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University of Otago microbiologist Prof Gregory Cook works in his university laboratory. Photo by Jane Dawber. |
University of Otago microbiologist Prof Gregory Cook has been
awarded a prestigious James Cook Research Fellowship to
pursue research linked to a powerful new way to combat
tuberculosis.
He will also investigate novel ways to reduce the production
by sheep and cattle of the greenhouse gas methane.
It was "really exciting" to gain the fellowship, which is
administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand on behalf of
the Government, he said.
"I'm really happy to be able to get back to the [laboratory]
bench." The full-time fellowships are awarded to researchers
who demonstrate they have achieved national and international
recognition in their area of scientific research.
The two-year fellowships start early next year and provide
$110,000 per year to each recipient, covering salary and
expenses. This allows the fellows to focus almost completely
on their research, rather than their usual teaching or other
administrative duties.
A major focus of Prof Cook's research is a membrane-bound
enzyme known as F1Fo-ATP synthase, which is responsible for
the generation of ATP, the energy source of every living
cell, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes
tuberculosis.
Researchers at Johnson and Johnson in Belgium had developed a
promising new drug, now undergoing clinical trials, which
attacks the bacterium via this enzyme.
Tb kills two million people a year, largely in developing
countries, and there are 10 million new cases every year.
New Zealand was not immune to Tb concerns, with nine cases of
multi-drug-resistant Tb reported in 2009, all involving
arrivals from abroad, he said.
The world faced a growing problem with the development of
multi-drug resistant strains of the bacterium, and some cases
of extreme drug resistance.
Many traditional antibiotics targeted the bacterial cell
wall, but the new anti-Tb medication used "a totally
different target", he said.
Prof Cook and fellow researchers in the Otago microbiology
and immunology department had been studying the ATP enzyme
for about 10 years.
He wanted to fully clarify its structure he said.
A Cook fellowship in engineering science was awarded this
week to Prof Rick Millane (University of Canterbury), with
Prof Marston Conder (Auckland University) and Prof Matt
Visser (Victoria University of Wellington) gaining
fellowships in physical sciences.
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