2008: Virus watch

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Tags: research, summer-2011

Lucas Goh, Bachelor of Biotechnology

Lucas Goh

Lucas Goh is protecting Australia.

Not as a soldier or an employee with the Australian Federal Police, but as a researcher preventing a fatal mosquito-borne virus from reaching our shores.

Although similar to Dengue fever in symptoms, the new virus, known as Chikungunya virus, causes fever, rashes and joint pain that can last for years.

A newly mutated genotype has recently been reported to cause chronic arthritis, gastrointestinal and neurological complications, is able to be transmitted from mother to child, and has been associated with some deaths.

And like dengue, there is currently no treatment and no vaccine.

Mr Goh, originally from Singapore, is a PhD student undertaking research in the development and evaluation of diagnostic tools for Chikungunya virus. He is undertaking his doctorate under the supervision of Associate Professor Roy Hall.

“We are aiming to develop antibodies for use in a diagnostic kit to detect and identify Chikungunya virus,” Mr Goh said.

“This would allow us to potentially generate antibodies for immunotherapy.”

The Chikungunya virus is currently present in Europe, Asia, India, Africa and some parts of the United States, but is exotic to Australia.

“We are working on counter measures in order to prevent an incursion into the country as there is an abundance of competent mosquito vectors that are able to transmit the virus, which could cause an epidemic in Australia,” Mr Goh said.

“During my PhD at UQ, I have undoubtedly improved myself both as a person and as a young scientist.

“I am very confident that the strong network of influential scientists I am working with will push me to newer heights.”

Mr Goh attributes the challenges of research and the satisfaction of success as the main contributors to deciding to pursue a research higher degree (RHD) in science.

“I knew that undertaking a RHD at UQ would not only drastically improve my writing, presenting, interpretational and analytical skills, but also play a part in helping me become a mature adult,” he said.

“The outstanding learning and research supervision from my advisors has provided me with the utmost support and assistance any budding scientist could ask for.

“Plus, UQ’s teaching and research excellence makes it one of the best universities to study at.”

By Carly Dengate

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