Prof. Travis Beddoe1, Mr Meysam Khodaparast1, Dr Dave Sharley2, Mr Stephen Marshall2
1La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia, 2Bio2Lab Pty Ltd, Greensborough, Australia
Biography:
Professor Travis Beddoe completed his undergraduate studies at La Trobe University and earned his PhD at the University of Melbourne. In 2002, he joined Monash University, where he became a part of the newly established Protein Crystallography Unit under the mentorship of Professor Jamie Rossjohn. There, he focused on investigating the structural and biophysical basis of immune receptor interactions and T-cell receptor signaling.
In 2008, Professor Beddoe established his independent laboratory, concentrating on the structural basis of host-pathogen interactions, with a particular emphasis on glycan specificity in bacterial pathogenesis and physiology. He later returned to La Trobe University to be a part of the new AgriBio Centre. At AgriBio, his lab aims to develop a comprehensive “Bench to Barn” research program to enhance animal health by focusing on three key areas: (1) field-deployable diagnostics using non-invasive sampling, (2) molecular understanding of disease pathogenesis, and (3) sustainable treatment solutions, including vaccines.
Abstract:
Freshwater ecosystems, rich in biodiversity, are increasingly threatened by human activities, including climate change, habitat degradation, water over-extraction, and pollution. The platypus, an iconic species in Australia's freshwater habitats, is particularly vulnerable to these pressures. Effective and cost-efficient monitoring tools are crucial for assessing the impact of these threats on platypus populations. We developed an optimised loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to rapidly and economically detect platypus DNA in environmental water samples, offering a promising alternative to quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We refined a water filtration protocol for field use, enabling the processing of large water volumes and enhancing DNA recovery from dilute samples. The Plat-LAMP assay achieved a detection limit of 12.4 copies/µL with a standard plasmid reference and 7 x 10⁻⁶ ng/µL with platypus tissue DNA, with sensitivity further improved by incorporating locked nucleic acid primers. Compared with qPCR, the Plat-LAMP assay demonstrated superior sensitivity in detecting platypus DNA from water samples at Healesville Sanctuary and showed 100% specificity in non-platypus habitats. Field tests in Victoria and New South Wales detected platypus DNA in 36.96% of samples using Plat-LAMP, compared to 54.35% with qPCR. These findings underscore the Plat-LAMP assay's potential as a faster, more cost-effective complement to qPCR, ideal for on-site water testing. The ability to conduct environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys without relying on cold-chain logistics could significantly aid conservation efforts, facilitating more efficient mapping of platypus distributions and supporting broader conservation initiatives across Australia.