RIEL seminar series
The melioidosis agent Burkholderia pseudomallei in the environment of the Top End
| Presenter | Dr Mirjam Kaestli | |
|---|---|---|
| Date/Time |
to
|
|
| Contact person | E: riel.outreach@cdu.edu.au | |
| Location | CDU Casuarina Campus Yellow 1.1.39 and online | |
| Open to | Public | |
Melioidosis is a severe infectious disease affecting humans and animals in the tropical belt worldwide. It is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which naturally occurs in soil and water in endemic regions. B. pseudomallei is an often-overlooked opportunistic pathogen which is estimated to account for more than 80,000 deaths a year globally, predominantly among poor agricultural workers in low to middle income countries. It is endemic in Northern Australia with an average of 52 cases and 4 deaths each year in the Top End. This talk will provide an overview of what we have learnt about its habitat in the environment of the Top End with a focus on water. We dug beyond the surface and also looked at its occurrence in groundwater and bore drills, and we will discuss the challenges water suppliers in Northern Australia face to manage its occurrence in the source of drinking water.
Dr Mirjam Kaestli is a microbial ecologist working in the Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Unit (ECMU) at RIEL and the melioidosis research group at Menzies School of Health Research. Her current research focuses on source tracking of microbial signatures in water, the microbiota in drinking water and its interactions with engineered systems as well as the occurrence of opportunistic pathogens in drinking water. The latter is with a focus on the melioidosis agent Burkholderia pseudomallei. Mirjam has 17 years’ experience in exploring the habitat of B. pseudomallei in the environment of the Top End including in soil, water and plants.
Related Events
Turbocharge your writing
Would you like to know the secret to high output, low-stress scholarly writing? In academia, it is often assumed that writing comes naturally. However, an overwhelming body of research shows that there are very clear and practical strategies that can greatly increase your writing productivity.
Read more about Turbocharge your writing
RIEL Seminar Series – Can sensory deterrents reduce shark and ray bycatch in Australia's gillnet fisheries?
PhD candidate Emily Taljaard will present her research on the effectiveness of sensory deterrents in reducing accidental shark and ray bycatch within commercial gillnet fisheries to help protect vulnerable species and support sustainable fishing practices.
Read more about RIEL Seminar Series – Can sensory deterrents reduce shark and ray bycatch in Australia's gillnet fisheries?
Extensive Ethics and Integrity
This session will provide research students and their supervisors with the foundation required to begin planning ethical research that involves humans as participants, and or their data.
Read more about Extensive Ethics and Integrity
