Modelling disease resistance

Biologists are one step closer to understanding precisely how plants respond to and resist disease infection with the recent production of a three-dimensional model of an important component of a plant disease resistance protein.

Science for tomorrow: developments

Four stories on CSIRO and Flagship research on livestock, grains and animal disease outbreaks extracted from Farming Ahead. (1 page)

Bats natural hosts of SARS virus

Collaborative research involving scientists in Australia, China and the US concludes, in a paper published in Science, that bats are highly likely to be the natural host of the virus responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

CSIRO explores avian influenza protection

This two-page information sheet details how CSIRO is investigating gene silencing as a way to stop the spread of avian influenza.

Protecting Tasmania’s salmon industry (Podcast 16 Aug 2007)

Tasmania is renowned for its Atlantic salmon, but the fish are under attack from amoebic gill disease and in this podast Dr Mathew Cook, from CSIRO and the Food Futures Flagship, talks about a new a vaccine designed to boost the productivity of Tasmania’s  A$230 million a year Atlantic salmon industry. (4:53)

Scotch broom biocontrol agent: psyllid

A sap-sucking psyllid is being used in conjunction with other agents to help control Scotch broom in Australia.

Managing insect pests and weeds

CSIRO has a history of biological control successes against weeds and insect pests and our scientists are working on new control agents. CSIRO has a history of biological control successes and our scientists are using their expertise to find more natural enemies of introduced weeds and insect pests.

Avoiding the Deadman Zone information sheet

Download the latest research material on bushfire behaviour - with the latest measures to protect firefighters in a wind change. Download the latest research material on bushfire behaviour - with the latest measures to protect firefighters caught by a wind change.

Science for tomorrow: New developments

This article from Farming Ahead contains four stories on the effects of climate change and ‘sleeper’ weeds, developing gluten free beer, carbon sinks losing the battle and an enzyme to degrade the herbicide, atrazine. (1 page)

Mitigation of disease impact through modification of the host response

CSIRO’s Mitigation of disease impact through modification of the host response research aims to develop novel strategies and products to limit the spread of major animal diseases.

CSIRO scientists appointed to the Eminent Scientists Group of Biosecurity Australia

Two CSIRO scientists have been appointed to the Eminent Scientists Group  of Biosecurity Australia to enhance the scientific assessment and management of pest and disease risks associated with proposed agricultural imports.

Dr Axel Colling: validating diagnostic tests for exotic diseases

Dr Axel Colling is a veterinarian with expertise in validation of diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, quality control and quality assurance.

Australian ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) their biology and classification

This 288-page book includes a revision of all 57 current genera of Australian Coccinellidae, recognising 260 valid described species, and including some newly described genera and species.

Insects of stored products

An illustrated guide to the identification, biology and ecology of the major pests of stored products.

Dr Linfa Wang: identifying and characterising new animal viruses

Meet one of the scientists who identified bats as the natural host of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus.

Biosecurity in the new bioeconomy symposium booklet

This booklet provides information on speakers and topics from the Biosecurity in the new bioeconomy symposium, held on 19-21 November 2009 in Canberra, Australia. (24 pages)

Farming Ahead: CSIRO and related articles from 2010

Farming Ahead magazine regularly features CSIRO's research for the agricultural sector. This is a list of CSIRO articles published in the magazine throughout 2010.

Burning down the house (a trial by fire) (Podcast 03 May 2010)

CSIRO scientists have 'flame-tested' a steel-framed house near Mogo on the New South Wales south coast to see how the structure would stand up to realistic bushfire conditions. (4:49)

Recombinant antibodies

CSIRO has the capability to create recombinant antibody and peptide-based reagents for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Dr John Bingham: emergency animal disease expert

Dr John Bingham is a veterinary pathologist with expertise in zoonotic diseases – those that can pass from animals to people.

Mozzie protein alert to invading viruses

CSIRO scientists have discovered how mosquitoes develop viral immunity, potentially leading to improved vaccines, and other control measures, for mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue and West Nile.

CSIRO to rationalise its sites in WA

CSIRO has decided to close its Yalanbee Research Station, a 1 150 hectare property near Perth, which has traditionally supported the work of livestock industry scientists in Western Australia, but is now significantly underutilised.

AustralianNationalInsectCollection Ento Teaser

The Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) is the pre-eminent collection of our insects including mites, spiders, worms and centipedes, and is an invaluable resource maintained by CSIRO.

Bogong moths

Bogong moths have migrated from their breeding areas to the mountains every spring for thousands of years.

Predicting catchment water levels after bushfires

CSIRO uses remote sensing technology to accurately predict the long-term impact of bushfires on water yield from major catchments.