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Scientific Program | Symposia Sessions (preliminary)

Div 1: Medical & Veterinary Microbiology | Div 2: Virology

Div 3: General, Applied & Environmental Microbiology | Div 4: Microbial Genetics, Physiology & Pathogenesis

The symposia program has been developed in consultation with the National Scientific Advisory Committee (NSAC) of the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM).

All sessions will be held at the Melbourne Convention Centre - conference registration is required

NSAC Division 1 | Medical and Veterinary Microbiology

2008 Division Chair \| Dr Diane Lightfoot Enteric Section, Microbiological Diagnostic Unit, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC
Monday 7 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| John Batman Theatre, Level 3
Serological Testing of Antenatal Patients - A Tribute to Kath Hayes
Session Chair: Wayne Dimech National Serology Reference Laboratory, Fitzroy VIC
Neonatal HIV Infection	Professor Wendy Stevens National Health Laboratory Services, Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Gestational toxoplasmosis - Real or Phantom	Professor Lyn Gilbert Centre Infectious Diseases & Microbiology, ICMPR, Westmead Hospital, Westmead NSW
Diagnosis of Congenital and Neonatal CMV	Professor William Rawlinson Virology Division, SEALS Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick NSW

Monday 7 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| Corryong Rooms 1+2, Level 2
Mycology – A Tribute to Florey
Session Chair: Associate Professor David Ellis Mycology Unit, Women's & Children's Hospital, North Adelaide SA
The Clinical Value of Serology and Molecular Tests for Diagnosing Invasive Aspergillosis in High-Risk Haematology Patients: ASPID Trial	Dr Orla Morrissey Infectious Diseases Unit, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne VIC
Investigating the Molecular Epidemiology of Australian Clinical Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates	Dr Sarah Kidd Department of Medicine, Central and Eastern Clinical School, Monash University VIC
Australian Scedosporium Study	Dr Sharon Chen Center for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Hospital, and NHMRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Infections, Bioethics and Haematological Malignancies, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW

Monday 7 July 2008 \| 4.00pm - 5.30pm \| John Batman Theatre, Level 3
Serology of Arboviral Infections
Session Chair: Ian Sampson
Pitfalls in Arbovirus Serology	Dr Linda Hueston Arbovirus and Emerging Disease Unit, Westmead Hospital, NSW
Molecular Diagnosis of Arboviruses	Dr Ina Smith Public Health Virology Queensland Health, Forensic and Scientific Services, Coopers Plains QLD
Effects of Arboviruses on Blood Services	Dr Tony Keller Australian Red Cross Blood Service

Monday 7 July 2008 \| 4.00pm - 5.30pm \| La Trobe Theatre, Level 2
Parasitology & Tropical Medicine – A Tribute to Joc Forsyth
Session Chair: Dr Harsha Sheorey St Vincent's Hospital, Parkville VIC
Dientamoeba fragilis: Recent Advances and its Role as a Human Pathogen	Professor John Ellis Institute for Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, NSW
Malaria	Professor Graham Brown Director of the Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC
Mining the Trypanosoma and Leishmania Genomes for Novel Drug Targets: Prospects & Problems	Dr Emanuela Handman Infection & Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville VIC

INFECTION CONTROL DAY SESSION Tuesday 8 July 2008 \| 10.30am - 12.00pm \| La Trobe Theatre, Level 2
Challenges in Gram-negative Infections
Session Chair: Associate Professor Denis Spelman Head of Microbiology and Deputy Director of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne VIC
Gram-negative resistance: ESBLs and beyond	Dr John Turnidge Division Of Laboratory Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide SA
Resistance Trends in Gram-negative Bacteria in Australia	Jan Bell Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide SA
Infection Control Management Issues with Resistant Gram-negative Bacteria	Associate Professor Tom Gottlieb Infectious Diseases Department, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord NSW

INFECTION CONTROL DAY SESSION Tuesday 8 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| La Trobe Theatre, Level 2
Gut Wrenching &/or Difficult Decisions in Infection Control
Session Chair: Associate Professor Keryn Christiansen Department of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Royal Perth Hospital, WA
MDR-TB in a Modern Australian Hospital	Associate Professor Paul Johnson Infectious Diseases Department, Austin Health, Heidelberg VIC
Is Australia ready for epidemic Clostridium difficile?	Professor Tom Riley Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, University of Western Australia, Nedlands WA
Norovirus: Rapid Diagnosis During Outbreaks	Dr Rob Baird Melbourne Pathology, Collingwood VIC

INFECTION CONTROL DAY SESSION Tuesday 8 July 2008 \| 4.00pm - 5.30pm \| La Trobe Theatre, Level 2
Microbial Challenges in Infection Control
Session Chair: Elizabeth Grabsch Microbiology Department, Austin Health (Austin Campus), Heidelberg VIC
hVISA, is it a Concern?	Dr Ben Howden Infectious Diseases Department, Austin Health, Heidelberg VIC
Rapid diagnosis of MRSA	Professor Jacques Schrenzel Genomic Research Laboratory, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Geneva Hospitals, Switzerland
Future Directions in Infection Control	Associate Professor Keryn Christiansen Dept Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Royal Perth Hospital, WA

Wednesday 9 July 2008 \| 10.30am - 12.00pm \| Corryong Room 3, Level 2
Veterinary Microbiology: Emerging Zoonosis I
Session Chair: Dr Wendy McDonald Investigation and Diagnostic Centre, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
Emergence of New Epidemic Viruses Through Host Switching	Dr Deborah Middleton Australian Animal Health Laboratories, CSIRO, Geelong VIC
Optimised Sampling And Processing For Enhanced Detection Of Avian Influenza Virus From Field Samples	Dr Simone Warner Microbiology Sub-Platform, PIRVic , Attwood VIC
The NZ Model of Cooperative Diagnosis & Research of Zoonotic Diseases Between Vet & Human Health Labs	Dr Wendy McDonald Investigation and Diagnostic Centre, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand

Wednesday 9 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| Corryong Room 3, Level 2
Veterinary Microbiology: Emerging Zoonosis II
Session Chair: Professor Mary Barton Sansom Institute, School of Pharmacy & Medical Science, University of South Australia SA
The Management of Equine Influenza in Australia	Dr James Gilkerson Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC
Presentation title tbc	Dr Russell Graydon Department of Primary Industries, Attwood VIC
Zoonotic Potential of Exotic Pets	3rd speaker tbc

Wednesday 9 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| La Trobe Theatre, Level 2
Case Studies
Session Chair: Dr Tony Korman Infectious Disease Department, Southern Health, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton VIC
Gastrointestinal Leishmaniasis Due To Leishmania Species In A Patient With Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus	Dr Same Hume Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville VIC
Q Fever Endocarditis	Dr Trisha Peel Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne VIC
Pythium insidiosum Keratitis in an Australian Patient	Dr Paul Badenoch Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park SA

Thursday 10 July 2008 \| 10.30am - 12.00pm \| La Trobe Theatre, Level 2
Water-Borne Infections – A Tribute to Nancy Millis
Session Chair: Dr Diane Lightfoot Microbiological Diagnostic Unit - Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC
V. parahaemolyticus Pandemic	Dr G. Balakrish Nair National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India
Augmenting the Water Supply	Emeritus Professor Nancy Millis Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC
Blue Green Algae	Professor Chris Saint Research and Development, Australian Water Quality Centre SA

Thursday 10 July 2008 \| 10.30am - 12.00pm \| Corryong Rooms 1+2, Level 2
*Mycobacteria: M. ulcerans* – A Tribute to the Work of Jean Tolhurst & Glen Buckle**
Session Chair: Dr Janet Fyfe Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, North Melbourne VIC
History of Disease, Worldwide and in Australia	Associate Professor John Hayman Monash University, Clayton VIC
Pathogenesis of M. ulcerans	Dr Tim Stinear Microbiology Department, Monash University, Clayton VIC
From Golf Courses to Possum Traps - a 15 Year Review of the Epidemiology of Mycobacterium ulcerans in Victoria	Associate Professor Paul Johnson Infectious Diseases Department, Austin Health, Heidelberg VIC

Thursday 10 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| La Trobe Theatre, Level 2
Exotic Infections: Local or Imported – A Tribute to Doris Graham
Vaccines for Control of Neurocysticercosis and Hydatid Disease	Associate Professor Marshall Lightowlers Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC
Infectious Diseases in Immigrants and Refugees – Hearing Hoofbeats, Thinking Zebras	Associate Professor Beverley Biggs Dept of Medicine & VIDS, Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC
Enteric Fevers: Changing Times	Dr Diane Lightfoot Microbiological Diagnostic Unit - Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC

NSAC Division 2 | Virology

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2008 Division Chair \| Dr Gilda Tachedjian Macfarlane Burnet Centre, Melbourne VIC
Monday 7 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| La Trobe Theatre, Level 2
Viruses & Host Cell Interactions
Session Chair: Dr Hans Netter Senior Lecturer, Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton VIC
Retroviral Restriction Factors	Professor Stephen Goff Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University, New York USA
Uracil DNA Glycosylase is Poorly Expressed in the Natural Target Cells of HIV-1 and is not Required for HIV-1 Infection	Associate Professor Johnson Mak Molecular Virology Program, Burnet Institute VIC
Restriction of Retroviruses by Cellular TRIM5 Proteins	Dr Jenny Anderson Molecular Interactions Group, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne VIC

Monday 7 July 2008 \| 4.00pm - 5.30pm \| Corryong Rooms 1+2, Level 2
Antivirals & Drug Resistance
Session Chair: Associate Professor Johnson Mak Molecular Virology Program, Burnet Institute VIC
Molecular Virology of Hepatitis B Virus and Antiviral Drug Resistance	Professor Stephen Locarnini Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory VIC
Influenza Drug Resistance to NA Inhibitors	Dr Jennifer McKimm-Breschkin CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies VIC
Drug Resistance Mutations in the C-terminal Domains of the HIV Reverse Transcriptase	Dr Gilda Tachedjian Molecular Interactions Group, Molecular Virology Program, Burnet Institute VIC

Tuesday 8 July 2008 \| 10.30am - 12.00pm \| Bellarine Rooms 3+4, Level 4
Viruses, Vaccines & Vectors
Session Chair: Dr Stephen Turner Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Melbourne VIC
Virus Like Particles	Associate Professor David Anderson Vaccine Program, Burnet Institute VIC
Viral Vectors as Vaccines	Associate Professor Andreas Suhrbier Immunovirology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, QLD
HIV Vaccine Strategies	Dr Damian Purcell Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne VIC

Tuesday 8 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| Bellarine Rooms 3+4, Level 4
Influenza - Pandemic & Control
Session Chair: Associate Professor David Anderson Vaccine Program, Burnet Institute VIC
Avian Influenza - Potential for a Pandemic	Dr Ian Barr WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza VIC
Flu Vaccines Strategies	Dr Steve Turner Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Melbourne VIC
Antivirals	Professor Mark von Itzstein Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, QLD

Wednesday 9 July 2008 \| 10.30am - 12.00pm \| La Trobe Theatre, Level 2
Hepatitis Viruses - A Tribute to Ian Gust
Session Chair: Professor Stephen Locarnini Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory VIC
Hepatitis Replication and Diagnosis	Professor Ian Gust Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne VIC
HIV and Hepatitis Coinfections	Professor Sharon Lewin Infectious Diseases Unit, Monash University, VIC
HCV Epidemiology in Australia	Associate Professor Greg Dore National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, NSW

Wednesday 9 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| Corryong Rooms 1+2, Level 2
Technical Advances in Virology
Session Chair: Dr Hans Heine CSIRO Livestock Industries, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong VIC
Clinical Testing in Resource Poor Countries	Professor Suzanne Crowe Pathogenesis Program, Burnet Institute VIC
Advances in the Diagnosis of Exotic Viruses	Dr Michael Johnson CSIRO Livestock Industries VIC
Advances in Diagnosis of Human Viral Pathogens	Dr Scott Bowden Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory VIC

Thursday 10 July 2008 \| 10.30am - 12.00pm \| Bellarine Rooms 3+4, Level 4
Replication, Virulence and Impact of Climate Change on Mosquito Borne Viruses
Session Chair: Dr Malik Peiris Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, SAR
Dengue and Japanese Encephalitis	Professor John S MacKenzie Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Flavivirus Replication - Role of Cholesterol	Dr Jason Mackenzie LaTrobe University, VIC
Markers of Attenuation and Virulence in Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus	Dr Roy Hall Faculty of Biological & Chemical Sciences, University of Queensland, QLD

Thursday 10 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| Bellarine Rooms 3+4, Level 4
Emerging Viruses & Evolution
Session Chair: Professor Stephen Goff Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University, NY, USA; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NY, USA
Avian flu H5N1: Where did it come from and where is it going?	Dr Malik Peiris Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, SAR
Presentation title tbc	Glenn Marsh
Retroviral Invasion of the Koala Genome	Paul Young School of Molecular & Microbial Sciences, University of Queensland, QLD

NSAC Division 3 | General, Applied and Environmental Microbiology

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2008 Division Chair \| Dr Enzo Palombo Faculty of Life & Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn VIC
Monday 7 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| Corryong Room 3, Level 2
Eukaryotic Models for Molecular Cell Biology
Session Chair: Professor Paul Fischer Department of Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora VIC
Aspergillus nidulans	Professor Michael Hynes Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC
Saccharomyces cerevisiae	Associate Professor Trevor Lithgow Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC
Dictyostelium discoideum - Microbial Model for Mitochondrial and Neurological Disease	Professor Paul Fisher Department of Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora VIC

[SESSION MOVED FROM 1.30PM TIMESLOT] Monday 7 July 2008 \| 4.00pm - 5.30pm \| Corryong Room 3, Level 2
Natural Products as Antimicrobials
Session Chair: Dr Enzo Palombo Faculty of Life & Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology VIC
Profiling of Marine Natural Product Extracts by LC-NMR	Dr Sylvia Urban School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC
Australian Essential Oils: Potential as Antimicrobials	Dr Jenny Wilkinson School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW
Antimicrobials from Australian Traditional Plants	Jacqui McRae Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn VIC

[SESSION MOVED FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON] Wednesday 9 July 2008 \| 10.30am - 12.00pm \| Corryong Room 4, Level 2
Marine Microbiology
Session Chair: Associate Professor Elena Ivanova Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn VIC
Bioinformatics of Microbial Identifications, Metagenomes and Biodiversity Analyses	Professor Richard Christen Institute of Signaling, Developmental Biology and Cancer Centre de Biochimie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France
Actin-Like Cytoskeleton of Marine Bacteria	Dr Vlado Buljan Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, NSW
Attachment Behaviour of Marine Bacteria	Associate Professor Elena Ivanova Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn VIC

Tuesday 8 July 2008 \| 10.30am - 12.00pm \| Corryong Rooms 1+2, Level 2
Biofilms in Medical Devices
Session Chair: Dr Alan Heritage Cochlear Ltd, Lane Cove NSW
Roles of Extracellular DNA in Medical Biofilms	Dr Lynne Turnbull Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases, University of Technology Sydney NSW
Signal Mediated Control of Biofilms on Biomaterials	Dr Scott Rice School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science Centre for Marine Biofouling and Bio-Innovation University of New South Wales, NSW
Adaptations to the Sessile Lifestyle: Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analyses of Oral Bacterial Biofilms	Stuart Dashper Co-operative Research Centre for Oral Health Science, School of Dental Science, University of Melbourne, Parville VIC

Tuesday 8 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| Corryong Rooms 1+2, Level 2
Essential Issues in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Session Chair: Dr Paul Priscott AMS Laboratories, Rockdale, NSW
Microbiology Media – The Harmonisation of the US and European Pharmacopeia	Colin Booth Vice President Science and Technology, Oxoid, UK
Presentation title tbc	Dr Paul Priscott AMS Laboratories, Rockdale, NSW
Presentation title tbc	3rd speaker from TGA tbc

Wednesday 9 July 2008 \| 10.30am - 12.00pm \| Corryong Rooms 1+2, Level 2
Food Borne Pathogens
Session Chair: Dr Narelle Fegan Microbiology & Production Hygiene, Food Science Australia, QLD
Salmonella, Salads & Stress: Strategies for the Success of a Microbial Pathogen	Professor Jay Hinton Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, UK
Presentation title tbc	Dr Thea King Food Science Australia, Cannon Hill QLD
Presentation title tbc	Professor John Bowman School of Agricultural Science, University of Tasmania TAS

Wednesday 9 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| Corryong Room 4, Level 2
Microbial Ecology
Session Chair: Professor John Bowman School of Agricultural Science, University of Tasmania TAS
Presentation title tbc	Professor Linda Blackall Advanced Wastewater Management Centre, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD
Presentation title tbc	Dr Andrew Holmes School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, University of Sydney, NSW
Presentation title tbc	Dr Nicole Webster Australian Institute of Marine Science, QLD

Wednesday 9 July 2008 \| 1.30pm - 3.00pm \| Corryong Room 5, Level 2
Quality Assurance of Culture Media