There has been low level endemicity of Buruli ulcer (BU) - infection of subcutaneous tissue with Mycobacterium ulcerans - in some rural regions of Australia for decades. However, in the 1990s BU epidemiology changed and case numbers began to increase and occur around the major metropolitan city of Melbourne and the regional centre of Geelong in the state of Victoria, in southeast Australia. BU has been a notifiable disease in Victoria since 2004 and there has been on average 350 confirmed BU cases per year since 2017. Our research consortium has been attempting to address the key question of how BU is spreading from the environment to humans. We have made some important discoveries that implicate native possums as major wildlife reservoirs of the pathogen and mosquitoes as vectors. These findings have led to the first evidence-based opportunities to intervene in the transmission of BU.
Professor Tim Stinear is an NHMRC Leadership Fellow (L3) and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne, where he serves as Deputy Head of Department and Co-Lead of the Centre for Pathogen Genomics. He is an internationally recognised leader in pathogen genomics, with >315 publications. His research has transformed understanding and control of infectious diseases, including resolving the transmission of Buruli ulcer, developing WHO-endorsed diagnostics and treatment frameworks, and advancing genomic surveillance of antimicrobial resistance. He has secured >$30M in competitive funding, leads major interdisciplinary and translational programs, and contributes to global health policy through roles including Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Mycobacterium ulcerans.
Chair: Professor Dr. Sascha Knauf
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Access to the Kolleg’s virtual lecture
Organisational notes
The Alfried Krupp Wissenschaftskolleg is offering this event exclusively as a live Zoom meeting, during which participants can contribute in writing via the chat function.
- We would be grateful if you could use your real name when joining the Zoom meeting. Of course, you are also welcome to take part in the event using a pseudonym.
- A list of all participants will be visible to everyone throughout the event.
- During the lecture, all audience members’ microphones will be automatically muted to prevent disruptive background noise. You are welcome to switch on your camera during the lecture.
- Throughout the event, requests to speak or questions can be submitted in writing via the chat function.
Recording
The event will be recorded for use in the College’s media library. In the recording, only the speaker, their presentation and the moderator will be visible or audible. Chat messages will not be recorded. A ‘REC’ symbol at the edge of the screen will inform participants. As soon as all participants have consented to the recording and all rights of use have been secured, the recording will also be available in the media library.