Professor Ben Adler

Ben Adler
Professor of Microbiology

Contact details:

Building 76, Level 2, Room 212
Telephone: +61 (0)3 9902 9177
Facsimile: +61 (3) 9902 9222
Email: ben.adler@monash.edu

PA:
Ms Sherrie Barker
Building 76, Level 1, Room 114
Telephone:  +61 (0) 3 9902 9138
Email:  sherrie.barker@monash.edu

Career

I completed a BSc in microbiology and biochemistry at Monash University. Then after periods with the National Health Institute, New Zealand and as a Research Assistant with the National Health & Medical Research Council I completed a PhD at Monash on antigens and pathogenesis of Leptospira. After 3 years as an NH&MRC Senior Research Officer I was appointed as Lecturer in Microbiology and then subsequently as Senior Lecturer and Reader before accepting a personal chair in Microbiology at Monash..

In the mid 1980s I also managed to complete a BA degree in Japanese and I reckon I can hold my own in conversation in more than eight languages and ask for a beer in at least ten more!  Mind you, this has probably been helped by my background which contains some Romanian, Slovakian and German as well as others I don't know about!  Language ability has also been of assistance in pursuing my interests of science, travel, and enjoyment of good food, red wine and Guinness. Along the way I've worked as a Visiting Scientist at the Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan, at the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands and at the Institute for Public Health and Environment, The Netherlands. My current research interests focus on molecular approaches to vaccine development and to understanding pathogenesis and immunity in bacterial infections. Since 1986 I've been a member of the Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Leptospira of the IUMS and am currently Adjunct Secretary of The International Leptospirosis Society.

Since 2005 I've been Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics.

Research Projects

Molecular basis for pathogenesis in leptospirosis

Shadowed electron micrograph of Leptospira	Epidemiology of leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of worldwide significance caused by infection with serovars of the genus Leptospira. Work involves the detailed analysis of leptospiral antigens, especially those with potential roles in immunity and vaccine development. A second approach involves mutagenesis of leptospiral genes to identify and characterise leptospiral proteins with roles in pathogenesis and immunity to infection.

The Monash University Leptospira Laboratory also performs a diagnostic function for human leptospirosis.

The International Leptospirosis Society home page provides further information and useful links on leptospirosis.

Research staff: Dr Gerald Murray, Dr Renee Marciscin (NHMRC), Dr Thanatchaporn Bartpho (Khon Kaen University, Thailand)

Postgraduate students:  Deanna Deveson, Kunkun Zhang, Amy King

Collaborating institutes:

Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Institut Pasteur, Paris, France

Institut Pasteur, Noumea, New Caledonia

Yale University, New Haven, USA

Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Brazil

University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan

University of California and Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, USA

Pathogenesis and immunity in fowl cholera

Thin section electron micrograph of Pasteurella showing extracellular capsule

Pasteurella multocida is the causative agent of fowl cholera, bovine haemorrhagic septicaemia, and porcine atrophic rhinitis. Genetic loci involved in virulence are being identified and analysed by cloning, mutagenesis, sequencing etc in order to determine their roles in pathogenesis at the molecular level. There is a particular focus on in vivo expressed genes; we have established genetic systems to detect these genes. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies are used to characterise antigens and to assess their roles in immunity. Genes encoding membrane proteins and the synthesis of LPS and of surface polysaccharide capsule are being characterised. In addition, genetically manipulated mutants are being assessed for their potential as live, attenuated vaccines.

Research staff: Dr Marina Harper (ARC), Dr Xenia Gatsos (ARC), Ms Marietta John (ARC)

Collaborating institutes:

University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

CSIRO Livestock Industries, Geelong, Australia

Institute for Biological Sciences, Ottawa, Canada

Pathogenesis and immunity in meliodosis

Antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii

For information on these projects, please refer to the web pages of my colleague Dr John Boyce

A complete list of publications on Leptospira, Pasteurella, Shigella or others.