Associate Professor Erin Price is a microbiologist, molecular geneticist, and co-lead of the Pathogen-Omics lab team at UniSC. The Pathogen-Omics team investigates the transmission, antibiotic resistance potential, prevalence, and evolution of bacterial pathogens affecting humans, with a focus on pathogens associated with chronic respiratory diseases. Associate Professor Price has a keen interest in applying microbial genomics and transcriptomics to better understand, diagnose, and treat infectious diseases. She has extensive experience using comparative genomics to develop inexpensive, sensitive, and accurate real-time PCR diagnostic assays to target important microbes and their antimicrobial resistance potential.
Her current studies include using metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to characterise the airway microbiome of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with a view to improving the diagnosis and treatment of infections that drive disease, and identifying the causes of secondary bacterial/fungal pneumonia in COVID-19 patients (the CoViBac study) in collaboration with clinical partners at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. She has previously held post-doctoral research positions in Arizona and Darwin investigating the population biology, antimicrobial resistance, and evolution of high-threat bacterial pathogens.
Associate Professor Price has 13 years of experience investigating transmission, evolution, epidemiology, and antibiotic resistance in the melioidosis bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is estimated to kill as many people globally as measles. She is currently supervising a post-doctoral fellow, three PhD students, and two Honours students in the areas of microbial (meta)genomics, (meta)transcriptomics, antimicrobial resistance, and molecular diagnostics development.
Awards
- Fellow of the Australian Society for Microbiology (FASM), 2017
- Charles Darwin University Vice Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Performance in Research, 2016
- NHMRC Research Excellent Award, 2013
- QLD/NT Becton Dickinson Award, Australian Society for Microbiology, 2006
- Roche Molecular Diagnostic Award, Australian Society for Microbiology, 2004
Research grants
| Project name | Funding body |
|---|---|
| The Darwin Prospective Melioidosis Study: Years 27-31 | NHMRC, Host institution: Menzies School of Health Research |
| Whole genome sequencing to evaluate within-host diversity of Staphylococcus aureus | Pathology Queensland - Study, Education and Research Committee, Pathology Queensland - Study, Education and Research Committee |
| Using metagenomics to improve diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) lung infections | Wishlist-Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service’s Study, Education, Research Trust fund Research Grants |
| Next-generation diagnostics for chronic lung disease infections | Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Services |
Research affiliations
-
Sunshine Coast Health Institute (Cluster Leader, Infectious Diseases & Antimicrobial Resistance [ID&AMR])
-
Honorary Fellow, Menzies School of Health Research
Potential research projects for HDR and honours students
Please contact A/Prof Price if you are interested in joining the USC Pathogen-Omics team.
Research areas
- microbial (meta) genomics and (meta) transcriptomics
- respiratory infectious diseases (cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COVID-19, bronchiectasis)
- microbiology
- real-time PCR diagnostics
- antibiotic resistance
- bacterial pathogens
A/Prof Erin Price is a microbiologist and molecular geneticist whose research is improving the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic respiratory diseases.
In the news
New study to improve diagnosis and treatment of chronic lung disease
23 DecA UniSC research team has received a prestigious $921,000 national grant for a $1.5 million project that aims to more effectively diagnose and treat infections associated with an incurable lung disease.