Jessica Rooke

Dr. Jessica Rooke is a Research Officer at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), University of Queensland. She holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham. Her research focuses on bacterial pathogenesis, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic determinants of bacterial virulence, utilizing transposon mutagenesis and functional genomics. Key areas include Salmonella, Klebsiella, and Escherichia coli pathogenesis, with emphasis on cell envelope integrity, secretion systems, and host-pathogen interactions.

Education: Doctor of Philosophy (University of Birmingham).

Research Interests:

• Genetic basis of bacterial survival in host environments
• Development of novel antimicrobial strategies
• Mechanisms of bacterial adaptation to environmental stresses
• Vaccine target identification via secretion system antigens

Publications highlight her work on Salmonella iron restriction mechanisms, Klebsiella growth determinants in human fluids, and E. coli cell envelope synthesis. Her recent studies (2024) emphasize translational applications of genomic data for combating antimicrobial resistance.

Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the text.

Supervision: Available to supervise PhD candidates. Current project: 'Identifying new targets for treatment of antimicrobial resistant infections' (Associate Advisor). Completed project: 'The Role of PlpD in the Virulence of P. aeruginosa' (Associate Advisor).

Funding: ARC Discovery Projects grant (2023-2026) for 'Defining the molecular basis for Salmonella persistence'.