Associate Professor Alicja (Ala) Lew
Position
Acting Senior Principal Research Scientist (Molecular Biology), Temporary higher duties, Emerging Technologies
Adjunct Associate Professor, Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University
Contact
Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries
Animal Research Institute
665 Fairfield Road
Yeerongpilly Qld 5105
Tel: 07 3362 9502
Fax: 07 3362 9429
Email: ala.lew@dpi.qld.gov.au
Qualifications
BScHons PhD
Research Interests
The application of genome/sequence data to develop molecular diagnostic and genotyping methods to better identify pathogens, and to study gene function in relation to virulence and host pathogenicity of infectious diseases to improve animal disease management (bovine: immune deficiency, 3-day sickness, reproductive diseases, tick and tick borne diseases; avian coccidiosis, livestock myiasis).
Ten Most Significant Publications
1. Lew, A.E., Dalrymple, B.P., Jeston, P.J. and Bock, R.E. (1997a) PCR methods for the characterisation of Babesia bovis isolates. Veterinary Parasitology 71:223-237.
2. Lew, A.E., Dluzewski, A.R., Johnson, A.M., Pinder, J.C. (2002b) Myosins of Babesia bovis: Molecular characterisation and erythrocyte invasion. Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton 52:202-220.
3. Lew, A.E., Gale, K.R., Minchin, C.M., Shkap, V., de Waal, D.T. (2003a) Phylogenetic analysis of the erythrocytic Anaplasma species based on 16S rDNA and GroEL (HSP 60) sequences of A. marginale, A. centrale, and A. ovis and the specific detection of A. centrale vaccine strain. Veterinary Microbiology 92:145-160.
4. Lew, A.E., Bock, R.E., Molloy, J.B., Minchin, C.M., Robinson, S.J., Steer, P. (2004a) Sensitive and specific detection of proviral bovine leukemia virus by 5' Taq nuclease PCR using a 3' minor groove binder fluorogenic probe. Journal of Virological Methods 115:167-175.
5. de la Fuente, J, Lew, A., Lutz, H., Meli, M.L., Hofmann-Lehmann, R., Shkap, V., Molad, T., Mangold, A.J., Almazán, C., Naranjo, V., Gortázar, C., Torina, A., Caracappa, S., Garcia-Perez, A.L., Barral, M., Oporto, B., Ceci, L., Carelli, G., Blouin, E.F., Kocan, K.M. (2005) Genetic diversity of Anaplasma species major surface proteins and implications for anaplasmosis serodiagnosis and vaccine development. Animal Health Research Reviews 6:75-89.
6. LeRoith, T., Brayton, K.A., Molloy, J.B., Bock, R.E., Hines, S.A., Lew, A.E., McElwain, T.F. (2005) Sequence variation and immunologic cross-reactivity among Babesia bovis merozoite surface antigen 1 proteins from vaccine strains and vaccine breakthrough isolates. Infection and Immunity 73:5388-5394.
7. Berens, S.J., Brayton, K.A., McElwain, T. F., Molloy, J.B., Lew, A.E., Bock, R. E. (2005) Merozoite surface antigen 2 proteins of Babesia bovis vaccine breakthrough isolates contain a unique hypervariable region composed of degenerate repeats. Infection and Immunity 73:7180-7189.
8. McMillen, L., Fordyce, G., Lew, A.E. (2006) Sensitive and specific detection of Tritrichomonas foetus in cattle by 5' Taq nuclease assay with fluorescent 3' minor groove binder -DNA probe. Veterinary Parasitology 141: 204-215.
9. Lew A.E., Guo S-Y., Venus B., Moolhuijzen P., Sanchez D., Trott D., Burrell P., Wlodek B., Bellgard M. (2007) Comparative genome analysis applied to develop novel PCR assays to characterise and identify Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis isolates. Zoonoses and Public Health 54 (Supplement 1) 2007: 154.
10. Piper E.K., Jackson L.A., Bagnall N. Kongsuwan K., Lew A.E., Jonsson N.N. (2008) Gene expression in skin of Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle infested with the cattle tick. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 126:110-119.
Currently Held Grants
2008-2011 "An integrated genomics approach to improve our understanding of the biology of genital campylobacteriosis in beef cattle" ARC Linkage, DPI&F Partner Investigator and Project Leader, $630K (approved May 2008)
2008 Comparative tick gene expression in Brahman and Holstein-Friesian cattle. Meat and Livestock Australia. A.E. Lew, M. Rodriguez Valle, L.A. Jackson & N.N. Jonsson (University of Queensland).
2007-2010 A cattle tick vaccine for tropical and subtropical beef industries; a reverse vaccinology genomics approach. Department of State Development & Trade (Qld) Smart State funds. A.E. Lew, L.A. Jackson, W.K. Jorgensen, N.N. Jonsson (University of Queensland), M. Bellgard (Murdoch University), F. Guerrero (USDA).
2005-2008 "Anaplasma centrale genome project" (Washington State University) - Role: Collaborator, provision of Australian A. centrale gDNA
2005-2009 CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies. Program 3: Adaptation and Cattle Welfare. Novel solutions to improve tick resistance of cattle. Changes in immune responses and gene expression of tick resistant versus susceptible cattle. L.A. Jackson & N.N. Jonsson (University of Queensland).
2006-2008 "Specific detection of Chrysomya bezziana (SWF) in bulk trap catches using real time PCR" MLA AHW.111 Role: Project Leader (2006), Project Advisor (07-08)
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