Leading Australian scientists in the fields of animal and plant biosecurity will work more closely and have greater access to state-of-the-art facilities as a result of a new alliance between the University of Sydney and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

At Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, veterinary pathologists Dr Rod Reece and Dr Judith Morrison have been guiding University of Sydney final year student Peter Curl.

The NSW Centre for Animal and Plant Biosecurity will link complementary facilities and staff, and has a strong focus on developing and applying new technologies for diagnosis, surveillance, prevention and control of serious diseases and pests of animals and plants.

Research currently undertaken at three sites run by the two organisations focuses on protecting livestock, aquatic and plant industries from diseases and pests to safeguard the economy, environment and human health.

NSW Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, and University of Sydney Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Beryl Hesketh launched the Centre last week.

DPI Director of Health Sciences and Strategic Alliances, Ms Helen Scott-Orr, said the centre would build 'a unique national capability' and also support the next generation of students coming through the University of Sydney.

The three sites involved are:

• The Plant Breeding Institute at Cobbitty, which is part of the University’s Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (55 staff),
• The University’s Faculty of Veterinary Science (77 staffbased at Camden), and
• DPI’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute at Menangle (220 staff).

Ms Scott-Orr said there are tremendous gains to be made from the three locations being more closely linked.

'The University is planning to bring its plant and animal health diagnostic and research functions together in a new site at Camden.

'New capital investment at that site can complement what exists or is planned for EMAI.

'Collaborative projects will use infrastructure at whichever sites are appropriate.

'The three sites will also be linked by high speed broadband to the Greater Sydney IT network, ensuring speedy access to the specialised super computing,genomics and proteomics services so critical for advanced biotechnology.'

Key research areas for the Centre include animal diseases of importance to humans such as Avian Influenza and projects on food-borne pathogens such as E.coli and Salmonella.

Research into avian species includes surveillance of wild birds for Avian Influenza and West Nile Virus, ensuring domestic poultry are free from Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease,and rapid high-throughput diagnosis for disease screening.

In the pig industry, collaborative projects are underway to reduce antibiotic usage by integrated management of disease, to develop new vaccines and diagnostic tests, to detect and control new viral diseases of pigs and to investigate the real time effects of disease and genetics on pig growth and welfare.

Aquatic animal health, a research area regarded as seriously under-resourced, will include research into QX disease in Sydney rock oysters, keeping hatchery fish free from disease,and detection and control of Nodavirus in Australian Bass.

In the area of horticulture, researchers will monitor incursions of exotic pests and diseases such as fire blight (in apples and pears), papaya fruit fly (many hosts), citrus canker (citrus and some relatives) and black sigatoka (bananas).

They will also locally evaluate diagnostic protocols developed overseas against native micro-organisms, monitor insect vectors of viral diseases, and develop integrated pest management programs for major pests such as Western Flower Thrips.

- JOANNE FINLAY

This story appears in Agriculture Today.