Howden laboratory: Molecular epidemiology, genomics and pathogenesis of antimicrobial resistant bacteria
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Head of Laboratory | Director of MDU
Professor Ben Howden+61 3 8344 0207
Research Overview
The Howden Laboratory, located in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity is closely affiliated with the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory (MDU PHL). Professor Howden is an Infectious Diseases Physician and Medical Microbiologist who is Director of the MDU PHL and Head of the Research Laboratory.
The Howden Laboratory works in close collaboration with the Stinear Laboratory, and has close links with the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Units at Austin Hospital.
Our research uses genomics, molecular biology, epidemiology and clinical studies to addresses a broad range of issues related to invasive bacterial diseases in humans, especially those caused by staphylococci, enterococci and other antimicrobial-resistant species. Additionally, working closely with scientists in the MDU PHL, we investigate the evolution, epidemiology and spread of bacterial pathogens of public health significance such as Neisseria gonorrhoea, Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella and Salmonella spp. and Legionella spp.
Useful Links
The Australian Society for Antimicrobials has an important role in addressing antimicrobial resistance in our region.
The Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AGAR), performs surveillance studies of antibiotic resistance in Australia.
The Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory (MDU PHL), is a leading public health laboratory in Australia, funded by the Department of Health, Victoria.
Staff
Dr Sarah Baines, Research Officer
Dr Glen Carter, Senior Research Officer
Dr Angeline Ferdinand, Research Fellow
Dr Stefano Giulieri, PhD Graduate Researcher
Dr Claire Gorrie, Research Fellow
Dr Romain Guerillot, Research Officer
Ashleigh Hayes, Research Assistant
Charlie Higgs, PhD Graduate Researcher
Dr Danielle Ingle, Research Fellow
Dr Jean Lee, Research Assistant
Lucy Li, Research Assistant
Joseph Nartey, MSc Graduate Researcher
Talia Oates, MSc Graduate Researcher
Olivia Smibert, PhD Graduate Researcher
Emily Sotheran, PhD Graduate Researcher
Adrianna Turner, PhD Graduate Researcher
Sara Zufan, PhD Graduate Researcher
Collaborators
A/Prof Torsten Seemann, Victorian Bioinformatics Consortium, Monash University
Dr Geoff Coombs, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Perth Hospital
Dr Patrice Francois, Genomic Reseach Laboratory, University of Geneva Hospitals, Switzerland
Professor Jacques Schrenzel, Genomic Research Laboratory, University of Geneva Hospitals, Switzerland
Dr Kathryn Holt, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne
Associate Professor David Whiley, Australian infectious Diseases Research Centre, Queensland
Professor Christopher Fairley, Professor of Sexual Health & Director, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Victoria
Professor Catherine Bennett, School of Health & Social Development, Deakin University
Professor Michael Yeaman, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA