A/Prof Aaron Jex, Lab Head | WEHI Researcher Profile

Q: Parasite drug development, resistance and stress responses

In this project stream, we use advanced sequencing and bioinformatics to understand how parasites respond to drugs at the molecular level and how these responses differ from those to heat, oxidative and other non-drug induced forms of stress.We explore how these behaviours change as parasites (primarily Giardia duodenalis) develop drug resistance. The aim is to understand mechanisms of resistance to major antiparasitic drugs and, more generally, to identify general drug-induced responses that facilitate the development of drug resistance.Ultimately, we use this information to guide efforts to develop new antiparasitic compounds.

Q: Parasite invasion, development and immune evasion

We use genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and epigenetic methods to explore the molecular biology underpinning parasite invasion of a new host, development within that host, and the methods by which the parasite interacts with and seeks to thwart the host immune attack against it.This research project focuses primarily on human gastrointestinal helminthes, diarrhoeal pathogens (Giardia and Cryptosporidium) and relapsing malaria parasites (Plasmodium vivax).

Q: Diagnostic tools for gastrointestinal and aquatic microorganisms

This project stream focuses on the development and utilisation of molecular (primarily PCR-based) diagnostic tools for the rapid and specific identification and quantitation of gastrointestinal pathogens (helminths and diarrhoeal parasites) and select aquatic microorganisms (specific toxigenic and/or taste/odor compound producing cyanobacteria).Within this research stream, we partner with the local Victorian water industry to test drinking, recreational and recycled water supplies for cyanobacteria that may reduce water quality or present a risk to the public or local wildlife.

Q: Exploring gastrointestinal parasite impacts and epidemiology

This project stream is aimed at exploring and quantifying the importance of neglected gastrointestinal parasites in people in resource poor settings.The current focus of this research is on evaluating the impact of gastrointestinal parasites on childhood health and development in Karen populations in refugee communities in northwest Thailand (Tha Song Yang region).We will use PCR-based tools and microbiomic sequencing to support efforts to quantify the impact of gastrointestinal parasites in child health in the region. These will also assist in monitoring the effectiveness of a newly established childhood health intervention program aimed at controlling gastrointestinal infections and improving child health.

About

My team has two major parallel interests: fundamental parasite biology and advanced parasite diagnostics and epidemiology.

On the fundamental side, we use advanced sequencing technologies and bioinformatics to explore the genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics of major human parasites, including soil transmitted helminthes and major diarrhoeal pathogens (Giardia and Cryptosporidium).

We are particularly interested in:

Hosts and parasites interaction at the immunological level
Parasite development in their host
Parasite resistance to common antiparasitic drugs
On the applied side, we develop quantitative real-time PCR assays to test for major parasites and other pathogens/microorganisms of relevance to the local water industry (for example Cryptosporidium and toxigenic cyanobacteria) and/or of relevance to global health (for example human gastrointestinal parasites).

We use these tools to assess transmission risk and to explore parasite epidemiology in developed and resource poor settings.

Education

Publications

Selected publications from A/Prof Aaron Jex

Jex A, John N, McCarthy D, Myers S, Begue N, Schang C, Usher SP, Baker L, Kaucner C, Monis P, Hartman LM, Flynn B, Merrett JE, Lister D, Herold M, Kueh A, Cheng NN, Nolan J, Caly L, Druce J, Thorley B, Scales PJ, Schmidt J, Sarkis S, Crosbie ND, Poon R, Nolan M. Multi-tiered strategy for large-scale wastewater detection of SARS-CoV-2 in low-case settings provides confidence for public health actions. Journal of Water and Health. 2025;23(2):10.2166/wh.2025.164

Nelli F, Ge Z, Blackall L, Taheriashtiani N, Henry R, Brumley DR, Grace M, Jex A, Burch M, Lin T-F, Bertelkamp C, Willis A, Gao L, Schmidt J, Crosbie ND, Zamyadi A. Machine learning driven image segmentation and shape clustering of algal microscopic images obtained from various water types. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Reports. 2024;1:10.1016/j.csbr.2024.100014

Baldi A, Braat S, Hasan MI, Bennett C, Barrios M, Jones N, Abdul Azeez I, Wilcox S, Roy PK, Bhuiyan MSA, Ataide R, Clucas D, Larson LM, Hamadani J, Zimmermann M, Bowden R, Jex A, Biggs B-A, Pasricha S-R. Effects of iron supplements and iron-containing micronutrient powders on the gut microbiome in Bangladeshi infants: a randomized controlled trial. Nature Communications. 2024;15(1):10.1038/s41467-024-53013-x

Merrett JE, Nolan M, Hartman L, John N, Flynn B, Baker L, Schang C, McCarthy D, Lister D, Cheng NN, Crosbie N, Poon R, Jex A. Highly sensitive wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants by targeted next-generation amplicon sequencing provides early warning of incursion in Victoria, Australia. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2024;90(8):10.1128/aem.01497-23

Baldi A, Braat S, Imrul Hasan M, Bennett C, Barrios M, Jones N, Moir-Meyer G, Abdul Azeez I, Wilcox S, Saiful Alam Bhuiyan M, Ataide R, Clucas D, Harrison LC, Arifeen SE, Bowden R, Biggs B-A, Jex A, Pasricha S-R. Community use of oral antibiotics transiently reprofiles the intestinal microbiome in young Bangladeshi children. Nature Communications. 2024;15(1):10.1038/s41467-024-51326-5

Woodhouse JN, Burford MA, Neilan BA, Jex A, Tichkule S, Sivonen K, Fewer DP, Grossart H-P, Willis A. Long-term stability of the genome structure of the cyanobacterium, Dolichospermum in a deep German lake. Harmful Algae. 2024;133:10.1016/j.hal.2024.102600

Donner E, Magalhães RJS, Barnes AC, Jex A, Jarocki V, Drigo B, Djordjevic S, Ashbolt NJ. Introducing CRC SAAFE: a new Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) focused on managing AMR in agriculture and the environment. Microbiology Australia. 2024;45(2):10.1071/ma24021

Ferguson AA, Inclan-Rico JM, Lu D, Bobardt SD, Hung L, Gouil Q, Baker L, Ritchie ME, Jex AR, Schwarz EM, Rossi HL, Nair MG, Dillman AR, Herbert DR. Hookworms dynamically respond to loss of Type 2 immune pressure. PLOS Pathogens. 2023;19(12):10.1371/journal.ppat.1011797

Floriano AM, Biffignandi GB, Castelli M, Olivieri E, Clementi E, Comandatore F, Rinaldi L, Opara M, Plantard O, Palomar AM, Noël V, Vijay A, Lo N, Makepeace BL, Duron O, Jex A, Guy L, Sassera D. The evolution of intramitochondriality in Midichloria bacteria. Environmental Microbiology. 2023;25(11):10.1111/1462-2920.16446

Borger JG, Ng AP, Anderton H, Ashdown GW, Auld M, Blewitt ME, Brown DV, Call MJ, Collins P, Freytag S, Harrison LC, Hesping E, Hoysted J, Johnston A, McInneny A, Tang P, Whitehead L, Jex A, Naik SH. Artificial intelligence takes center stage: exploring the capabilities and implications of ChatGPT and other AI‐assisted technologies in scientific research and education. Immunology and Cell Biology. 2023;101(10):10.1111/imcb.12689

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Lab research projects

Parasite drug development, resistance and stress responses

Parasite invasion, development and immune evasion

Diagnostic tools for gastrointestinal and aquatic microorganisms

Exploring gastrointestinal parasite impacts and epidemiology

A/Prof Aaron Jex

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