An ancient mechanism of the immune system may hold the key to controlling pesky parasites in the livestock industries.

CSIRO Livestock Industries' Dr Tim Doran, a winner of the AFFA Science Award for Young People 2001, says a biological technique that allows important genes be targeted and switched off has huge potential for wiping out parasites.

"There are very few effective vaccines against parasites and chemical treatments now in use are losing their effectiveness as the parasites build up resistance," says Dr Doran.

The technique uses an ancient immune response that recognises and shuts down the genes of invading RNA viruses. In a process called RNA interference, scientists have learned how to use the immune response to turn off targeted genes in an organism, such as a parasite.

"Many papers about RNA interference have noted the incredible possibilities for therapies, including control of parasites, but nobody has really looked yet to see if it can work for livestock parasites," he says.

As a result of the AFFA Science Award, Dr Doran will be funded to investigate if the approach works in coccidiosis, a parasitic disease of chickens estimated to cost the industry world-wide over US$400 million each year to control.

"We are hoping to shut down the gene of the parasite which helps it to invade the cells of its host. This would prevent the parasite from doing any damage," says Dr Doran.

Dr Doran says CSIRO Livestock Industries already has experience in researching coccidiosis.

"We know which parasite genes are important in causing disease, and how the RNA could be delivered into chickens or livestock," he says.

If the project is successful, the approach could be applied to other livestock or even human parasites. In June, CSIRO Plant Industry researchers announced that they had used RNA interference to effectively vaccinate crop plants from disease.

The inaugural AFFA Science Awards for Young People are for innovative science projects related to an agriculture, fisheries, food or forestry industry that will benefit the long-term future of the industries identified.

The awards were open to people aged between 18 and 35 years and working, employed or studying in an agricultural, fisheries, food or forestry related industry.

Four of the fifteen winners are CSIRO employees. Media releases on the other CSIRO winners are also available.

A list of project descriptions for all the winners is available at www.affa.gov.au/youth_science_awards, and more information on the luncheon, is available from Sonia Fedorow, BRS, on phone 02 6272 4271 or mobile 0411 241 460.

A 'Meet the Winners' luncheon will be held Friday, 28 September 2001 in Canberra at the Bistro Marquee at Floriade, Canberra, from 11 am, and is open to the media.

The award winners will be available for interview at the luncheon. To arrange an interview on Thursday or Friday, please contact Dr Doran via Bianca Nogrady on 02 6276 6152 or 0411 420 913. 

For an interview after Friday contact:

Dr Tim Doran or Emma Homes, CSIRO Livestock Industries 03 5227 5123

To view Dr Doran's resume, please click here.