Marsupial cathelicidins: characterization, antimicrobial activity and evolution in this unique mammalian lineage

Type: Journal Article Reference: Peel Emma , Gonsalvez Adele , Hogg Carolyn J. , Belov Katherine. 2025. Marsupial cathelicidins: characterization, antimicrobial activity and evolution in this unique mammalian lineage. Frontiers in Immunology, 16 – 2025. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1524092 Abstract Introduction: Cathelicidins are a family of antimicrobial peptides well-known for their antimicrobial and Continue Reading

Temporal Loss of Genome-Wide and Immunogenetic Diversity in a Near-Extinct Parrot

Type: Journal article Reference: Silver LW, Farquharson KA, Peel E, Gilbert MTP, Belov K, Morales HE, Hogg CJ. Temporal Loss of Genome-Wide and Immunogenetic Diversity in a Near-Extinct Parrot. Mol Ecol. 2025 Mar 25:e17746. doi: 10.1111/mec.17746. Abstract Loss of genetic diversity threatens a species’ adaptive potential and long-term resilience. Predicted Continue Reading

AMPed Up Immunity: 418 Whole Genomes Reveal Intraspecific Diversity of Koala Antimicrobial Peptides

Type: Journal article Reference: Petrohilos C, Peel E, Silver LW, Belov K, Hogg CJ. AMPed up immunity: 418 whole genomes reveal intraspecific diversity of koala antimicrobial peptides. Immunogenetics. 2025 Jan 8;77(1):11. doi: 10.1007/s00251-024-01368-2. Abstract Characterising functional diversity is a vital element to understanding a species’ immune function, yet many immunogenetic Continue Reading

Bioactive components in the marsupial pouch and milk

Type: Journal article Reference: Jayamanna Mohottige MW, Gardner CE, Nye-Wood MG, Farquharson KA, Juhász A, Belov K, Hogg CJ, Peel E, Colgrave ML. Bioactive components in the marsupial pouch and milk. Nutr Res Rev. 2024 Nov 18:1-12. doi: 10.1017/S0954422424000313. Abstract Marsupials give birth to immunologically naïve young after a relatively Continue Reading

Extant and extinct bilby genomes combined with Indigenous knowledge improve conservation of a unique Australian marsupial

Type: Journal article Reference: Hogg, C.J., Edwards, R.J., Farquharson, K.A. et al. Extant and extinct bilby genomes combined with Indigenous knowledge improve conservation of a unique Australian marsupial. Nat Ecol Evol 8, 1311–1326 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02436-2 Abstract Ninu (greater bilby, Macrotis lagotis) are desert-dwelling, culturally and ecologically important marsupials. In collaboration Continue Reading

Characterisation of defensins across the marsupial family tree

Type: Journal Article Reference: Peel, E., Hogg, C. and Belov, K., 2024. Characterisation of defensins across the marsupial family tree. Developmental & Comparative Immunology, p.105207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2024.105207 Abstract Defensins are antimicrobial peptides involved in innate immunity, and gene number differs amongst eutherian mammals. Few studies have investigated defensins in marsupials, despite Continue Reading

Multi-omics resources for the Australian stuttering frog (Mixophyes balbus) reveal assorted antimicrobial peptides

Type: Journal Article Reference: Tang, S., Peel, E., Belov, K., Hogg, C. J., & Farquharson, K. A. (2024). Multi-omics resources for the Australian southern stuttering frog (Mixophyes australis) reveal assorted antimicrobial peptides. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 3991. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54522-x Abstract The number of genome-level resources for non-model species continues to rapidly expand. Continue Reading

Emma Peel

Peel, E. J. (2018). Peptides from the Pouch: Marsupial and Monotreme Cathelicidins. The University of Sydney. The rise in antimicrobial resistance and paucity of new antimicrobial compounds calls for alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as potential candidates. Cathelicidins are a major family of AMPs in mammals Continue Reading

The Sydney Morning Herold: Devil’s milk could be the killer ingredient in war on superbugs

PhD candidate Emma Peel from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences was interviewed about new research that has proved Tasmanian Devil’s milk can kill some of the most deadly bacterial and fungal infections Read the full article here: https://www.smh.com.au/technology/devils-milk-could-be-the-killer-ingredient-in-war-on-superbugs-20161014-gs29l5.html