Angus Watson
Research assistant
Working groups
Background
Angus is a research assistant in the Burnet Diagnostics Initiative (BDI). He is passionate about disease elimination, novel therapeutic treatments, and developing point of care tests. Angus has worked in the diagnostic sector for several years with infectious disease relating to both human (SARS CoV-2, Bacteroides sp., JEV), and animal health (FMD, LSD, BVD).
Angus’ MSc in the Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology (MAPP) at La Trobe University examined the immune mechanisms and susceptibility of Australian molluscs following viral challenge.
Qualifications
- 2023: MSc (Virology/Microbiology), La Trobe University, Australia
- 2022: Hons (Virology/Microbiology), La Trobe University, Australia
- 2021: BSc, La Trobe University, Australia
Positions
- 2024–current: Burnet Diagnostic Initiative – Burnet Institute
2023–2024: Zip Diagnostics
Awards
- 2022: La Trobe Higher Degree Research (HDR) Symposium Best Poster Runner-Up
- 2021: La Trobe R.D. Schnagl Award
- 2021: Australian Society for Parasitology Undergraduate Prize
- 2021: Australian Society of Microbiology (ASM) Microbial Art Prize
Publications
Watson A, Agius J, Ackerly D, Beddoe T, Helbig K. The Role of Anti-Viral Effector Molecules in Mollusc Hemolymph. 2022 Feb 23;12(3):345. doi: 10.3390/biom12030345. PMID: 35327536; PMCID: PMC8945852.
Watson A. Examining the Immune Mechanisms and Susceptibility of Abalone Following Viral Challenge. 2023 Jul 12. Thesis
Burnet publications
Reducing the impact of HaHV-1 in Australian abalone: the role of age and immune priming
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Angus C Watson
Supplementary Data. Effector Molecule Analysis.xlsx
Figshare
Angus C Watson
The Role of Anti-Viral Effector Molecules in Mollusc Hemolymph
Biomolecules
Angus C Watson
Current projects
Liver health screening test
A rapid point-of-care (POC) test for liver disease biomarkers could improve the management of acute and chronic liver disease and reduce the progression to liver cancer in Australia and globally.
Diagnosis of active syphilis
We're developing point-of-care diagnostics for active syphilis, aiming to transform syphilis management globally and contribute to World Health Organization goals.
Development of a novel antibody for treatment and prevention of respiratory disease
We’re developing a novel class of antibody and delivery technologies to provide enhanced protection and therapeutic performance for coronaviruses and other respiratory infections.