From Molecules to Community Impact: Translating Molecular Research into Clinical Applications to Control Scabies

Scabies is one of the most common infectious skin disorders worldwide, particularly among children and in tropical regions. In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of remote Northern Australia scabies prevalence is high and extreme rates of scabies-associated streptococcal and staphylococcal infections cause a significant public health burden. There is no scabies vaccine, only few broad-spectrum anti-parasitic drugs and no rapid molecular diagnostic test. Basic scabies biomedical research will drive the development of new diagnostics and therapeutics, to improve surveillance and management of this highly contagious disease. Central to realising this vision is an understanding of mite biology, scabies pathogenesis and the mechanisms underlying the three-way interactions of mites, bacteria and skin immunity. We collaborate with experts in genomics, bioinformatics, enzymology, dermatology and drug discovery, and have established long-term links with clinicians, Aboriginal health professionals, Aboriginal communities and industry partners to design and discover novel strategies that will reduce the scabies burden.

Bio: Associate Professor Katja Fischer is Senior Group Leader of the Scabies Laboratory at QIMR Berghofer. She trained in parasitology at the University of Freiburg and obtained her PhD in molecular biology of malaria parasites from the University of Würzburg, Germany, before undertaking postdoctoral research at QIMR. She was appointed Laboratory Head in 2007 and Group Leader in 2013. Her laboratory is leading biomedical research into scabies worldwide, delivering pivotal biomedical insights and translational advances to reduce the burden of scabies and its serious bacterial complications.