Dr Vern Bowles has devoted a significant proportion of his research career to studying the role of ectoparasite proteases in parasite infections, parasite nutrition and immune evasion. Through this work, he has demonstrated that certain proteases including metalloproteases are involved in egg hatching and survival in some parasitic insect pests and that specific compounds are able to disrupt these proteases and thereby stop the eggs from hatching.
The potential commercial applications are diverse, covering both human healthcare as well as agricultural and veterinary fields.
With support from the University of Melbourne via Uniseed, Vern established Hatchtech Pty. Ltd. to commercialise his discoveries. The company's lead product is a single application head lice control agent. In 2015, Hatchtech signed an agreement with integrated pharmaceutical company Dr Reddy’s Laboratories to commercialise this product. More recently Vern's interests have turned back to the sheep blowfly where is working on understanding the nature of the immune responses occurring at the site of parasite invasion on the skin. In addition the research team are investigating the molecular changes taking place in the larvae in the time around wound initiation with the view to identifying potential vaccine candidates.
Find out more about Vern Bowles' experience
Vern Bowles' highlights
FEATURED Journal article
Effect of a New Head Lice Treatment, Abametapir Lotion, 0.74%, on Louse Eggs: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study.
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Projects
Displaying the 4 most recent projects by Vern Bowles.
Project Types
3
Research Contracts
1
Research Grant
Scholarly Works
Displaying the 39 most recent scholarly works by Vern Bowles.
Credentials
Positions
Associate Professor (Prod Animal Health & Mgmt)
Veterinary Biosciences
Graduate Of The Australian Institute Of Company Directors
The Australian Institute of Company Directors
Ordinary
The Australian Society for Parasitology
Education
Doctor of Philosophy
La Trobe University
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
La Trobe University
Doctor or Philosophy
La Trobe University