Dr Subir Sarker ~ Senior Lecturer, Microbiology

 Dr. Subir Sarker is a recognised molecular virologist and microbiologist based at the Townsville campus of the College of Public Health, Medical, and Veterinary Sciences at James Cook University. His extensive research endeavors are centered around virology and microbiology, with a primary goal of enhancing the capacity to effectively manage the emergence of diseases. This pursuit is particularly critical for newly identified or emerging pathogens that frequently give rise to significant health challenges, economic ramifications, and escalating disease prevalence among both humans and animals.

Dr. Sarker's illustrious research journey spanning approximately eight years has been fortified by prestigious research fellowships that underscore his excellence. Notable among these are the Endeavour Research Fellowship, generously supported by the Australian Government's Department of Education and Training, and the Life Science Fellowship, graciously funded by La Trobe University. Additionally, his remarkable achievements earned him an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Fellowship. Prior to joining James Cook University, he achieved the position of Senior Research Fellow at La Trobe University in 2023.

Dr. Sarker's scientific portfolio is highlighted by his pioneering revelation on how single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) plays a critical role in viral assembly at an atomic, a groundbreaking insight unveiled from his research. This seminal work, published in Nature Communications, has laid the groundwork for a potential antiviral treatment or vaccine targeting a highly lethal viral infection in avian species. Furthermore, this discovery has been instrumental in securing several competitive grants, including the "ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award" and the "Threatened Species Recovery Fund."

In yet another pioneering feat, Dr. Sarker pioneered the exploration of crocodilepox virus evolutionary genomics, uncovering valuable insights into poxvirus infection dynamics within Australian saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). These breakthroughs have been eloquently detailed in several seminal publications and have significantly contributed to the development of strategies for recombinant DNA vaccines. Notably, these findings galvanized participation of Dr Sarker's former university researchers in a collaborative project funded by the Porosus industry in partnership with the CRC for developing the North, aimed at devising a recombinant DNA vaccine against saltwater crocodilepox virus.

Sarker's primary research interest is applying genomic and molecular biology approaches to help answer evolutionary questions and develop a better understanding of the pathogens, with a strong focus on the conservation of human and animal health. Dr. Sarker's laboratory is equipped with a diverse array of cutting-edge techniques, encompassing genomic analysis, microbiological investigations, vaccinology, and structural biology methodologies, all employed synergistically to advance scientific knowledge.

In addition, Sarker Lab offers diagnostic services for beak and feather disease virus, as well as poxviruses antigen, with payment based on a fee-for-service model.

Teaching

• MI3031: Diagnosis of Viral Disease in Aquaculture (Level 3; TSV)
• MI5031: Diagnosis of Viral Disease in Aquaculture (Level 5; TSV)

Interests

Professional

• Associate Editor, Frontiers in Microbiology (2022-present)
• Editorial board member, Viruses (2021-present)
• Editorial board member, BMC Veterinary Research (2021-present)
• Editorial board member, Poultry (2022-present)

Research

• Emerging infectious diseases
• Evolutionary genomics
• Diagnostic microbiology
• Subunit vaccine development
• Host–pathogen interaction

Experience

• 2023 to present - Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, James Cook University (Townsville, QLD, Australia)
• 2023 to present - Senior Research Fellow (Adjunct), La Trobe University (Melbourne, VIC, Australia)
• 2022 to 2023 - Senior Research Fellow, La Trobe University (Melbourne, VIC, Australia)
• 2020 to 2022 - ARC DECRA Fellow, La Trobe University (Melbourne, VIC, Australia)
• 2016 to 2019 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, La Trobe University (Melbourne, VIC, Australia)
• 2013 to 2019 - Assistant Professer in Veterinary Pathology, University of Rajshahi (Bangladesh)
• 2015 to 2016 - Endeavour Research Fellow, Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia)
• 2013 to 2015 - Academic Staff (Casual), Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia)
• 2010 to 2013 - Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology, University of Rajshahi (Bangladesh)
• 2009 to 2010 - District Veterinarian, DAI, USAID, Stamping out pandemic avian influenza (Bangladesh)

Research Disciplines

• Veterinary sciences (3009)
• Genetics (3105)
• Microbiology (3107)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Expanding knowledge (2801)
• Livestock raising (1004)
• Public health (2004)

Awards

• 2022 - Travel award, Viruses journal, Basel, Switzerland (for attending 2022 Wildlife Disease Association Australasian annual conference, Melbourne)
• 2022 - Travel award, Viruses journal, Basel, Switzerland (for attending The Australasian Virology Society Meeting, AVS11, Gold Coast, Queensland)
• 2019 - Synthetic Biology Australasia Mobility Grants, Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia), through the Australian Academy of Science
• 2017 - Outstanding Reviewer Award, Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 2016 - School of Life Science Publication Booster Award, La Trobe University, Australia
• 2014 - Travel award, EH Graham Centre, Charles Sturt University
• 2013 - Travel award, EH Graham Centre, Charles Sturt University
• 2012 to 2015 - International Tuition Payment Award, Charles Sturt University
• 2012 to 2015 - Postgraduate Research Award, Charles Sturt University

Fellowships

• 2023 - Fellow of the Australian Society of Microbiology (FASM)
• 2020 to 2022 - Australian Research Council, Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (ARC, DECRA)
• 2016 to 2019 - School of Life Sciences Fellowship, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
• 2015 to 2016 - Endeavour Research Fellow, Charles Sturt University, Australia

Memberships

• 2023 - The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses
• 2022 - Wildlife Diseases Association
• 2022 - Wildlife Health Australia
• 2017 - Australasian Society for Virology
• 2017 - Synthetic Biology Australasia
• 2014 - Australian Society for Microbiology
• 2013 - American Society for Microbiology
• 2019 to 2023 - Microbiology Specialist, Institutional Biosafety Committee, La Trobe University
• 2020 to 2021 - American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• 2020 to 2021 - Research Committee, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University
• 2019 to 2021 - The Science and Art Image Committee, La Trobe University
• 2016 to 2017 - UK Society for Microbiology

Other

• 2020 - Grant Accessor, Australian Research Council
• 2013 to 2019 - Expert Reviewer, The National Science Centre, Poland for assessing research programmes, doctoral fellowship, or post-doctoral internships by the centre

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Athukorala A, Donnelly C, Pavan S, Nematollahzadeh S, Djossou V, Nath B, Helbig K, Di Iorio E, McSharry B, Alvisi G, Forwood J and Sarker S (2024) Structural and functional characterization of siadenovirus core protein VII nuclear localization demonstrates the existence of multiple nuclear transport pathways. Journal of General Virology, 105 (1).
• Klukowski N, Eden P, Uddin M and Sarker S (2024) Virome of Australia's most endangered parrot in captivity evidenced of harboring hitherto unknown viruses. Microbiology Spectrum, 12 (1).
• Akther M, Akter S, Sarker S, Aleri J, Annandale H, Abraham S and Uddin J (2023) Global Burden of Lumpy Skin Disease, Outbreaks, and Future Challenges. Viruses, 15 (9).
• Athukorala A, Lacasse C, Curtiss J, Phalen D and Sarker S (2023) Characterisation of a novel aviadenovirus associated with disease in tawny frogmouths (Podargus strigoides). Virology, 588.
• Bhuiyan M, Sarker S, Amin Z, Rodrigues K, Saallah S, Shaarani S and Siddiquee S (2023) Infectious Bronchitis Virus (Gammacoronavirus) in Poultry: Genomic Architecture, Post-Translational Modifications, and Structural Motifs. Poultry, 2 (3). pp. 363-382
• Haque M, Islam M, Miah M, Das S and Sarker S (2023) Molecular characterization of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from human urine infections with their antibiogram profile. Journal of Advanced Biotechnology and Experimental Therapeutics, 6 (1). pp. 172-183
• He L, Zhang Y, Jia Y, Li Z, Li J, Shang K, Ding K, Yu H and Sarker S (2023) A novel pathogenic avipoxvirus infecting oriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis) in China shows a high genomic and evolutionary proximity with the pigeon avipoxviruses isolated globally. Microbiology Spectrum, 11 (5).
• Hoad M, Cross E, Donnelly C, Sarker S, Roby J and Forwood J (2023) Structural Characterization of Porcine Adeno-Associated Virus Capsid Protein with Nuclear Trafficking Protein Importin Alpha Reveals a Bipartite Nuclear Localization Signal. Viruses, 15 (2).
• Kasimov V, Wille M, Sarker S, Dong Y, Shao R, Hall C, Potvin D, Conroy G, Valenza L, Gillett A, Timms P and Jelocnik M (2023) Unexpected Pathogen Diversity Detected in Australian Avifauna Highlights Potential Biosecurity Challenges. Viruses, 15 (1).
• Nath B, Das T, Peters A, Gupta S, Sarker S, Forwood J, Raidal S and Das S (2023) Australasian Pigeon Circoviruses Demonstrate Natural Spillover Infection. Viruses, 15 (10).
• Sarker S and Phalen D (2023) Detection of a Novel Alphaherpesvirus and Avihepadnavirus in a Plantar Papilloma from a Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglosis moluccanus). Viruses, 15 (10).
• Sarker S and Raidal S (2023) A Novel Pathogenic Avipoxvirus Infecting Vulnerable Cook’s Petrel (Pterodroma cookii) in Australia Demonstrates a High Genomic and Evolutionary Proximity with South African Avipoxviruses. Microbiology Spectrum, 11 (2).

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 103+ research outputs authored by Dr Subir Sarker from 2011 onwards.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Investigating plant-derived antimicrobial molecules as potential antiviral agents in viral infections (Masters , Primary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.