Maximise yield or minimise risk in the Blacklip Abalone fishery: using biological data to direct harvest strategies
SCRC: RTG: Visit to Dr Maria DeRosa, Carlton University, Canada laboratory
Final report
A major focus of Seafood CRC funded project (2011/726: Wanted Dead or Alive - Novel Technologies for Measuring Infectious Norovirus Particles) is the development of sensitive biosensors for the detection and discrimination of infective human norovirus (NoV). A critical step in achieving this is the biological functionalisation of the sensor platform.
Dr Torok spent two weeks during 2014 in the laboratory of Dr Maria DeRosa undertaking experiments to generate specific bioreceptors (aptamers) for human norovirus (NoV). The De Rosa Laboratory is actively involved in the development of biosensors and ‘smart’ materials based on DNA aptamers. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides that fold into distinct three-dimensional conformations, capable of binding strongly and selectively to a target molecule and have several advantages over antibody based approaches. The DeRosa group is developing aptamers to various targets including neurotransmitters, viruses, disease biomarkers and toxins, as well as utilising these in the development of electrochemical and optical biosensors.
Australia – New Zealand World Fisheries Congress 2020 development
The World Fisheries Congress (WFC) is the key international fisheries conference held every 4 years to advance and promote international developments and cooperation in fisheries science, conservation and management. This includes encouraging sustainable management practices, inspiring excellence in fisheries research, and promoting the beneficial use of fishery resources. There is strong cross-jurisdictional agreement to bid for the 8th WFC to be held in Australia in 2020. An Australia-New Zealand bid team has been established and the Australian Society for Fish Biology and jurisdictions have agreed to support Adelaide as the host city. Hosting WFC 2020 will enable the strength and reputation of Australia-New Zealand in fisheries science and management to be showcased internationally, while domestically demonstrating the sustainability of our fisheries to the broader community.