Research output per year
Research output per year
Research activity per year
Bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. A strong potential alternative is bacteriophages -"phages" -viruses that infect bacteria. In collaboration with US/Australian company AmpliPhi Biosciences, I am pursuing the use of phages as a treatment for bacterial infections in a number of important medical settings:
-chronic rhinosinusitis: a human trial of this technology has been completed in collaboration with ENT surgeons at local hospitals;
-diabetic foot ulcer infections
-development of surgical mesh wiht phages bound to it, to make a mesh that resists infection.
This work involves post-doctoral Research Associates Braira Wahid, Felise Adams and Lawrence Zang, and PhD student April Van Der Kamp.
As Secretary of AVS I have initiated and driven a push to bring this society together with other professional societies, such as the Australian Society for Microbiology, the Australian Society for Immunology, the Australian Society for Clinical Immunology and Alllergy, the Australasian Society for Antimicrobials, and the Australian Society for Infectious Diseases, on key issues of policy and public advocacy. Together this umbrella group represents over 5000 scientists and clinicians. This group has made numerous public statements and representations to government on matters such as antimicrobial policy and vaccination.
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
PhD, Pathogenesis of the Herpes Simplex Virus, University of Adelaide
… → 1993
Bachelor of Science (Honours), Genetics of Wheat and Rye, University of Adelaide
… → 1988
Bachelor of Science, University of Adelaide
1984 → 1987
Secretary, Australasian Virology Society
1 Jan 2012 → …
Chair, National Scientific Advisory Committee, Virology Division, Australian Society for Microbiology
2012 → 2014
Chair, Local Organizing Committee, Biennial Scientific Meeting, Australasian Virology Society
… → Dec 2017
Member, Local Organizing Committee, Biennial Scientific Meeting, Australasian Virology Society
… → Dec 2019
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review
Speck, P. (Author)
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation