Biological Sciences
Overview of the Research Area
A diverse and interesting array of biological research is undertaken in the school spanning from working at the molecular level to analysis of the biological impact of climate change. Areas of biological research also overlap with other areas of the university including medical science, environment science and zoology. There are also staff with a strong research interest in Biology education.
Research focusing on structure-function studies of genes, peptides and proteins are carried out by several groups whereby they use modern tools in molecular biology and protein chemistry. Using state of the art instrumentation such NMR, mass spectrometry and confocal imaging, research projects aim to investigate the cellular dynamics and functions of proteins and genes. Examples of projects include cellular oxidative stress, the structure and function of neuropeptide-metal binding, cell signalling, gene activation and therapy and post-translational modification.
Groups involved in microbiology are studying the importance of survival and delivery of probiotic bacteria and their interactions with the immune system, natural gut bacteria and pathogens. Other projects include rapid method development for detection of pathogens in food together and the ecology and mechanisms of gastrointestinal pathogenesis. The role of biofilms in the persistence and transmission of bacterial pathogens in disease and methods for prevention and control are other important areas of research in the school.
Several groups work on bioactive natural products from micro-organisms to plants. This includes the study of antibiotics and other bioactive compounds from soil bacteria and cyanobacteria, investigating the biosynthesis and regulation and delivery into the environment. Other projects look to identify plant-derived antibiotics and determine mechanisms of tolerance.
Other areas of expertise include studying the eye and the chemistry of tear film, working at the interface of biology and physical chemistry. Expertise also exists in studying the response of marine organisms to climate change.
Researchers
Dr Chris Cazzonelli
Dr Chris Cazzonelli
Hawkesbury Institute For The Environment
Research Expertise and Interest: Epigenetics, carotenoid metabolism, gene regulation, mechanical stress, horticulture, tree genomics
C.Cazzonelli@westernsydney.edu.au
Assoc Prof Oula Ghannoum
Assoc Prof Oula Ghannoum
Research Expertise and Interest: Photosynthesis, Global Change Biology, Crop Improvement, Protected Cropping
O.Ghannoum@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Hayley Green
Dr Hayley Green
Research Expertise and Interest: Forensic Anthropology and Taphonomy. Expertise in the determination of biological age, sex and stature of human skeletal remains from the Australian population and skeletal factors of individualisation. Research interests in determining time since death from changes to soft tissue and bones and effects of the environment to bone over time
H.Green@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Tony Haigh
Dr Tony Haigh
a.haigh@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Sebastian Holmes
Dr Sebastian Holmes
Research Expertise and Interests: Marine & Aquatic Biology/Ecology. Population/conservation genetics. Ecophysiology inclusive of the impacts of climate change. Molluscs – particularly bivalves & gastropods
S.Holmes@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Thomas Jeffries
Dr Thomas Jeffries
Research Expertise and Interest: Bioinformatics; Microbial ecology; Microbiology; Microbiomes
T.Jeffries@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Mark Jones
Dr Mark Jones
Research Expertise and Interest: Cell Biology, biochemist
m.r.jones@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Jessica Meade
Dr Jessica Meade
Hawkesbury Institute For The Environment
J.Meade@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Michelle Moffitt
Dr Michelle Moffitt
Research Expertise and Interest: Microbiology; Microbial Interactions; Small molecules and bioactive metabolites; Metabolomics; Plant pathogens and biosecurity
M.Moffitt@westernsydney.edu.au
Assoc Prof Julie Old
Assoc Prof Julie Old
Research Expertise and Interest: Comparative Immunology; Wildlife and Wildlife Management
J.Old@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Alexie Papanicolaou
Dr Alexie Papanicolaou
Hawkesbury Institute For The Environment
Research Expertise and Interest: Bioinformatics; Biosecurity; Genomics
A.Papanicolaou@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Gabriel Perrone
Assoc Prof Jonathan Plett
Assoc Prof Jonathan Plett
Hawkesbury Institute For The Environment
J.Plett@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Adrian Renshaw
Dr Adrian Renshaw
Research Expertise and Interest: All things biological including conservation, environmental science, plant science, ecology, biosecurity and forensics
A.Renshaw@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Paul Rymer
Dr Paul Rymer
Hawkesbury Institute For The Environment
Research Expertise and Interest: Paul combines classical and novel ecological and molecular techniques to address outstanding questions in evolutionary ecology. His research focuses on the ecology and evolution of organisms in natural populations, in particular plant-animal interactions, mating patterns, hybridisation and local adaptation, and how these factors drive and erode species diversity. His research is applied to understanding the origin of biodiversity hotspots, the evolution of invasiveness, and adaptation to climate change
P.Rymer@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Mark Temple
Dr Mark Temple
Research Expertise and Interest: Bioinformatics; Computer Science; Molecular Biology; Music Collaboration; STEM Education
M.Temple@westernsydney.edu.au
Dr Ming Wu
Dr Ming Wu
Research Expertise and Interest: Metal biology, systems biology, cancers, biochemistry
M.Wu@westernsydney.edu.au
Contact Person
For more information about the research area, please contact Prof. Thomas Millar via Email: T.Millar@westernsydney.edu.au Phone:(02) 9685 9901
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