletter

Page 14 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 EDUCATION Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 Concepts in Parasitology

The 2017 edition of the Concepts in Parasitology course took place in Kioloa, NSW, 26th November to 9th December.

As always, the course was a great success, bringing together students from around Australia and a host of luminary figures from the world of parasitology.

A full review of the course and a gallery of images will be published in the next ASP newsletter, early in 2018.

The Australian Helminthological Collection

Advancing Knowledge: highly active – it Updating the Australian currently contains Helminthological Collection ~45,000 items Database. Danny Wilson (representing~4500 describes this important ASP- helminth taxa) preserved in ethanol funded initiative which was or on microscope initiated in Octover 2017. slides and ~1000 new items are The Australian Helminthological Collection deposited annually. (AHC) at the South Australian Museum Researchers (SAM) is the largest in the country and one worldwide use the of the most important in the world. information in the AHC database for In October 2017, the Australian Society various applications including taxonomic, contributors and users of the collection for Parasitology initiated project funding biodiversity and ecological studies. will have access to an accurate database to clean-up the database that collates the with extensive cross-referencing allowing AHC information. The grant was awarded In the most recent 2 year period there easy data extraction for multiple research to Dr. Leslie Chisholm (Senior Collection were 325 enquires and 40 publications applications. Manager – Parasitology, SA Museum) and citing specimens in the collection. Funding Em. Prof. Lesley Warner (SA Museum). It from the ASP to clean-up the parasite funds technical/data entry assistance to and taxonomy modules means that the update the helminth and host taxonomy accuracy of all database searches will be modules of the database that have not vastly improved. The end goal is ultimately been revised in many years. to upload the AHC Database onto the Atlas of Living Australia website so detailed The AHC contains specimens collected as searches of the information can be made far back as 1884 and includes helminths by researchers and the public globally. collected during Sir Douglas Mawson’s Antarctic explorations. The collection is Funding from the ASP ensures that future

www.parasite.org.au Page 15 NETWORK

News from the ASP Network for Parasitology

Welcome Parasites and Wildlife Thanks to Sarah Preston from Federation • Alan Lymbery (Murdoch University, University for chairing our first ASP Australia) Outreach Forum on Thursday 29th June 2018 ASP Annual Conference at the 2017 ASP conference. See the ASP Public Outreach and Parasitology Outreach Forum report in this newsletter The 2018 ASP Annual Conference will • Tony Chiovitti (Gene Technology to see how you can get involved and take place Monday 24th – Thursday Access Centre GTAC, Australia) come to the 2018 ASP Conference with 27th September at the Novotel Hotel, your Outreach ideas to share we will St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria. We hope General Parasitology have a Symposium session dedicated to that you will join us at this lovely venue • Jan Slapeta (University of Sydney, Outreach. for another wonderful collegial meeting Australia) to discuss the latest research and state- Network Researcher Exchange and of-the-art technologies in parasitology The conference will begin with our Travel Awards with our usual outstanding mix of quality Welcome Reception at Encore, St Kilda international and Australian scientists. Beach from 630pm Monday 24th Applications for the next Network The program is being finalised, but the September and the presentation of Researcher Exchange and Travel Awards following speakers and sessions have new ASP Fellows and conclude with the round close on 23 March 2018 check been confirmed: Conference Dinner at Luna Park St Kilda the ASP website for guidelines and the on Thursday 27th September just for some application form. ASP Invited International Lecturers fun, following the ASP AGM, both venues www.parasite.org.au/awards/ • Kai Matuschewski (Humboldt- are walking distance from the Novotel in jd-smythpostgraduate-travel-awards/ Universität zu Berlin, Germany) St Kilda. This venue has excellent transport • Staffan Svärd (Uppsala University, links with the airport bus and Melbourne Network Mentorship Scheme Sweden) tram stopping regularly at the front of the hotel. Once again we will be organising Network Mentorship Scheme Early career Plenary Lectures – Elsevier Parasitology special events for our Early Career researchers are encouraged to apply • Annapaola Rizzoli (Fondazione Researchers with details to follow. We to the Network Convenor (nick.smith@ Edmund Mach, Italy) – IJP-PAW would like to acknowledge the generous parasite.org.au), in strict confidence, for Invited Lecturer support of our 2018 ASP conference funding to participate in the Network sponsors, thanks to Virbac, Elsevier Mentorship Scheme. The scheme allows Plenary Lectures – ASP Kioloa Concepts in Parasitology and the International Journal young investigators to be paired with Parasitology Course Alumni Showcase for Parasitology (IJP), IJP DDR and IJP experienced, successful researchers to PAW. Registration and abstract submission discuss, plan, prioritise and set targets Drugs and Drug Resistance will open early in 2018 check out the for their career. Typically, the early career • Kathy Andrews (Griffith University, conference website for more information researcher will fly to the institute of a Australia) www.parasite.org.au/2018conference senior parasitologist and spend a day there. Arrangements for professional

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

St.KildaASP 2018

Page 16 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 NETWORK Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017

development and progress to be reviewed drugs to treat infectious diseases A/Pr Justin Boddey (Walter and Eliza by the pair annually can also be arranged. Hall Institute of Medical Research), Role Importantly, mentors need not be from Dr Danny Wilson (The University of of plasmepsin V and PTEX complex in an individual’s home institution but can Adelaide), Retargeting the antibiotic Plasmodium liver infection be drawn from across the Network. azithromycin as an antimalarial with dual The scheme has proved very valuable modality Prof Malcolm McConville (The University for several young researchers and their of Melbourne), Targeting phosphoinositide mentors already. Prof Stephen Rogerson (The University of metabolism in Leishmania Melbourne), A novel approach to identify the specific antibody characteristics Dr Ethan Goddard-Borger (Walter and Eliza important for protection from malaria in Hall Institute of Medical Research), The role of NHMRC Grants pregnant women protein glycosylation in the malaria parasite

Dr Wai-Hong Tham (Walter and Eliza Hall Dr Sheila Donnelly (University of NHMRC Postgraduate Institute of Medical Research), Molecular Technology, Sydney), Understanding how a Scholarships Mechanisms of Malaria Parasite Entry parasite-derived peptide prevents immune mediated demyelination Ms Sandra Duffy (Griffith University), Prof Katherine Andrews (Griffith Dora Lush Biomedical Postgraduate University), New antimalarial drug leads Dr Ethan Goddard-Borger (WEHI) The role Scholarship, The consequence of targeting multiple species and life cycle of protein glycosylation in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum culturing stages conditions on tolerance to anti-malarial NHMRC Development Grants drugs. Prof James Beeson (Macfarlane Burnet Institute), Mechanisms and targets of Dr Brad Sleebs (WEHI) Optimisation of a Dr Genevieve Oliver (Flinders University), antibody-complement interactions that potent and fast acting antimalarial class that Medical/Dental Postgraduate Scholarship, neutralize malaria is orally efficacious in vivo Neglected Retinal Infections Dr Sant-Rayn Pasricha (Walter Dr Jack Richards (Burnet Institute) NHMRC Project Grants and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Development of a glucose-6-phosphate Research), Benefits and safety of dehydrogenase/ haemoglobin point-of-care A/Pr Luke Guddat (The University IRon supplementation with MAlaria test for malaria elimination of Queensland), Inhibitors of chemoprevention to children in Malawi hypoxanthine-guanine-xanthine (IRMA) - A randomised controlled trial NHMRC RD Wright Biomedical phosphoribosyltransferase as versatile Career Development Dr Tina Skinner-Adams (Griffith Fellowships University), Combating giardiasis by Closing dates investigating new potent compound series Dr Darren Creek (Monash University) as leads for improved treatment options Enhancing anti-parasitic drug discovery with for ASP awards metabolomics Prof Leann Tilley (The University of ASP Fellowships Melbourne), Molecular basis of artemisinin Dr Michelle Boyle (Burnet Institute) 9 January 2018 action and resistance in Plasmodium T-follicular helper cell subtypes that induce

falciparum protective anti-malaria antibodies ASP Researcher Exchange, Travel and Training Awards & JD Smyth 29 September 2017 Dr Daniel Fernandez-Ruiz (The University Dr Stephan Karl (James Cook University) of Melbourne), Protecting against malaria Unravelling Plasmodium vivax transmission Bancroft-Mackerras Medal for through liver-resident memory T cells to Anopheles mosquitoes: Role of naturally Excellence acquired transmission blocking immunity and 30 September 2017 Prof Edward Holmes (The University efficacy of novel vaccine and drug candidates of Sydney), Using Metagenomics to More information Determine the Causative Agent(s) of Tick- www.parasite.org.au Borne Disease in Australia NHMRC Centres of Research

www.parasite.org.au Page 17 NETWORK

Excellence Fellowships to control tick fever, with significant economic benefits for the beef and dairy Prof Stephen Rogerson (Univesity of Prof Nicholas Anstey (Menzies School industries worldwide. Monash University Melbourne) Centre for Research Excellence of Health Research) Pathophysiology and $620,056 in Malaria Elimination treatment of malaria in our region Associate Professor Aaron Jex; Dr NHMRC Early Career Prof James McCarthy (Queensland Khashayar Khoshmanesh; Dr Erich Fellowships Institute of Medical Research) Translational Schwarz; Professor Paul Sternberg; Studies in Malaria Professor Dr Frank Schroeder This Dr Sarah Charnaud (WEHI) Improving project aims to show the role of chemo- malaria elimination strategies with NHMRC Research sensation as an equally important target genomics: tackling the unique problems Fellowship and NHMRC for worm control, and explore pathways posed by Plasmodium vivax, and P. Australia/European Union to prevent infection. Parasitic worms cost falciparum drug resistance Collaborative Research Grant global food/textile industry more than $100 billion dollars per year, and cause Dr Matthew Grigg (Menzies School of Professor Denise Doolan, James Cook disease in more than 1 billion people and Health Research) Risk factors, mechanisms, University – NHMRC Research Fellowship domesticated animals world-wide. This and treatment of knowlesi malaria and NHMRC Australia/European Union project will use a combination of imaging, Collaborative Research Grant systems biology, chemical biology and Dr Daniel Engelman (Murdoch Childrens Denise has been awarded a $849,540 microfluidic methods to provide significant Research Institute) Towards global National Health and Medical Research benefits, such as exploring Ascaris control of scabies: advances in diagnosis, Council (NHMRC) Principal Research chemo-sensation during larval migration, treatment and community control Fellowship to pursue her malaria vaccine identify the key host queues and parasite research, which also has potential genes regulating this process, and probe Dr Lucia Romani (University of New implications for other infectious diseases. helminth chemosensation as a novel South Wales) Optimising large-scale public In addition Denise has also been awarded target for anti-parasitic treatments. The health interventions to control Neglected a NHMRC-European Union grant University of Melbourne Tropical Diseases ($488,914) to support one aspect of her research translation. Professor Malcolm McConville; Dr Dr David Khoury (University of New Stuart Ralph; Dr Zoran Nikoloski; South Wales) Interdisciplinary insights into Dr Audrey John This project aims to the rational design of malaria therapy and investigate the origin and function of the vaccines large number of chemically undefined ARC Grants metabolites that occur in all cells. The NHMRC Early Career project will utilise advanced analytical Fellowships (Overseas) techniques, as well as computational and ARC Discovery Grants genetic approaches, to characterise the Dr Brendan Elsworth (University of chemical structures of these metabolites Melbourne) Plasmodium knowlesi as a Professor Brian Cooke; Dr Carlos and identity the enzymes involved in genetic model for Plasmodium vivax drug Suarez; Professor John Ellis This project their synthesis and degradation. It will resistance aims at gaining a deep understanding provide new information on the metabolic of the biology of Babesia parasites and capacity of eukaryotic cells and allow how they cause tick fever in cattle. The the generation of more accurate models NHMRC Research Fellowship project expects to discover novel parasite of metabolism. These outcomes have proteins involved in the development important biotechnology applications Prof Tania de Koning-Ward (Deakin and persistence of tick fever and identify and will identify metabolic processes that University) Interaction of malaria parasites their functional role in infection. The underpin normal and disease states in with their host main expected outcome is the discovery animals and human cells. The University of of parasite proteins that are critical for Melbourne NHMRC Practitioner infection and pathogenesis of cattle tick fever. The findings will contribute to the Associate Professor Bayden Wood; development of future novel vaccines Dr Philip Heraud; Professor Donald

Page 18 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 NETWORK Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017

McNaughton; Professor Anton Peleg; Infection involves a complex interaction Paul McMillan; Dr Alexander Combes; Professor Christian Doerig; Professor between the host and the parasite, which Professor Trevor Lithgow; Dr Thomas Royston Goodacre; Dr Darren Creek is very dynamic and therefore difficult to Naderer; Professor Michael Ryan; This project aims to investigate drug study by traditional sampling and analysis Associate Professor Helena Richardson; resistance in microbial agents. With the approaches. This project has combined Dr Peter Lock; Professor Antoine van emergence of "super bugs" there is a mathematical modelling with a novel Oijen; Professor Sarah Russell; Associate need to understand the biochemistry experimental protocol to allow the study Professor Marcus Heisler; Associate of antimicrobial resistance. Combining of kinetics of parasite replication in vivo. Professor Till Boecking; Dr Kirstin vibrational spectroscopic approaches and Expected outcomes will provide significant Elgass; This project aims to establish metabolomic techniques, the project benefits, such as new avenues for an adaptive optics, super-resolution will investigate cell populations, single vaccination and immune intervention The optical microscopy facility to image cells and subcellular structures in search University of New South Wales. cellular events with the highest possible of biomarkers for drug resistance. The spatial resolution, in a whole cell or discovery of such biomarkers could tissue context. Sophisticated computer- lead to improved disease management ARC Linkage Infrastructure controlled deformable mirrors will be and eradication programs through and Equipment Grant used to correct the way light is distorted identification and treatment of drug as it passes through specimens, thereby resistant pathogens in individuals that Associate Professor Rebecca Traub; overcoming aberrations found in thick have the potential to re-infect the Dr Anson Koehler; Professor Mark and complex samples. This adaptive community. Monash University Stevenson; Dr Bettina Schunack; optics system will enable researchers to Dr Roland Schaper; Dr Rachel study complex behaviour of biological Associate Professor Alexander Maier; Lyons Chemo-prevention of tropical specimens, at the optical resolution limit Professor Christian Doerig; Associate canine parasitoses and vector-borne in plant and animal tissues, leading to Professor Andrew Tobin; This project diseases. This project will determine the basic biology and biotechnology outcomes aims to study the sexual development prevalence and diversity of established, in biofuels, biomaterials and biomedicines. of apicomplexan parasites, which cause emerging and novel canine vector-borne The University of Melbourne. major diseases in humans, livestock agents and endoparasites in a tropical and wildlife, including malaria. Only setting by using conventional and next * sexually differentiated cells can survive generation molecular diagnostic tools. in the mosquito vector and hence this It will fill an important gap by providing Dr Teresa Carvalho and coleagues have development is essential for the parasite's independently-verified evidence on bebeen awarded a $1M grant from the life-cycle. This project will employ a new how well canine anti-parasitic products Centre for Invasive Species Solutions approach that separates female from male marketed in Australia and Asia by Bayer (CISS) to investigate the presence of virus parasites, thus enabling new information Animal Health, perform in high-infection and parasites in wild deer in Australia. to be gleaned about the development of pressure settings, as a chemo-preventative This 4 year project, entitled "The role of these parasites. The expected outcomes for these disease agents. Tropical regions wild deer in the transmission of diseases are an understanding of the mechanisms spanning northern Australia and Southern of livestock" is a collaboration between of sexual differentiation and a functional Asia are highly conducive to a plethora La Trobe University and the Arthur Rylah characterisation of novel sex-specific of canine vector-borne and parasitic Institute, during which Teresa, Dr Karla molecules. This will provide significant pathogens that cause significant morbidity Helbig (La Trobe) and Dr Carlo Pacioni benefits, such as pivotal prerequisites for and mortality in dogs. Many of these (ARI) will co-supervise a PhD student new approaches to parasite intervention. agents also pose a risk to public health. The Australian National University; The outcomes will be directly translated Congratulations to all grant winners. to best-practice guidelines for the Professor Miles Davenport; Dr Deborah advancement of companion animal (and Cromer; Dr Ashraful Haque; Dr David indirectly human) health and welfare.The With best wishes for Christmas and Khoury; Dr Oliver Billker; This project University of Melbourne, in partnership the New Year aims to understand the molecular with Bayer Animal Health GMBH; Bayer and cellular interactions between host Australia Ltd. Nick and Lisa and parasite, as well as providing a quantitative framework for analysing Professor Leann Tilley; Professor Staffan infection dynamics in other systems. Persson; Professor Melissa Little; Dr

www.parasite.org.au Page 19 NETWORK

ASP Network Researcher Exchange, Training and Travel Award Report

PhD Student Michael able to learn new techniques in staining the public take such an interest in the Hammond visited the and mounting trematodes for use in world of parasites and there was plenty laboratory of Associate morphological analyses. I learnt how to of discussion as I was walking through. Professor Thomas Cribb at undertake scientific drawings for the the University of Queensland purposes of publication. I also received Overall, this trip was very positive for feedback on the use of molecular data me. Spending time in a lab surrounded My research into the bucephalid in trematode systematics from Dr Scott by other researchers working in a trematodes of fish from the Great Barrier Cutmore. Overall this trip has helped me similar field has helped me to learn and Reef has introduced me to many new to focus the direction of my PhD. hopefully become a better researcher. techniques. Thanks to the Australian I enjoyed my time in Tom’s lab and Society for Parasitology (ASP), I was While in Brisbane, I also visited the Brisbane was very accommodating. I able to visit the laboratory of Associate Parasites: Life Undercover exhibit at the thank the ASP for providing me the Professor Thomas Cribb at the University Queensland Museum, and enjoyed looking opportunity to partake in this exchange. of Queensland. Over the course of the at the samples on display and learning two weeks I spent in Tom’s lab, I was about other parasites. I was glad to see Images by Michael Hammond

Page 20 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 RESEARCHER NEWS Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 A CRE for Malaria Elimination in Asia Pacific ASP Network Researcher Exchange, Australia will take a Training and Travel Award Report leadership role in the Asia Pacific region in a new initiative to help our nearest neighbours get rid of the scourge of malaria, in a new NHMRC $2.5 million Centre for Research Excellence in Malaria Elimination based at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.

The Centre will accelerate new drugs to treat malaria and train the next generation consequences for local people, especially (University of Melbourne | Bio21), Leanne of experts in Australia and overseas. children under five, travellers, and armed Robinson (WEHI | Burnet | Papua New forces personnel.” Guinea Institute of Medical Research), The centre will bring together existing Moses Laman (PNG Institute of Medical research groups across Australia and in “This centre will bring together many of Research), Dr Sarah Auburn (Menzies Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Australia’s leading malaria researchers, as School of Health Research), Dr Timothy Indonesia and elsewhere, which are already well as industry partners such as CSIRO, William (Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota providing high-level advice to the Bill and and train up a new generation of experts Kinabalu, Malaysia), Dr Zaw Lin (Myanmar Melinda Gates Foundation, World Health here and overseas in disease elimination, Department of Public Health, Myanmar) Organisation, NIH and the Wellcome Trust. whose skills will be transferable to other challenges, like HIV, TB, Zika virus and Story source: https://www.doherty.edu. The focus of the CRE is to develop new influenza.” au/news-events/news/new-australian- tools for surveillance, diagnosis and led-malaria-research-powerhouse- treatment of malaria and to apply advanced Chief Investigators gears-up-to-hunt-down-malari mathematical modelling and geospatial mapping approaches to development of Professor Stephen Rogerson (University tools to help Malaria Control Programs in of Melbourne | Doherty Institute & the Asia Pacific in the battle to eliminate Department of Medicine), Professor Ric malaria. Price (Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin), Professor Julie Simpson University of Melbourne Professor Stephen (University of Melbourne School of Rogerson at the Doherty Institute – who Population and Global Health), Professor will lead the centre and is one of 10 chief Nick Anstey (Menzies School of Health investigators – said priorities would include Research), Dr James Beeson (Burnet developing better tests and drugs, and Institute | University of Melbourne), understanding more about drug resistant Professor Archie Clements (ANU), parasites. Associate Professor Freya Fowkes (Burnet Institute), Professor James McCarthy “A major challenge in malaria is that (QIMR Berghofer), Associate Professor we don’t have good information about James McCaw (University of Melbourne), who has it, because the existing tests are Professor Ivo Mueller (WEHI) cumbersome and expensive, so one priority is to develop simple, accurate tests that can Associate Investigators be used in villages.” Associate Professor Alyssa Barry (WEHI), “In South East Asia, our frontline Jeanne Poespoprodjo (Timika Research antimalarial drugs are losing their Facility, Indonesia), Jonathan (Jack) effectiveness, with devastating Richards (Burnet Institute), Leann Tilley

www.parasite.org.au Page 21 RESEARCHER NEWS Protective proteins for malaria vaccines

Camila T. França from timeframe in countries situated in its was higher for any protein combination Ivo Mueller's lab at WEHI tropical heartland and those with a high than to any of the individual components and collaborators have a burden of P. vivax. alone, and optimal combinations of five- antigens associated with >90% protection new publication in eLife, The need for a highly efficacious malaria were identified. “Identification of highly- vaccine has, therefore, become paramount protective combinations - particularly in the era of emerging drug With this ambitious study, França and of Plasmodium vivax and insecticide resistance. For a non- collaborators identified several new targets recombinant proteins for cultural pathogen like P. vivax, a better that should now be prioritized for further vaccine development.” understanding of the acquisition of functional testing, and demonstrated immunity in naturally-exposed populations that synergistic or additive effect of Camilla has supplied the is essential for the identification and combinations of antibody response to following reader's digest of prioritization of targets for further P. vivax antigens should be the next the paper. functional characterization as potential approach towards development of a vaccine candidates. highly efficacious multicomponent P. vivax Malaria, an infectious disease caused by vaccine. Plasmodium spp. parasites, remains a To address this gap, França and leading cause of morbidity and mortality collaborators investigated naturally-acquired worldwide. An increase in political humoral immune responses to several commitment and funding over the last known and novel P. vivax proteins in “Identification of highly-protective 2 decades has given populations at-risk samples from a well-designed longitudinal combinations of Plasmodium vivax unprecedented access to prevention, cohort study conducted with 1-3 years old recombinant proteins for vaccine diagnostics and treatment, leading to a Papua New Guinean children. development”, Camila Tenorio França, dramatic decrease in malaria incidence and Michael T White, Wen-Qiang He, Jessica B mortality rates across the world. The association between the presence and Hostetler, Jessica Brewster, Gabriel Frato, levels of antibodies to individual, as well Indu Malhotra, Jakub Gruszczyk, Christele For several countries, these reductions as combinations of proteins and the risk Huon Enmoore Lin, Benson Kiniboro, Anjali in the malaria burden have raised the of having clinical malaria episodes was Yadava, Peter Siba, Mary R Galinski, Julie prospect of elimination, and 35 countries investigated using mathematical modelling. Healer, Chetan Chitnis, Alan F Cowman, (incl the entire Asia-Pacific region) have Eizo Takashima, Takafumi Tsuboi, Wai-Hong now committed to eliminate this disease The authors found that antibodies to Tham, Rick M Fairhurst, Julian C Rayner, by the year of 2030. Although numerous several unknown or poorly studied proteins Christopher L King, Ivo Mueller, eLife countries have managed to eliminate were associated with a strong reduction 2017;6:e28673 https://elifesciences.org/ malaria throughout history, it is increasingly on the children’s risk of having clinical articles/28673 DOI: 10.7554/eLife.28673 recognized that the currently existing episodes. Several of these antigens showed malaria control tools will not be sufficient strong protective associations at very low Image credits: to achieve elimination within the proposed levels of antibodies. The protective effect Left: WEHI, Right: Ivo Mueller

Page 22 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 RESEARCHER NEWS Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 Why do Parasites go bananas before sex?

The sexual stages of the some of the proteins that help drive the human malaria parasite shape change and employed inducible gene Plasmodium falciparum form knockdown strategies to show that these proteins play essential roles in remodelling a unique banana shape which membranes that are essential for is essential for parasites gametocyte elongation. This work points transmission from human to potential targets for the development of host to human host. transmission-blocking therapies.

In a recent work led by Dr Matthew Dixon Disrupting assembly of the inner membrane and colleagues from the Department of complex blocks Plasmodium falciparum Biochemistry and Molecular biology and sexual stage development. Molly Parkyn published in PLoS Pathogens, his team Schneider, Boyin Liu, et al. PLOS Pathogens: has discovered how this banana shaped published October 6, 2017, https://doi. cell is formed. In this work, they use a 3D org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1006659. Electron Microscopy technique called Serial This dramatic metamorphosis is highlighted Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy, in these 3D rendered images from Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy in a combination with super-resolution (SBF-SEM). The formation of a membrane structure called the inner membrane optical microscopy, to elucidate the genesis complex (magenta) which drives the gametocyte elongation process. The nucleus and expansion of the molecular structures (yellow), mitochondria (red) and red blood cell (dark red) are also rendered. Image that drive gametocyte elongation. They Credit: Boyin Liu and Matthew Dixon, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular used protein interaction profiling to identify Biology, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne. Awards

Abdul Jabbar was recently Kiaran Kirk has been elected awarded the Peter Nansen Fellow of the Australian Young Scientist Award at Academy of Health and the WAAVP conference in Medical Sciences Malaysia.

This award has been set up to honour Professor Kiaran Kirk of The Australian and perpetuate the memory of Professor National University (ANU) has been elected Peter Nansen for his outstanding as Fellow to the Australian Academy contributions to veterinary parasitology of Health and Medical Sciences for his and, in particular, his great concern for and outstanding leadership and contributions the encouragement of young, promising to the field in Australia. He was officially scientists in this field. inducted to the Academy on Thursday 19 October 2017 during the Academy's third More information about the award can be Annual Scientific Meeting in Adelaide. found at: http://www.waavp.org/page/Pet er+Nansen+Young+Scientist+Award/24/#. Kiaran Kirk is Dean of the ANU College of Professor Ian Frazer, President of the WcIfZ8ig-Uk Science and his primary research interest is Academy, congratulated the new Fellows. in the biology of the malaria parasite, with a particular focus on antimalarial drugs. "Health and medical research undertaken by the new Fellows of the Academy, and His work has had significant impact in enabled by government and philanthropic relation to the assessment of new potential funding, will help to ensure quality and antimalarial drugs, to ensure that that equitable health care as we enter the age there is not overinvestment in compounds of precision medicine," he said. sharing the same molecular target.

www.parasite.org.au Page 23 CONFERENCE REPORTS Malaria in Melbourne 2017

On October 27th and 28th featured an invited keynote speaker from more than 170 scientists overseas. With the support of a Georgina attended the 2017 Malaria in Sweet Award for Women, Professor Jean Langhorne from the Francis Crick Institute, Melbourne (MiM) conference London attended the conference and gave at the Peter Doherty Institute a very well received plenary lecture on in Parkville, Victoria. the latest work on parasite gene families involved in the establishment of chronic Malaria in Melbourne is now a well- Plasmodium infection. Prof. Langhorne established, continuously growing, biennial additionally provided valuable insights meeting that brings together the malaria into what key elements influenced her research community in Melbourne and success, during an early morning Career Australia, providing excellent networking Development Workshop, which was well opportunities and exciting updates on attended and featured a lively discussion recent developments in the field. with the attendees.

MiM 2017 included a diverse range One of the key strategies of MiM is the of participants from 48 different labs, focus on postgraduates and early career representing 26 different institutions. The researchers. The conference aims to conference saw a broad representation of foster their integration into the malaria the Australian malaria research community, research community, thus strengthening with 28 attendees travelling from interstate Melbourne’s position as the largest and The next Malaria in Melbourne conference and 2 coming from overseas. most vibrant malaria research hub in the will take place in late 2019. Come join us world. in Melbourne for an exiting and vibrant The program featured 35 talks and more malaria conference. than 50 posters presented by post graduate The ASP sponsored the session on host- students and early career researchers. The parasite interactions and transmission. This Organizing committee seven oral presentation sessions covered session included speakers from Queensland, topics including basic parasite biology, NSW and Victorian labs and featured the Chairs: Daniel Fernández-Ruiz, Dean immunology, epidemiology, metabolomics, best student talk prize winner, Hayley Goodman drug development and mathematical Buchanan. modelling. Fourteen poster presenters Committee: Elizabeth Aitken, Simon were also chosen to give short, 3-minute All prize winners were: Cobbold, Jakub Gruszczyk, Herbert Opi, talks. Overall, the speakers represented 29 Ghizal Siddiqui, Simona John von Freyend of the labs in attendance at the meeting Kit Kennedy (Ralph laboratory): best oral and covered almost every aspect of malaria presentation, overall research. Vashti Irani (Richards laboratory): best oral For the first time in its history MiM also presentation, postdoc

Natalie Spillman (Tilley laboratory) and Louise Randall Left: Young investigators discussing (Rogerson laboratory): best career development questions with poster presentation, postdoc Prof. Jean Langhorne (Francis-Crick (co-winners) Institute, London) and chair Dr. Ghizal Siddiqui (MIPS). Photo credit Prof. Brian Hayley Buchanan (McFadden Cooke. laboratory): best oral presentation, student Above: PhD student Kit Kennedy (Ralph lab) won best overall talk and received Thorey Jonsdottir (Gilson a guaranteed oral presentation at the laboratory): best poster upcoming World Malaria Congress in presentation, student Melbourne

Page 24 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 CONFERENCE REPORTS Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 TTP9: Tick and Tick-borne Pathogens

Ala Tabor of UQ describes the 9th Tick and Tick-borne Pathogen Conference, of which she was Chair.

The 9th Tick & Tick-borne Pathogen Conference was held in conjunction with the 1st Asia Pacific Rickettsia Conference in Cairns last August Chaired by Prof Tabor and convened by A/Prof Manuel Rodriguez Valle (now University of Melbourne) of the University of Queensland. Castilla-La Mancha, Spain). The conference included a charter boat to the reef where We had approximately 240 delegates theme was ‘One Health’ with a mix of several delegates took the opportunity to representing ~30 countries. The conference medical, veterinary, and wildlife researchers snorkel and some to scuba dive for the first hosted 9 plenaries including notable ranging across epidemiology, genomics, time! parasitologists in the field of ticks and tick diagnostics, immunology, taxonomy, borne diseases: Prof Peter Irwin (Murdoch evolution, and vaccinology with a further Four countries bid for TTP10 in 2020 which Uni), Prof Stephen Barker (UQ), Prof Cate 130 oral presentations and 130 posters. was won by Romania! The conference Hill (Purdue Unviersity), Prof Pat Nuttall was a great success and we thank the (Oxford University), Dr Carlos Suarez The Welcome reception had some surprises Australian Society for Parasitology for their (USDA), Prof Ulrike Munderloh (University with animal carers bringing a snake, a baby support of this event. of Minnesota) and a TTP Career award crocodile and a koala around for selfies for Prof Jose de la Fuente (University of with delegates. The conference field trip Below: a TTP9 collage

www.parasite.org.au Page 25 PROFILE David Piedrafita and the WFP

David Piedrafita is Associate conservation researcher Associate Professor such terrible outcomes for the animals. Dean for Research at Wendy Wright, also based at Federation Now the students educate the farmers; Federation University in University, and Nepal’s National Trust for these new graduates make an impact Nature Conservation (NTNC) to keep wild on the research by implementing and Victoria and Secretary of animal populations including elephants, providing the solution. the World Federation of tigers and rhinoceros, free of parasite Parasitologists. disease. Wildlife tourism is essential to In these projects, David and his team Nepal and many farming communities prioritise research training for local people. David Piedrafita is Associate Dean for located adjacent to Nepal’s key national The aim is to provide opportunities for Research at Federation University in parks supplement their livelihoods by local people from resource-poor countries Victoria. David’s research interests span hosting and guiding international visitors. to explore, apply and contribute to immunology and infection; vaccine Healthy wildlife populations are also the development of the latest science development and performance; in parasitology. David says, diagnostic development and “Because a lot of opportunities genetic control of disease bypass those countries that don’t resistance. At Federation have the resources that we are University, David works on lucky to have; the infrastructure national and international and opportunities are limited. research programs (including By training scientists who have Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia, Africa all of the potential and little and Spain) and is head of the opportunity in these resource- Parasitology unit. poor countries, we are building local capacity. The scientists Self-described as “a scientist themselves can then identify working on worm parasites problems and work out the best which infect both humans and way to approach and ultimately grazing ruminants, particularly solve them. These programs in Asia and Africa” David said, build confidence in researchers “these parasites result in human and they become part of an death and, enormous economic international network”. loss to the agricultural sector including subsistence farmers; The programs are true and negatively impacts efficient partnerships with funding from food production in developing overseas government and non- countries. My research is government agencies, and from centred on understanding Australian sources. Much of disease susceptibility to enable the wildlife work is funded by the design of better vaccines philanthropic organizations and or drugs to prevent and treat from crowdfunding. disease.” David describes the approach to Current projects include the programs, “It works because collaboration with Universities of the strong links between in China to understand water Universities, Government and buffalo health problems. Buffalo non-government agencies health is paramount since and charities in both countries these important animals are and because of an investment highly valued and used in many ways; to essential to reduce the risk of disease in trust-building with our partners. For transport loads, to draw ploughs and other transfer to domestic stock. In Sudan, David example, we run an exchange program machinery as well as providing meat and delivered an education program about where some students and visiting Fellows milk. liver fluke, providing students with the come to Australia for training and knowledge necessary to change habits and students from Australia travel overseas to David is also collaborating with wildlife to stop this debilitating disease, which has work. Australian students are ecologists,

Page 26 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 PROFILE Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017

David Piedrafita and the WFP continued

veterinarians and biologists; they all have which attracted 1,700 delegates from representing all major countries and ICOPA an appreciation for the research and for the around the world. David has been the represents parasitology in the global ethos of the project. The student exchanges Executive Secretary of the World Federation economy and in the world’s health. are essential to build trust between of Parasitologists since 2014. collaborators, helping them to identify The International Congress of Parasitology problems and possible solutions. Working David says he views the World Federation (ICOPA) takes place every 4 years. The next in the field with communities, students of Parasitologists (WFP) as the central pillar, ICOPA, number XIV, will be held in Daegu, try to solve problems using ideas for “The WFP is a global representation of all South Korea, August 19-23, 2018. Visit the basic parasitology health that are easy to societies, so that societies that can share ICOPA XIV website http://icopa2018.org/ implement. These include low-cost vaccines knowledge. For example, when laboratory and simple diagnostics. The students are groups from different Asian countries ASP is the host of the newly designed WFP so keen to learn, as well as the skills and site knowledge they get a different way of thinking - they become global citizens”. http://www.wfpnet.org

David believes that we need to WFP wants to ensure its website is have mutual respect working relevant and engaging for its global with resource-poor countries; community and they are looking he says, “The only way to for input from members on make an impact is through how best to highlight the learning and getting parasitology research across benefit both ways”. the globe. Please give your feedback to the president of Early in his career David your parasitology society. started working with collaborators in Asia, WFP launched a new journal studying resistance to with Elsevier to promote disease in indigenous parasitology research. The breeds from resource- journal should also generate poor countries where income to run initiatives. animals have adapted Parasitology is so important in to disease without drugs. health; having a world body like “Understanding the culture WFP representing so many different of the people who owned the diseases can make a difference and the animals that have adapted makes combined efforts of parasitology research quite a difference, not just for the science across the globe will lead to practical but also for the education,” says David. outcomes for countries, especially those Being passionate about education David affected economically by parasites. found that the scientists and students interact, then Asia pacific priorities take he worked with through these programs place and their own networks build up The International Journal “Parasite craved knowledge and this helped build and take off. Asia are really interested Epidemiology and Control” is published successful collaborations. and focused on science that makes a by Elsevier on behalf of the WFP. Professor difference”. Marcel Tanner is the editor in chief and David has a long history of giving service Dale Seaton is Elsevier’s representative. to the Australian Society for Parasitology; The World Federation of Parasitologists was Submissions have been strong and all as a student member David was an ASP founded in Warsaw, Poland in 1960. The information on the journal is available at: Council member in 1995; ASP President Federation promotes and co-ordinates the in 2006 and ASP Executive Secretary from exchange of knowledge, research and other http://www.journals.elsevier.com/parasite- 2014 – 2015. In 2006 David lead the team activities relating to parasitology. Members epidemiology-and-control successful for securing a bid for the ASP of WFP consist of scientific organizations to host the International Congress for concerned with parasitism, mainly national Image of David Piedrafita courtesy of Parasitology (ICOPA) held in Melbourne in societies related to parasitology or Monash University. ttps://www.flickr. 2010 and he was Co-chair of the congress, tropical medicine. WFP has an Executive com/photos/50357943@N08/8227960487

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is selected for the journal cover it, and • Dafni Bechtsi and Andy Waters follow www.journals.elsevier.com/ your article, will be promoted on closely with their SingMalNet Special international-journal-for- Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Issue review paper on genomics and parasitology epigenetics of sexual commitment in • Together with Dale Seaton of Elsevier, Plasmodium (47:7, 425-434), with 221 Editor In Chief: Brian Cooke Brian developed a talk, tailored to shares, likes, comments and tweets to early-career researchers, based around date. Facebook: www.facebook.com/ the Elsevier Publishing Campus on IJPara ‘how to publish your papers’. Brian Twitter: @IJPara and Dale first presented the talk at Instagram: ijpara a very successful ECR breakfast at the joint NZSP+ASP conference in Auckland, then again at MAM2016 in Lorne,, at the ASP parasitology course 2017 highlights in Kiola, and at many other meetings. Please let Brian know if you would like The IJP 2016 impact factor continues him to give this presentation to your to hold us in good stead as one of the institution! top-ranked discipline-specific non-review only journals in Parasitology (IJP: 3.73 (© Elsevier now show PlumX Metrics data Clarivite Analytics Journal Citation Reports (captures, mentions, social media, citations) 2017) and 4.17 CiteScore (© Scopus 2017). for IJP papers on the journal homepage. We published three significant Special The IJP has continued to prosper under • Dorothy Loy and colleagues have Issues in 2017; Molecular Approaches Brian’s leadership and the IJP team is generated the highest level of social to Malaria, featuring highlights from the looking forward to what lies ahead over media activity with their MAM Special latest, and increasingly successful MAM the next few years . Issue review paper on the origins Conferences (Lorne, Australia) ; and evolution of the human malaria Some other highlights from 2017 include: parasites Plasmodium falciparum and ApiCOWplexa 2017, featuring highlights Plasmodium vixax (47:2/3, 87-97), from the 4th International Meeting on • IJP continued post to social media with 224 shares, likes, comments and Apicomplexan Parasites in Farm Animals accounts, featuring issue contents and tweets to date. (Madrid, Spain); and SingMalNet 2016, ‘stories behind the cover’ as well as featuring highlights from the Singapore photos from meetings and events Malaria Network Meeting (Singapore). supported by IJP and Elsevier. The IJP The SingMalNet issue was appropriately Facebook page has 2008 followers bound in hard-copy with a portrait of a (www.facebook/IJPara), the IJP Twitter young woman and her baby in Mae Sot, account has 155 followers (@IJPara) Thailand taken by the Singaporean-based and IJP has 57 followers to date on photographer, Ms. Pearl Gan, as part of a Instagram (ijpara). Look for the green highly innovative, internationally-supported on black IJP logo (the ‘real’ IJP page). ‘Asia Malaria Images’ project that aims to We feature a ‘story capture and highlight the immense, but behind the cover’ for relatively invisible burden of malaria in the each IJP issue, so if you Asia-Pacific Region. have a paper accepted for publication, see what The Editors are working hard on more you can do to create an amazing cover Special Issues to look forward to in 2018. image and submit it to us for Keep your eyes peeled for what is to come! consideration. If your submitted image

Page 28 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 JOURNALS Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017

As usual, 2017 has been a busy year for the IJP. We are grateful to our valued Editorial Board members, reviewers and authors who continue to maintain the high quality and reputation of the IJP.

We hope that you all enjoy a well-earned rest over the holiday season and look forward to working with you again in 2018 and beyond.

Season’s Greetings from IJP. Wishing you a happy and successful 2018. Brian, Alex, Jan and Maria

www.parasite.org.au Page 29 JOURNALS

Peter O'Donoghue, Haemoprotozoa: Making biological sense of molecular phylogenies, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR In International Journal for Parasitology: PARASITOLOGY Parasites and Wildlife, Volume 6, Issue 3, 2017, Pages 241-256, ISSN 2213-2244, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2017.08.007. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ article/pii/S221322441730069X)

Abstract: A range of protistan parasites occur in the blood of vertebrates and this series of meetings, all hosted by the are transmitted by haematophagous www.journals.elsevier.com/ Parasitological Society of Southern Africa invertebrate vectors. Some 48 genera international-journal-for- (PARSA). The first was held in 1991, and are recognized in bood primarily on parasitology-parasites-and- the second in 2014 at which it was decided the basis of parasite morphology and wildlife/ that it would be a triannual event. host specificity; including extracellular kinetoplastids (trypanosomatids) and Editors: R.C. Andrew Around 180 delegates attended from intracellular apicomplexa (haemogregarines, Thompson, Susan Kutz 23 countries (which included a sizeable haemococcidia, haemosporidia and contingent from Australia) with the majority piroplasms). Gene sequences are available Facebook: www.facebook.com/ of presentations oral contributions. An for a growing number of species and IJPPAW/ excellent, diverse scientific programme was molecular phylogenies often link parasite offered covering all aspects of parasites and host or vector evolution. This review IJP-PAW has a Facebook page, in aquatic systems, ecology of terrestrial endeavours to reconcile molecular please check it out and like us parasites, evolutionary biology, parasite- clades with biological characters. Four and some of our articles so we host relationships, zoonoses and one major trypanosomatid clades have been can promote the journal and all of health. Given the number of delegates, associated with site of development in the wonderful research published venue and social programme, there were the vector: salivarian or stercorarian for through IJP-PAW excellent opportunities for getting together Trypanosoma, and supra- or peri-pylorian with friends and colleagues. for Leishmania. Four haemogregarine clades have been associated with acarine Of course, a major attraction of having the vectors (Hepatozoon A and B, Karyolysus, IJP: PAW Editors In Chief Andrew meeting in Kruger is the opportunity to Hemolivia) and another two with leeches Thompson & Susan Kutz (Editor from April see a fantastic diversity of wildlife – either (Dactylosoma, Haemogregarina sensu 2018) would like to wish everyone a very early morning before conference sessions stricto). Two haemococcidian clades Happy Christmas and very best wishes for or in the late afternoon and evening. Just (Lankesterella, Schellackia) using leeches the New Year. We hope that 2018 brings brilliant! A selection of images of the and mosquitoes (as paratenic hosts!) were happiness and success in your research. amazing wildlife, taken by Andrew and paraphyletic with monoxenous enteric Holly Thompson, are shown on a following coccidia. Two major haemosporidian 3rd International Congress on Parasites page. clades have been associated with of wildlife mosquito vectors (Plasmodium from Recent papers mammals, Plasmodium from birds and The Congress was held in a superb lizards), two with midges (Hepatocystis location, Skukuza, one of the oldest camps The following articles were recently from bats, Parahaemoproteus from birds) in the Kruger National Park, from 24-27th published by ASP members in IJP:DDR and two with louse-flies and black-flies September, 2017. It was the third in (Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon from

Page 30 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 JOURNALS Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 birds). Three major piroplasm clades Abstract: Pentastomids are obligate were recognized: one associated with zoonotic arthropod parasites utilising transovarian transmission in ticks (Babesia canids and vulpids as their definitive hosts sensu stricto); one with pre-erythrocytic and several herbivorous species as their schizogony in vertebrates (Theileria/ intermediate hosts. Reported only 10 Cytauxzoon); and one with neither (Babesia times in Australia over the last 150 years sensu lato). Broad comparative studies with as incidental findings, adult Pentastomids allied groups suggest that trypanosomatids referred to as Linguatula serrata have been and haemogregarines evolved first in encountered in nasal cavities of domestic aquatic and then terrestrial environments, and wild dogs, and foxes. Nymphs have as evidenced by extant lineages in been reported in cattle and rabbits. In invertebrates and their radiation in the present study, a number of potential vertebrates. In contrast, haemosporidia and definitive hosts, including red foxes (Vulpes haemococcidia are thought to have evolved vulpes), wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo and Stephanie S. Godfrey, Michael G. Gardner, first in vertebrates from proto-coccidia and C.l. dingo x C. familiaris) and feral cats Lizards, ticks and contributions to Australian then incorporated invertebrate vectors. (Felis catus), and intermediate hosts cattle parasitology: C. Michael Bull (1947–2016), In Piroplasms are thought to have evolved in (Bos taurus), sheep (Ovis aries), feral pigs International Journal for Parasitology: ticks and diversified into mammals. More (Sus scrofa), rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Parasites and Wildlife, Volume 6, Issue 3, molecular studies are required on more goats (Capra hircus) and a European hare 2017, Pages 295-298, ISSN 2213-2244, https:// parasite taxa to refine current thought, (Lepus europaeus), from the highlands of doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2017.08.010. (http:// but ultimately transmission studies are south-eastern Australia were examined. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ mandated to determine the vectors for Of the animals examined 67.6% of wild S2213224417300998) many haemoprotozoa. dogs (n = 37), 14.5% of red foxes (n = 55) and 4.3% of cattle (n = 164) were found Abstract: Professor C. Michael Bull was to be infected with Pentastomids, herein a great scientist and mentor, and an identified as Linguatula cf. serrata. The Associate Editor of this journal. While common occurrence of the parasite in wild his research career spanned the fields dogs and less frequently in foxes suggests of behavioural ecology, conservation these wild canids have potential to act as a biology and herpetology, in this article, reservoir for infection of livestock, wildlife, we pay tribute to his major contribution domestic dogs and possibly humans. The to Australian parasitology. Mike authored unexpected high frequency of the parasite more than eighty articles on host-parasite in wild dogs and foxes in south-eastern ecology, and revealed major insights into Australia suggests the parasite is more the biology and ecology of ticks from his Shokoofeh Shamsi, Kate McSpadden, Sara common than previously realised. Of the long term study of the parapatric boundary Baker, David J. Jenkins, Occurrence of tongue potential intermediate hosts in the region, of two tick species (Amblyomma limbatum worm, Linguatula cf. serrata (Pentastomida: only 4.3% of cattle were found to be and Bothriocroton hydrosauri) on the sleepy Linguatulidae) in wild canids and livestock infected with pentastomid nymphs which lizard (Tiliqua rugosa). In this article, we in south-eastern Australia, In International suggest the search for the host(s) acting as provide an overview of how this research Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and the main intermediate host in the region journey developed to become one of the Wildlife, Volume 6, Issue 3, 2017, Pages should continue. Future studies should longest-running studies of lizards and 271-277, ISSN 2213-2244, https://doi. investigate transmission patterns, health their ticks, totalling 35 years of continuous org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2017.08.008. (http:// impacts on hosts and whether the parasite surveys of ticks on lizards, and the insights www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ has zoonotic significance in Australia. and knowledge that he generated along S2213224416300475) that journey.

Right: Professor C.Michael Bull

Left and previous page: images from the 3rd International Congress on Parasites of wildlife

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IJP:PAW continued

Photographs by Andrew and Holly Thompson. Kruger National Park, September, 2017

Page 32 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 JOURNALS Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY

www.journals.elsevier.com/ Abstract: The discovery and development activities and characterising their targets. international-journal-for- of novel anthelmintic classes is essential to parasitology-drugs-and-drug- sustain the control of socioeconomically resistance/ important parasitic worms of humans and animals. With the aim of offering novel, Editors In Chief: Andrew lead-like scaffolds for drug discovery, Kotze & Kevin Saliba Compounds Australia released the ‘Open Scaffolds’ collection containing 33,999 Facebook: www.facebook. compounds, with extensive information com/IJPDDR/ available on the physicochemical properties of these chemicals. In the present study, IJP-DDR has a Facebook page, we screened 14,464 prioritised compounds please check it out and like us from the ‘Open Scaffolds’ collection and some of our articles so we against the exsheathed third-stage larvae can promote the journal and (xL3s) of Haemonchus contortus using all of the wonderful research recently developed whole-organism Sandra Duffy, Vicky M. Avery, Plasmodium published through IJP-DDR screening assays. We identified a hit falciparum in vitro continuous culture compound, called SN00797439, which conditions: A comparison of parasite was shown to reproducibly reduce xL3 susceptibility and tolerance to anti-malarial motility by ≥ 70%; this compound induced drugs throughout the asexual intra- IJP: DDR Editors In Chief Andrew Kotze & a characteristic, “coiled” xL3 phenotype erythrocytic life cycle, In International Kevin Saliba would like to wish everyone (IC50 = 3.46–5.93 μM), inhibited motility Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug a very Happy Christmas and very best of fourth-stage larvae (L4s; IC50 = Resistance, Volume 7, Issue 3, 2017, Pages wishes for the New Year. We hope that 0.31–12.5 μM) and caused considerable 295-302, ISSN 2211-3207, https://doi. 2018 brings happiness and success in your cuticular damage to L4s in vitro. When org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2017.07.001. (http:// research. tested on other parasitic nematodes in www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ vitro, SN00797439 was shown to inhibit S2211320717300271) The following articles were recently (IC50 = 3–50 μM) adults of Ancylostoma published by ASP members in IJP:DDR ceylanicum (hookworm) and first-stage Abstract: The continuous culture of larvae of Trichuris muris (whipworm) Plasmodium falciparum is often seen as a Sarah Preston, Yaqing Jiao, Jonathan B. Baell, and eventually kill (>90%) these stages. means to an end, that end being to probe Jennifer Keiser, Simon Crawford, Anson V. Furthermore, this compound completely the biology of the parasite in question, Koehler, Tao Wang, Moana M. Simpson, inhibited the motility of female and male and ultimately for many in the malaria Ray M. Kaplan, Karla J. Cowley, Kaylene J. adults of Brugia malayi (50–100 μM) as drug discovery arena, to identify means Simpson, Andreas Hofmann, Abdul Jabbar, well as microfilariae of both B. malayi and of killing the parasite in order to treat Robin B. Gasser, Screening of the ‘Open Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm). Overall, malaria. In vitro continuous culture of Scaffolds’ collection from Compounds these results show that SN00797439 acts Plasmodium falciparum is a fundamental Australia identifies a new chemical entity against genetically (evolutionarily) distant requirement when undertaking malaria with anthelmintic activities against different parasitic nematodes i.e. H. contortus and A. research where the primary objectives developmental stages of the barber's pole ceylanicum [strongyloids] vs. B. malayi and utilise viable parasites of a desired lifecycle worm and other parasitic nematodes, In D. immitis [filarioids] vs. T. muris [enoplid], stage. This investigation, and resulting International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and, thus, might offer a novel, lead-like data, compared the impact culturing and Drug Resistance, Volume 7, Issue 3, 2017, scaffold for the development of a relatively Plasmodium falciparum long term (4 Pages 286-294, ISSN 2211-3207, https://doi. broad-spectrum anthelmintic. Our future months) in different environmental org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2017.05.004. (http:// work will focus on assessing the activity conditions had on experimental outcomes www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ of SN00797439 against other pathogens and thus conclusions. The example S2211320717300398) that cause neglected tropical diseases, presented here focused specifically on the optimising analogs with improved biological effect culture conditions had on the in

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IJP:DDR continued

vitro tolerance of Plasmodium falciparum all anti-malarial drugs, when compared to standard anti-malarial drugs, including to those cultured in human serum in artemisinin and lumefantrine. Historical combination with Albumax II® under data from an independent experiment normoxic conditions (5% O2) for the for 3D7-ALB (5% O2) was also compared parasite. with that obtained from this study. We concluded that parasites cultured for several months in media supplemented with a serum substitute such as Albumax II® or within hyperoxic conditions (21% O2), demonstrate highly variable responses to artemisinin and lumefantrine but not

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Page 34 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 FEATURE Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 Parasites: Friends Without Benefits (Part 5)

We conclude he transcript presentation. Are parasites useful for factorial highly integrated field. It of Peter O'Donoghue 2013 anything? seems that parasites are good at parasitology outreach event, keeping the host immune system busy! • Weight loss: Some 60-70 years ago, Science in the Pub, a social there were advertisements announcing • Hygiene hypothesis: Recently, a interactive occasion where the beneficial weight loss qualities link was made between the lower (POD points out) many of having your own parasites, under incidence of certain diseases in people liberties were taken with the endearing names of Lard-B-Gone, with mild helminth infections. It was content and language in the Taeniadex, etc. You could send away reasoned that worms kept the immune pursuit of entertainment, for a measured dose of parasites to system busy, and when people became consume to become infected. The more hygienic and eliminated their adult tapeworms in your gut would worms, the immune system turned In part 1 to 3, we described eight core compete for your nutrients and thus on itself and led to a whole series of concepts of parasitology: you would not become fat, and may allergic and auto-immune diseases even lose weight. There is so much (such as irritable bowel syndrome, 1. Parasites are friends without wrong with this, I shudder. Some Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, benefits! found that food consumption actually ulcerative colitis, asthma, and even 2. The pathology of parasitism is increased, presumably because you multiple sclerosis and diabetes). A cumulative. were now eating for two, and the backyard industry sprang up, where by 3. Parasites exhibit tissue tropism. worm may have stimulated your “helminthic therapy” was offered. You 4. Parasites undergo cyclic transmission appetite. could order Necator hookworm larvae between hosts! to place on your skin, or Trichuris 5. Parasites discriminate! • Evolutionary pressure: It is well suis whipworm eggs to ingest, thus 6. Differential diagnosis is difficult! documented in text books that there giving your immune system something 7. Parasites are hard to control is an evolutionary arms race between to do instead of causing problems. 8. Parasite biodiversity is vast the invasive capabilities of microbes Many people swear by it, but extreme and the defence capabilities of their caution is advised. The parasites In Part 4, POD then looked at the hosts; that is, a war between parasite used are not from clean cultures rogue's gallery of protozoa, helminths virulence and host immunity. We are but originate from all sorts of hosts and arthropods. slowly characterizing these interactions under all sorts of conditions. I would so that we can manipulate them to be worried about other unintended In this last episode, POD looks for achieve some control by virulence hitchhikers in the inocula (including redeeming features and asks if we mitigation, immuno-therapy, and viral and bacterial pathogens – as should actually be trying to conserve vaccination. It is a complex multi- these worms can host microbes). parasites. 10 Redeeming features?

Well, the foregoing has all been doom and gloom, with gruesome but spectacular parasites causing infections ranging from asymptomatic to mild to severe in disease

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Parasites: Friends Without Benefits continued

• Food sources: Can you eat parasites • receding hairline to resist head lice; commensals. They are worried about as food items without getting reduced muscle mass to resist muscle ‘co-extinction’ events, where the infected? This begs the question, worms; gnarly skin to resist mites; foot symbiotes become extinct with their do you trust in the concept of host odour to resist Tunga fleas, and dangly hosts. Various species of bird lice are specificity? Humans have human scrotum to resist parasitic castration. considered to be extinct, along with parasites, cows have cow parasites, their bird hosts. The guinea worm although a very small number may Dracunculus is considered rare and occur in both. Can you catch a cow may be the next to become extinct, parasite if you eat it? Some tribesmen due principally to the efforts of harvest Monezia tapeworm segments humans to eradicate the worm. Only passed in cow faeces by twirling one parasite is listed on the Red List of them on a stick, washing them in 11 Endangered Species: the sucking louse low streams and roasting them over Haematopinus found on pygmy hogs. an open fire - claiming they taste like Conservation Various countries recognize other chicken! parasites as rare and/or threatened, Biology including the tapeworm Dasyurotaenia • Sexual selection: Field studies have from the Tasmanian devil. shown that many females select certain mates based on their apparent • It is difficult to mount a case for the health and vigour in resisting parasitic If parasites have some uses, or until conservation of parasite species, infections, some males even have we better understand their complex other than the loss of biodiversity, secondary characters to display interactions with their hosts, maybe we especially since parasites are blamed their anti-parasite prowess, such as should take steps to protect parasites and for contributing to host extinctions elegant plumage, body size, coat stop them from becoming extinct through disease and death. We know condition. This must include me, as I relatively little about the significance am very adept at resisting parasites, as • People have become concerned of other symbiotes, other than by evidenced by my: about the conservation biology of definition that mutualists benefit hosts, parasites, along with mutualists and while commensals are neutral. Most efforts in conservation biology target host species, and by rescuing them from extinction, we will also conserve their parasites. So, should we cuddle or kill our wildlife? Let’s save both hosts and parasites.

• While most scientists have no philosophical or ethical dilemmas with conservation biology, parasitologists may be a breed apart. We often joke that should a live Tasmanian tiger (thylacine) ever be discovered, a parasitologist would shoot it to harvest its parasites. Parasite preservation (in alcohol) would trump wildlife conservation. So, ladies and gentlemen, I propose a final toast:

“To parasites and their hosts – friends without benefits!”

Page 36 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 STATE NEWS Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 State News

New South Wales two Australian Fasciola hepatica isolates in NSW and Victoria. sheep. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY,248: 4-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. Sloan S, Šlapeta J, Jabbar A, Hunnam J, vetpar.2017.10.012 De Groef B, Rawlin G, McCowan C (2017). University of Sydney High seroprevalance of Neospora caninum Jan Šlapeta has visited Indonesia as part in dogs in Victoria, Australia, compared of IndoBeef preparatory program activities. to 20 years ago. PARASITES & VECTORS Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology @ It was quick but a very busy trip with some 10(1):503. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071- McMaster Building valuable insight into parasitological and 017-2464-2 other infectious diseases affecting cattle First DVM Year 3 students (Sydney School of (pictured below). In July, Jan has participated Another piece by Jan Šlapeta is Veterinary Science) have been working on at The Culturally Competent Leadership demonstrating that we pretty much know their professionally focused projects. Both Program (CCLP) hosted by the National what the species of Cryptosporidium are students worked on Neospora caninum! Jess Centre for Cultural Competence (NCCC) in out there and how to identify them - now McCloud was elucidating the prevalence in Murramarang Nation Park in South Coast available from PARASITOLOGY. kangaroos and Ben Kwok has learned about NSW. tricks of running an IFAT to demonstrate Šlapeta J (2017). DNA barcoding of vertical transmission. We farewell Ben and A project with Taronga ZOO on the iconic Cryptosporidium. PARASITOLOGY Jess, yet more are already lined up for 2018, platypus and echidnas that we started in (in press) https://doi.org/10.1017/ in fact there will be at least 7 more DVM 2012 has finally come to fruition and a census S0031182017001809 students completing their projects with us on of protozoan parasites has been enabled parasitology! using NGS. Stefan Saverimuttu, the former Jess Panetta and Jessica Panuccio, two BSc(Vet) student, has long been practicing vet AnimalVet BioScience Honours worked on David Emery’s student Sarah George is at Central Coast. ticks this year and successfully completed their busy writing up her PhD thesis. Surely two degrees! And as we heard Jess Panetta will be recent papers make the writing easier. Well Šlapeta J, Saverimuttu S, Vogelnest L, starting DVM next year. done Sarah! Sangster C, Hulst F, Rose K, Thompson P, Whittington R (2017). Deep-sequencing to The wait is almost over and all about the George SD, Vanhoff Y, Baker K, Lake L, resolve complex diversity of apicomplexan Ctenocephalides fleas will be soon revealed Rolfe PF, Seewald W, Emery DL (2017). parasites in platypuses and echidnas: when our PhD student, Andrea Lawrence, Application of a coproantigen ELISA as Proof of principle for wildlife disease submits before X-mas this year! an indicator of efficacy against multiple investigation. INFECTION GENETICS AND life stages of Fasciola hepatica infections EVOLUTION 55:218-227. [IF=2.89] https:// Our PhD students Shona Chandra and in sheep. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY, doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2017.09.007 Clarencia Lie are busy sorting through the 246: 60-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. tick data and establishing diagnostic workflow vetpar.2017.08.028. Never take for granted that things don’t for Entamoeba, respectively. change! In fact they do, as demonstrated George SD, Baker, K, Lake, L, Vanhoff, by Sarah Sloan from LaTrobe Uni who has Nichola Calvani, PhD student, Fasciola eggs K, D’Arcy, R., Emery, D., Rolfe, PF 2017. visited our labs last year to do the Neospora cracking paid off! Her method has been Characterization of multiple life stages of testing. What a nice collaboration between published in PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL

Below: Jan Slapeta at Lampung DIC, Indonesia discussing parasitology with diagnosticians and veterinary students (top). Michael Ward, Mike Raynolds and Jan Šlapeta (all from University of Sydney) with laboratory staff at Lampung DIC, Indonesia.

www.parasite.org.au Page 37 STATE NEWS

State News continued

Far left: Nichola Calvani with a fellow University of Sydney PhD student Louisa Olmo at WAAVP

Centre left: Fasciola hepatica egg under SEM. Note the opened operculum aka “cap”.

DISEASES and her research scored the Charles Sturt Stoddart has also completed her Honours September cover http://journals.plos.org/ project on parasites of freshwater fish in plosntds/issue?id=10.1371/issue.pntd.v11.i09 University Murray Darling basin and will be graduated in December. She is a recipient of the Graham Calvani NED, Windsor PA, Bush RD, 3MT Brisbane Centre for Agricultural Innovations Honours Šlapeta J (2017). Scrambled eggs: A highly scholarship and the best student presentation sensitive molecular diagnostic workflow On the 29th of September, PhD student and award in CSU’s 2017 Research Symposium. for Fasciola species specific detection ASP member Cara Wilson, Graham Centre, from faecal samples. PLOS NEGLECTED represented Charles Sturt University at the Monica Dickson, Master of Animal Science TROPICAL DISEASES 11(9):e0005931. Asia-Pacific 3MT Competition held at the is currently investigating the seafood safety https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. University of Queensland in Brisbane. Cara training among Australian chefs as part of her pntd.0005931 competed against 54 other finalists from Master research project. universities throughout the Asia-Pacific. The Nichola visited Malaysia recently to represent aim of the competition is to summarise a Md Shafaet Hossen from Bangladesh, has the lab and her work on liver fluke at PhD thesis into an engaging three-minute started a PhD under Shokoofeh’s supervision. the 26th International Conference of the presentation that can be understood by He will be working on taxonomy of nematoda World Association for the Advancement of people throughout all disciplines using only and monogenean from selected commercial Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) (above). one static slide. fish in Australia. Here she presented her “Scrambled eggs”. The presentation was well received with many Cara’s presentation “War on waste: It’s not people showing interest in the disruption just plastic bags” described the wastage protocol she validated for the extraction of caused by hydatid disease (Echinococcus DNA from liver fluke eggs. And if you ever granulosus) in the Australian beef industry pondered how does fluke egg look under and how she plans to investigate this disease the scanning electron microscope and if the and reduce wastage. Cara was awarded an “cap” is real …. look no further! (see above). Editor’s Choice award and will be featured in Cosmos Magazine. Cara said “The Graeme Brown has co-authored publication competition was an amazing experience and demonstrating presence of Babesia vogeli in I got to meet so many amazing and talented Aboriginal community dogs. people. I entered the competition just to have a go and build on my presenting skills, and Shapiro AJ, Brown G, Norris JM, Bosward KL, look where I ended up! I will definitely be Marriot DJ, Balakrishnan N, Breitschwerdt recommending this competition to others.”. EB, Malik R (2017). Vector-borne and Cara’s talk can be viewed at the following zoonotic diseases of dogs in North-west New link: https://vimeo.com/237011607 . South Wales and the Northern Territory, Australia. BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH Shokoofeh Shamsi's Group 13:238. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017- 1169-2 Eleanor Steller, who did her honours project on nematoda parasites in Moreton Bay, Australia, graduated in August. Annie

Right: Cara Wilson of Charles Sturt University at 3MT, Brisbane

Page 38 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 STATE NEWS Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017

State News continued

Di Barton has established a branch of NT Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) and several Fisheries in Wagga for the next 3 years. She Monash University leading pharmaceutical companies. She will has spent this year finishing up her fish stock also be working with Natalie on antimalarial discrimination projects, with her work on the drug targets. black croaker and the grass emperor recently Dr Anubhav Srivastava, a research fellow published. The descriptions of the many new in Dr Darren Creek’s group at the Monash * species of parasites found in these fish are Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, won slowly making their way too. She has also the CASS (Contributing to Australian Recent publications by Victorian begun a project on the stock discrimination Scholarship and Science) Foundation’s travel researchers of hammerhead sharks with NT Fisheries and award to attend the (28th) Annual Molecular JCU. If all goes well, her interests will expand Parasitology at Woods Hole, MA, USA in Lopaticki S, Yang ASP, John A, Scott NE, to freshwater fish of the Murray Darling September 2017. Anubhav gave an oral Lingford JP, O'Neill MT, Erickson SM, McKenzie Basin as well as working on a project on the presentation and presented a poster on using NC, Jennison C, Whitehead LW, Douglas DN, parasites of snakes from around Wagga and metabolomics to find mode of action of Kneteman NM, Goddard-Borger ED, Boddey in Tasmania over the next couple of years. novel anti-malarial compounds. He also won JA. Protein O-fucosylation in Plasmodium the best poster prize at the conference for falciparum ensures efficient infection of Shokoofeh Shamsi attended the first AGM showcasing the work done in antimicrobial mosquito and vertebrate hosts. Nat Commun. and symposium of the Japan Society for metabolomics at the Creek laboratory at MIPS 2017 Sep 15;8(1):561. Promotion of Science in Canberra where and the Open Source Malaria Project. she talked about “shared love, shared risk: Yang ASP, Lopaticki S, O'Neill MT, Erickson SM, Australian and Japanese perspectives on Dr Darren Creek from the Monash Institute Douglas DN, Kneteman NM, Boddey JA. AMA1 research into parasites in seafood”. of Pharmaceutical Sciences was successful and MAEBL are important for Plasmodium in obtaining a NHMRC Career Development falciparum sporozoite infection of the liver. Cell ASP Undergraduate Prizewinners Fellowship (level 2) to continue his research Microbiol. 2017 Sep;19(9). applying metabolomics to drug discovery for Prize winners for 2017 are Scott Day and malaria and trypanosomiasis. He was also França CT, White MT, He WQ, Hostetler JB, Louise Sproule, congratulations! awarded the Future Research Leader Award Brewster J, Frato G, Malhotra I, Gruszczyk J, from the Monash Faculty of Pharmacy and Huon C, Lin E, Kiniboro B, Yadava A, Siba P, Pharmaceutical Sciences. Galinski MR, Healer J, Chitnis C, Cowman AF, Takashima E, Tsuboi T, Tham WH, Fairhurst RM, Victoria Rayner JC, King CL, Mueller I. Identification of University of highly-protective combinations of Plasmodium vivax recombinant proteins for vaccine La Trobe University Melbourne development. Elife. 2017 Sep 26;6. pii: e28673.

Parkyn Schneider M, Liu B, Glock P, Suttie A, Teresa Carvalho and colleagues were Tilley Lab McHugh E, Andrew D, Batinovic S, Williamson recently awarded a $1M grant from the N, Hanssen E, McMillan P, Hliscs M, Tilley Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS) The Tilley lab has welcomed several overseas L, Dixon MWA. Disrupting assembly of the to investigate the presence of virus and visitors recently. We have been hosting inner membrane complex blocks Plasmodium parasites in wild deer in Australia. This 4 year undergraduate student Theana Johnson, from falciparum sexual stage development. PLoS project, entitled "The role of wild deer in the Imperial College London, who is here on a Pathog. 2017 Oct 6;13(10):e1006659. transmission of diseases of livestock" is a joint ‘Research Abroad’ year to experience life as a collaboration between La Trobe University research scientist. Theana will be working with Huang HM, Bauer DC, Lelliott PM, Dixon MWA, and the Arthur Rylah Institute, during which Natalie Spillman, investigating the mechanism Tilley L, McMorran BJ, Foote SJ, Burgio G. Teresa, Dr Karla Helbig (La Trobe) and Dr of action of new antimalarial drugs. She Ankyrin-1 Gene Exhibits Allelic Heterogeneity Carlo Pacioni (ARI) will co-supervise a PhD is already hard at work growing malaria in Conferring Protection Against Malaria. G3 student. parasites. The lab has also welcomed Tahmina (Bethesda). 2017 Sep 7;7(9):3133-3144. Ahmed. Tahmina is with us for three months, from the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDRB). She is here on a sabbatical collaboration project funded by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in partnership with BIO

www.parasite.org.au Page 39 STATE NEWS

State News continued

Key Publications: A number of high-throughput screening Queensland assays for Plasmodium falciparum Bilal Zulfiqar, Todd B. Shelper and Vicky gametocytes have been published in M. Avery. Leishmaniasis drug discovery: recent years. In an attempt to unravel the Griffith University recent progress and challenges in assay discrepancies observed in their outcomes development. Drug Discovery Today. [Review] and explain the existing attrition in the 2017 Oct;22(10):1516-1531 PMID: 28647378. IF: prediction of transmission-blocking Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery 6.369. activity in the mosquito, we conducted (GRIDD) a comparison of three distinct mature This review provides an overview of the stage gametocytocidal assays (using high- Tropical parasitology Laboratory disease, current treatment options and content imaging and luciferase approaches), Professor Kathy Andrews was awarded a compares the various classical and modern in by testing 39 appropriately selected prestigious Women in Technology (WiT) Life vitro assays used in the last 20 years for anti- gametocytocidal compounds under strictly Sciences Research Leader Award for 2017. leishmanial drug discovery. Among the assays controlled parasitological, chemical, temporal Congratulations Kathy! available to identify drug candidate’s triage, and analytical conditions. We found that the High Content Screening (HCS) represent combining two assay approaches (sufficiently Welcome to Dr Shafiul Alam. Dr Alam is a a potential alternative, as the technique divergent from each other by biology visiting fellow from the International Centre correlates the high throughput efficiency covered, strain and/or technology used) for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh with biologically relevant models. HCS of and long incubation times greatly improves in the Emerging Infections and Parasitology the intracellular amastigote is thus likely to the agreement between in vitro assays and Laboratory, Infectious Diseases division remain the gold standard for Leishmania drug transmission-blocking activity in the mosquito, Bangladesh. Dr Shafiul will spend 6 months at discovery in the coming decade. thus providing enhance predictivity for the GRIDD to gain insights in the area of natural identification of biologically relevant malaria product drug discovery for malaria. Thomas Weidner, Leonardo Lucantoni, Abed transmission blocking compounds. Nasereddin, Lutz Preu, Peter G. Jones, Ron Honours student Emily Cooper was Dzikowski, Vicky M. Avery and Conrad Kunick. awarded First Class Honours for her thesis Antiplasmodial dihetarylthioethers target the “Investigating New Treatment Drug Leads for coenzyme A synthesis pathway in Plasmodium ACT Malaria’. Well done Emily! falciparum erythrocytes stages. Malaria Journal. 2017 May 15; 16(1): 192. IF: 3.40. Discovery Biology Laboratory Australian National In this research article we show that a new class of diarylthioether compounds University interfere with plasmodial coenzyme A synthesis, a mechanism of action not yet exploited in current antimalarial drugs and Martin Lab clinical candidates. In particular, the oxazole KuWei173 displayed double-digit nanomolar Sashika Richards (PhD Student) was antiplasmodial activity and lacked cytotoxicity awarded a 2017 Infection and Immunity against HEK-293 cells, and thus represents a Prize for a Student Poster and 3-min Talk promising chemical starting point for further ($250; sponsored by the Biochemical Journal). drug development. Congratulations Sashika!

Leonardo Lucantoni, Sasdekumar The Martin lab has welcomed Simone Loganathan and Vicky M. Avery. The need Babij as a new PhD student and farewelled to compare: assessing the level of agreement Dr Robert Summers. Rob has joined Prof of three high-throughput assays against Dyann Wirth’s lab at the Harvard T.H. School Plasmodium falciparum mature gametocytes. of Public Health where he will undertake NATURE Scientific Reports. 2017 Apr 5; 7: the first 2 years of his NHMRC CJ Martin 45992. IF: 5.525. Fellowship before returning to the Martin lab for the second leg of his fellowship.

Ala Tabor and her Christmas tick

Page 40 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 STATE NEWS Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017

State News continued

Crystal Cooper from The University of Media Western Australia Western Australia (in conjunction with Murdoch Parasitology) completed her PhD An article on parasites and electron titled “Characterisation of the biology, microscopy was published (picture below) in Murdoch University evolutionary relationships, and host-parasite the West Australian featuring some of the interactions of Australian Trypanosoma spp.” work conducted at Murdoch Parasitology and supervised by Peta Clode, Andy Thompson, the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation, PhD completions and Christopher Peacock. and Analysis at UWA.

A number of PhD students completed their doctorates recently. Congratulations to Dr. Catherine Perez from the Murdoch Parasitology group for completing her PhD titled “The investigation of two Trypanosoma cruzi isolates for their ability to complicate disease progression in the host” supervised by Andy Thompson and Alan Lymbery. Congratulations to Dr. Narelle Dybing for completing her PhD titled “Invasive animals and the Island Syndrome: Parasites of feral cats and black rats from Western Australia and its offshore islands”, supervised by Peter Adams, Peter Irwin, Caroline Jacobson, and Dave Algar.

Fellows of the Society: names to the faces

Here are the names of the five ASP Fellows shown on page 14

Russell Hobbs Emanuela Handman Nick Sangster Roger Prichard Nick Smith FASP 2007 FASP 2006 FASP 2006 FASP 2007 FASP 2008

To read a brief biography of each Fellow, visit parasite.org.au/the-society/fellows-of-the-society/

www.parasite.org.au Page 41 JOBS Employment and research opportunities

recent PhD and have a strong background 17% superannuation and attractive salary in molecular biology, cell culture, flow packaging options are available. cytometry and ethical research with mice. Proficiency in microscopy and General enquiries should be directed to A/ RNA sequencing is highly desirable. The Prof. Justin Boddey ([email protected]) successful applicant will work with malaria parasites and mosquitoes in the Institute’s A position description is available. Research Officer, Boddey insectary to study parasite-host interactions. Laboratory, WEHI A background in malaria or microbiology is Written applications including cover letter, not essential. CV and the names of 3 professional Application closing date: referees should be emailed in PDF format Sun, 31/12/2017 - 5:00pm The Institute is very supportive of female to [email protected], quoting scientists and offers financial support for reference WEHI/CAJB in the subject line. An opportunity exists for a Research Officer childcare through a Craven and Shearer to join the Infection and Immunity Division Award and an onsite Early Childhood At the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, we to study the molecular basis of malaria Education Centre childcare facility is due strive to ensure our staff and students parasite development in liver cells. The to open in 2018. Financial support for enjoy a great working environment. We laboratory is focused on understanding technical assistance is available through value diversity and gender equity in our how the malaria parasite transmitted a Page Betheras Award during and after workforce and promote flexible working from mosquitoes infects liver cells and Maternity leave. arrangements for staff to balance working changes its intracellular environment. This requirements and personal needs. is essential for subsequent blood stage The position is available for 12 months in infections that cause malaria. the first instance with funding available The original job advertisement can be for up to 3 years. Salary is dependent found at: https://www.wehi.edu.au/ The successful candidate will hold a upon qualifications and experience. Up to research-officer-boddey-laboratory

associated with: biology, and have an interest developing computational skills from other scientists • Cattle tick resistance in the team. You should also have a strong desire to develop your personal research • Buffalo fly resistance skills, while contributing to this team effort. You should have a current drivers licence. Research Scholar - Cattle • Resistance to development of buffalo You will need to meet the PhD entry Parasites fly lesions requirements of the UQ Graduate School (http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/our- Application closing date: Samples will be collected initially from research-degrees). The applicant should be Fri, 12/01/2018 - 11:55pm pilot herds within south east Queensland holder of an Australian Postgraduate Award to establish protocols and to obtain (APA) or equivalent. Job no: 501664 preliminary data as indications of resistance Area: Qld Alliance for Agriculture and Food or susceptibility. The methods to be used Enquiries: To discuss this opportunity, Innovation will include next generation sequencing and please contact Prof Ala Tabor (a.lewtabor@ Salary (FTE): Research Scholar BAND proteomics, immune response and analysis uq.edu.au). For general information on Work type: Full Time - Fixed Term, Full of skin and blood samples for immune the research higher degree program, see Time - Scholarship markers. Following initial identification http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/future- Location: St Lucia, Brisbane of markers, wider herd studies will be students undertaken to select robust biomarkers for The role: Your PhD research will assay development. The full job advertisement can be investigate the molecular and immune found at:http://jobs.uq.edu.au/caw/ interactions at tick bite and buffalo The candidate: Applicants should possess en/job/501664/research-scholar-cattle- fly feeding sites in cattle with high fly qualifications in relevant disciplines of parasites numbers and fly lesions to identify markers animal science, immunology and molecular

Page 42 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 JOBS Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017

Employment and reasearch opportunities continued

mortality. Fully effective drugs to treat The University of Pennsylvania is a leading crypto infection are lacking. We develop US center of biomedical research and a and apply molecular genetic strategies to marvelous place to do a postdoc with a enable parasite drug development as part stimulating intellectual environment and of a large interdisciplinary team. access to the latest technology.

In this new project funded by the Bill & Philadelphia is an exciting city to live in. Postdoctoral Fellows and Melinda Gates Foundation we will use experienced lab coordinator, CRISPR-based genome modification to Applications Striepen Lab, University of discover and/or validate the mode of action Pennsylvania of newly identified crypto drug candidates. Contact Boris Striepen by e-mail with a CV In a genome-wide effort we will map a statement of interests, and the names of Location: Philadelphia parasite metabolism, test essentiality and three references. unravel interaction between host cell and Work on Cryptosporidium in a new Bill parasite metabolism. Boris Striepen and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded Professor of Microbiology & Immunology project We are looking for recent PhD graduates Department of Pathobiology with strong training in experimental University of Pennsylvania Join us at the University of Pennsylvania in molecular biology or biochemistry, a keen 380 South University Avenue Philadelphia to work on Cryptosporidium interest in science and global health and Philadelphia, PA 19104-4539 genetics, metabolism, and drug the drive to solve challenging problems. development. Bioinformatics skills are a plus. We will also [email protected] consider experienced molecular biologists Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of with a BS or MS for the position of lab http://www.striepenlab.org severe diarrhea in young children and an coordinator. important contributor to early childhood

ParaBoss is a national authority for or email [email protected] ruminant livestock parasite management and is funded by Meat & Livestock, Job advertisment Australia, Australian Wool Innovation https://hr.une.edu.au/v15/WK8127$APP. Ltd and UNE, and is currently seeking an draw_attachments?P_VACANCY_ experienced Parasite Research Scientist to REF_NO=217242&P_CALLER_ join the ParaBoss team based at UNE. URL=WK8127ZZDOLLARZZAPP. QueryListZZQMARKZZZ_ORDER_BY=1 This Research Scientist role will contribute Research Scientist (ParaBoss) to the ParaBoss team and also develop a at the University of New portfolio of ruminant livestock parasitology England research. Both activities will contribute to improved parasite management of sheep, 3 year fixed-term positon, with the goats and/or cattle. The position will join possibility of extension. an academic and technical team covering a range of disciplines with access to UNE Salary: $114,074 to $131,360 SMART Farms, Cooperative Research per annum (Level C). Centres and Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit. Location: Armidale, NSW, Australia To discuss this role please contact Dr Applications close 10 am, Monday, Deborah Maxwell: 22nd January 2018 Phone 02 6779 4262, 0437 524 163

www.parasite.org.au Page 43 EVENTS Upcoming events

National Scientific Conference veterinary health, travel medicine and Medicine and Parasitology (ASTMP). on Infectious Diseases, HIV/ innovation in diagnosis and treatment of AIDS and the 8th ASEAN infectious and parasitic diseases. We therefore take great pleasure in inviting you and your organisation to participate Congress of Tropical Medicine In addition, you will have the opportunity in the Congress as our valued attendance, and Parasitology (ACTMP) to visit Nha Trang, a coastal city and capital sponsor, to showcase the cutting edge 2018 of Khanh Hoa Province located on the technologies and products. South Central Coast of Vietnam. Nha Trang Nha Trang, Vietnam has the most beautiful beach and islands in We are excited about this congress as 26 to 29 July 2018 Vietnam and has developed into a popular well as the opportunities for scientific and destination for international tourists with social interactions with colleagues from Dear Professors, Colleagues, Members a large numbers of tourist attractions. Nha the Vietnam, ASEAN and around the and Friends, Trang has beautiful white sand beaches world. Join us in 2018 in Nha Trang for and crystal clear waters, where the waves an enlightening, informative and enriching On behalf of the Organizing Committee, are perfect for surfing and where the diving experience as well as enjoying Nha Trang, we warmly invite you to join us in July 2018 lovers have a lot to discover. Nha Trang one of the most beautiful bay in the world. at what will be the first ACTMP Congress Bay is considered one of the most beautiful to be held in Vietnam. of all South-East Asia and one of the most For more information, please visit the beautiful in the world 29 bays. website http://www.actmp2018.com With the theme “A better health for ASEAN Community”, the Congress will be The Vietnam Annual National Scientific We look forward to welcoming you in Nha excellent opportunities to bring together Conference on Infectious Diseases, HIV/ Trang 2018. Vietnamese, ASEAN and international AIDS & 8th ASEAN Congress of Tropical infectious diseases and parasitology Medicine and Parasitology (ACTMP) are Yours sincerely, community to share and exchange jointly hosted by the National Hospital for knowledge, experience and learn from each Infectious Diseases (NHTD), Vietnam Society Associate Professor. Nguyen Van Kinh other as well as promote new international of Infectious Diseases (VSID), Vietnam collaborations. The program will include Clinical of HIV/AIDS Society (VCHAS), Chair of the 8th ACTMP Organizing clinical and scientific topics from zoonotic Vietnam Society of Parasitology (VSP), Committee to vector-borne diseases, emerging and Oxford Clinical Research Unit Vietnam re-emerging diseases, parasitic diseases, (OUCRU), ASEAN Society of Tropical

British Society for University of Aberystwyth, Wales Parasitology 8th to 11th April 2018 Spring Meeting 2018 The BSP Spring Meeting will Include a BES stream, BAVP stream and Trypanosomiasis & Leishmaniasis Symposia

Organiser Contact Details:

Justin Pachbat T: 01234 211015 [email protected]

Page 44 AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR PARASITOLOGY INC. ABN 65 979 686 445 COUNCIL Volume 28 Issue No.5 December 2017 Council of the Australian Society for Parasitology Inc.

Executive

President Vice President Una Ryan David Emery Murdoch University The University of Sydney E: [email protected] T: (02) 9351 3102 E:[email protected]

Treasurer Executive Secretary Amanda Ash Charlotte Oskam Murdoch Univesity Murdoch University E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

www.parasite.org.au Page 45 COUNCIL

ASP Council continued

State Councillors

ACT NSW NT QLD Chrsitina Spry Shokoofeh Shamsi Michelle Boyle Gillian Fisher Research School of Biology, Charles Sturt University Menzies School of Health Research Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Australian National University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678 Global and Tropical Health Division Griffith University, Canberra, ACT 0200 T: +61 2 6933 4887 PO Box 41096 T: +61 7 3735 4415 E:[email protected] E: [email protected] Casuarina, NT 0811 E: [email protected],au E: [email protected]

SA TAS VIC WA Danny Wilson Barbara Nowak Matthew Dixon Crystal Cooper University of Adelaide. University of Tasmania University of Melbourne University of Western Australia, T: +61 8 8313 8259 AMC, NCMCRS E: [email protected] [email protected] E: [email protected] Locked Bag 1370 Launceston, Tasmania 7250 E: [email protected]

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ASP Council continued

Other Members of Council

IJP Editor IJP:DDR Editor IJP:DDR Editor IJP:PAW Editor Brian Cooke Kevin Saliba Andrew Kotze Andrew Thompson Monash University, Australian Natioinal University CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Murdoch University E: [email protected] [email protected] Sciences Murdoch WA T: +61 3 9902 9146 (02) 61257549 [email protected] T: (08) 9360 2466 E: [email protected]

Bancroft-Mackerras Incorporation ASP Network ASP Executive Officer Medal Convenor Secretary Convenor Lisa Jones ASP Network for Parasitology, Malcolm Jones Tina Skinner-Adams Nick Smith James Cook University, University of Queensland Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Griffith University, Cairns Campus QLD 4878 E: [email protected] T: (07) 4232 1311 E: [email protected]

Archivist Haylee Weaver Australian Biological Resources Study T: (02) 2 6250 9434 E: [email protected]

www.parasite.org.au Page 47