MEDICINAL PLANTS

Microalgae as a protein production and drug delivery platform has the potential to make the revolutionize livestock industry by solving many of the existing technical and commercial challenges with oral vaccines. Algae are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) means algae can be safely used as an animal feed additive. As recognized in plant production systems, recombinant proteins made using algae can be produced with less capital input, and no risk of contamination with animal pathogenic agents. In addition, the commercial-scale production of microalgae is already feasible. Moreover, microalgae are a natural part of the fish diet and an essential nutrient source for many commercially harvested fish species. They are a rich source of natural antimicrobial compounds, immunostimulants, and other essential nutrients.

Medicines derived from plants have a long history of improving our quality of life and, with the development of new technologies and capabilities, we are just at the beginning of what can be achieved.

To improve the yield of bioactive compounds, the various enzymes involve in the biosynthetic pathways will be characterized at protein level using a range techniques such as X-ray crystallography, enzymology, site-directed mutagenesis and proteomics. The ultimate aim is to increase the yield of the targeted bioactive compound in the plant.

     Revolutionising Wound Healing: Harnessing Antimicrobial Power from Recycled Botanical Waste

Emergence of highly pathogenic anti-microbial resistant (AMR) bacteria would be detrimental to global health, inducing a catastrophic number of deaths. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated 700,000 deaths globally are an in-direct result of AMR infection, which could significantly inflate to 10 million by 2050. Screening medicinal plants for novel anti-microbial therapies provides a solution towards a global health issue and prepares Australia for the future. Repurposing, recycling, and reusing Humulus lupulus. L (hops) waste generated from beer manufacturing presents being an appropriate source for this matter, as hops withholds a unique and complex phytochemical profile and may inhibit microbes’ ability to develop resistance in the future.  

PhD Student: Luke McKay

Development of Alternative Varroa Treatment

This project aims to alleviate the environmental challenges surrounding the management of medicinal plant waste produced via food and beverage manufacturing. Humulus lupulus. L (hops) a twinging plant of the Cannabaceae family is a crucial ingredient required for beer manufacturing and produces a significant quantity of waste by-product. Hops waste holds the potential to be repurposed as organic bio-pesticides and may target several high-priority pests of agriculture, particularly, Varroa mite a honeybee ectoparasite that most recently emerged in Australia. Varroa now poses the greatest threat towards honeybee health and the pollination services they provide towards one-third of Australia’s agricultural important crops, highlighting the need for novel and innovative management solutions.

PhD Student: Luke McKay

• Biochemistry of various cannabis biosynthetic pathways

• Use of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as novel oral vaccine delivery vehicle for livestock and aquaculture industries