Professor Timothy Mahony
Professor

Timothy Mahony

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 66505

Background

Prof Tim Mahony joined QAAFI’s Centre for Animal Science in October 2010, after 15 years of conducting research projects with the Queensland Government. He obtained his PhD from James Cook University in the area of molecular microbiology. During 2001 and 2002, Prof Mahony was a visiting professor at the University of Saskatchewan.

Research interests

Dr Mahony’s research interests are in the area of molecular virology revolving around improving viral disease control in production animals such as cattle and poultry. His group is characterising the molecular interactions between invading pathogens and the subsequent host responses with the goal of developing new vaccines and diagnostic technologies. A key component of this work includes improving the basic understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underpin and drive viral virulence and evolution. Next-generation sequencing has been used to sequence the genomes of herpesviruses and adenoviruses from a variety of species including, cattle, chickens, marsupials, horses, and crocodiles. Prof Mahony’s team is also investigating the role of virally encoded microRNAs in virulence, replication, and disease development. His group was one of the first in the world to apply bacterial artificial chromosome infectious clone technology for the efficient manipulation of herpesviruses that have large DNA genomes. These strategies are also being exploited to understand viral gene function and the development of vaccines.

Currently, Prof Mahony is researching risk factors that protect and predispose feedlot cattle to developing bovine respiratory disease (BRD). He is also leading the development of new vaccines for BRD and cattle tick infestations. Prof Mahony has also led the development of new vaccine delivery technologies for the poultry industry targeting the application of in ovo strategies. Prof Mahony research into improving animal health is increasing industry productivity, food safety, and consumer confidence in food products and he is keen to explore collaborations with other scientists in this area.

Prof Mahony has a strong interest to work with post-graduate students and has supervised a number of post-graduate students from Australia and overseas. These projects have covered research areas in molecular virology, animal health, vaccine development, and pathogen-host interactions.

Availability

Professor Timothy Mahony is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Biological Sciences Host-parasite interactions Infectious agents Microbiology Veterinary immunology Veterinary sciences Veterinary virology

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, James Cook University

Search Professor Timothy Mahony’s works on UQ eSpace

114 works between 1990 and 2025
All (114) Journal Article (101) Book Chapter (4) Conference Publication (9)

21 - 40 of 114 works

2021

Journal Article

Investigation of Campylobacter colonization in three Australian commercial free-range broiler farms

Pumtang-On, Pongthorn, Mahony, Timothy J., Hill, Rodney A., Pavic, Anthony and Vanniasinkam, Thiru (2021). Investigation of Campylobacter colonization in three Australian commercial free-range broiler farms. Poultry Science, 100 (3) 100891, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.12.004

Investigation of Campylobacter colonization in three Australian commercial free-range broiler farms

2021

Journal Article

A systematic review of Campylobacter jejuni vaccine candidates for chickens

Pumtang-on, Pongthorn, Mahony, Timothy J., Hill, Rodney A. and Vanniasinkam, Thiru (2021). A systematic review of Campylobacter jejuni vaccine candidates for chickens. Microorganisms, 9 (2) 397, 1-48. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9020397

A systematic review of Campylobacter jejuni vaccine candidates for chickens

2021

Journal Article

Synergistic effect of two nanotechnologies enhances the protective capacity of the Theileria parva Sporozoite p67C antigen in cattle

Lacasta, Anna, Mody, Karishma T, De Goeyse, Ine, Yu, Chengzhong, Zhang, Jun, Nyagwange, James, Mwalimu, Stephen, Awino, Elias, Saya, Rosemary, Njoroge, Thomas, Muriuki, Robert, Ndiwa, Nicholas, Poole, Elisabeth Jane, Zhang, Bing, Cavallaro, Antonino, Mahony, Timothy J, Steinaa, Lucilla, Mitter, Neena and Nene, Vishvanath (2021). Synergistic effect of two nanotechnologies enhances the protective capacity of the Theileria parva Sporozoite p67C antigen in cattle. Journal of Immunology, 206 (4), 686-699. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000442

Synergistic effect of two nanotechnologies enhances the protective capacity of the Theileria parva Sporozoite p67C antigen in cattle

2021

Journal Article

Characterization of the biodistribution of a silica vesicle Nanovaccine carrying a Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus protective antigen with in vivo live animal imaging

Mody, Karishma T., Zhang, Bing, Li, Xun, Fletcher, Nicholas L., Akhter, Dewan T., Jarrett, Sandy, Zhang, Jun, Yu, Chengzhong, Thurecht, Kristofer J., Mahony, Timothy J and Mitter, Neena (2021). Characterization of the biodistribution of a silica vesicle Nanovaccine carrying a Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus protective antigen with in vivo live animal imaging. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 8 606652, 1-11. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.606652

Characterization of the biodistribution of a silica vesicle Nanovaccine carrying a Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus protective antigen with in vivo live animal imaging

2021

Journal Article

Genome sequences of two marsupial simplex viruses, macropodid alphaherpesviruses 2 and 4

Vaz, P. K., Mahony, T. J., Hartley, C. A., Motha, J. and Devlin, J. M. (2021). Genome sequences of two marsupial simplex viruses, macropodid alphaherpesviruses 2 and 4. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 10 (2) e01189-20. doi: 10.1128/mra.01189-20

Genome sequences of two marsupial simplex viruses, macropodid alphaherpesviruses 2 and 4

2020

Book Chapter

The construction and evaluation of herpesvirus vectors

Robinson, K. E. and Mahony, T. J. (2020). The construction and evaluation of herpesvirus vectors. Viral vectors in veterinary vaccine development. (pp. 95-110) Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-51927-8_7

The construction and evaluation of herpesvirus vectors

2020

Journal Article

Expression profile of selected genes of the E-11 cell line in response to red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus infection

Angsujinda, Kitipong, Mahony, Timothy J., Smith, Duncan R., Kettratad, Jes and Assavalapsakul, Wanchai (2020). Expression profile of selected genes of the E-11 cell line in response to red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus infection. Aquaculture Reports, 18 100468, 100468. doi: 10.1016/j.aqrep.2020.100468

Expression profile of selected genes of the E-11 cell line in response to red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus infection

2020

Conference Publication

Topical RNAi for Sustainable Animal Health

Mody, Karishma T., Zhang, Bing, Li, Xun, Jain, Ritesh, Li, Peng, James, Peter, Mahony, Timothy J., Xu, Zhiping and Mitter, Neena (2020). Topical RNAi for Sustainable Animal Health. TropAg 2019, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036170

Topical RNAi for Sustainable Animal Health

2019

Journal Article

Antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical isolates of Campylobacter jejuni from New South Wales, Australia

Devi, Aruna, Mahony, Timothy J., Wilkinson, Jenny M. and Vanniasinkam, Thiru (2019). Antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical isolates of Campylobacter jejuni from New South Wales, Australia. Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance, 16, 76-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jgar.2018.09.011

Antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical isolates of Campylobacter jejuni from New South Wales, Australia

2018

Journal Article

Clay nanoparticles co-deliver three antigens to promote potent immune responses against pathogenic Escherichia coli

Chen, Weiyu, Zuo, Huali, Rolfe, Barbara, Schembri, Mark A., Cobbold, Rowland N., Zhang, Bing, Mahony, Timothy J. and Xu, Zhi Ping (2018). Clay nanoparticles co-deliver three antigens to promote potent immune responses against pathogenic Escherichia coli. Journal of Controlled Release, 292, 196-209. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.11.008

Clay nanoparticles co-deliver three antigens to promote potent immune responses against pathogenic Escherichia coli

2018

Journal Article

Modulation of bovine herpesvirus 1 infection by virally encoded microRNAs

Kanokudom, Sitthichai, Mahony, Timothy J., Smith, Duncan R. and Assavalapsakul, Wanchai (2018). Modulation of bovine herpesvirus 1 infection by virally encoded microRNAs. Virus Research, 257, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.08.022

Modulation of bovine herpesvirus 1 infection by virally encoded microRNAs

2018

Journal Article

Mycoplasma bovis and bovine respiratory disease: a risk factor study in Australian feeder cattle

Schibrowski, M. L., Gibson, J. S., Hay, K. E., Mahony, T. J. and Barnes, T. S. (2018). Mycoplasma bovis and bovine respiratory disease: a risk factor study in Australian feeder cattle. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 157, 152-161. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.06.005

Mycoplasma bovis and bovine respiratory disease: a risk factor study in Australian feeder cattle

2018

Journal Article

Clay nanoparticles elicit long-term immune responses by forming biodegradable depots for sustained antigen stimulation

Chen, Weiyu, Zuo, Huali, Li, Bei, Duan, Chengcheng, Rolfe, Barbara, Zhang, Bing, Mahony, Timothy J and Xu, Zhi Ping (2018). Clay nanoparticles elicit long-term immune responses by forming biodegradable depots for sustained antigen stimulation. Small, 14 (19) 1704465, e1704465. doi: 10.1002/smll.201704465

Clay nanoparticles elicit long-term immune responses by forming biodegradable depots for sustained antigen stimulation

2018

Journal Article

The performance of three immune assays to assess the serological status of cattle experimentally exposed to mycoplasma bovis

Schibrowski, Meghan L., Barnes, Tamsin S., Wawegama, Nadeeka K., Vance, Megan E., Markham, Philip F., Mansell, Peter D., Marenda, Marc S., Kanci, Anna, Perez-Casal, José, Browning, Glenn F., Gibson, Justine S. and Mahony, Timothy J. (2018). The performance of three immune assays to assess the serological status of cattle experimentally exposed to mycoplasma bovis. Veterinary Sciences , 5 (1) 27, 27. doi: 10.3390/vetsci5010027

The performance of three immune assays to assess the serological status of cattle experimentally exposed to mycoplasma bovis

2018

Journal Article

In Vivo Characterisation of Five Strains of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus 1 (Subgenotype 1c)

Ambrose, Rebecca K, Gravel, Jennifer L, Commins, Margaret A, Fowler, Elizabeth V and Mahony, Timothy J (2018). In Vivo Characterisation of Five Strains of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus 1 (Subgenotype 1c). Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 7 (1) 12, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/pathogens7010012

In Vivo Characterisation of Five Strains of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus 1 (Subgenotype 1c)

2017

Journal Article

Efficient induction of comprehensive immune responses to control pathogenic E. coli by clay nano-adjuvant with the moderate size and surface charge

Chen, Weiyu, Zuo, Huali, Mahony, Timothy J, Zhang, Bing, Rolfe, Barbara and Xu, Zhi Ping (2017). Efficient induction of comprehensive immune responses to control pathogenic E. coli by clay nano-adjuvant with the moderate size and surface charge. Scientific reports, 7 (1) 13367, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-13570-2

Efficient induction of comprehensive immune responses to control pathogenic E. coli by clay nano-adjuvant with the moderate size and surface charge

2017

Journal Article

Population-level effects of risk factors for bovine respiratory disease in Australian feedlot cattle

Hay, K. E., Morton, J. M., Clements, A. C. A., Mahony, T. J. and Barnes, T. S. (2017). Population-level effects of risk factors for bovine respiratory disease in Australian feedlot cattle. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 140, 78-86. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.03.001

Population-level effects of risk factors for bovine respiratory disease in Australian feedlot cattle

2016

Journal Article

Nanoparticle-based delivery of Anaplasma marginale membrane proteins, VirB9-1 and VirB10 produced in the Pichia pastoris expression system

Zhang, Bing, Cavallaro, Antonio S., Mody, Karishma T., Zhang, Jun, Deringer, James R., Brown, Wendy C., Mahony, Timothy J., Yu, Chengzhong and Mitter, Neena (2016). Nanoparticle-based delivery of Anaplasma marginale membrane proteins, VirB9-1 and VirB10 produced in the Pichia pastoris expression system. Nanomaterials, 6 (11) 201, 201. doi: 10.3390/nano6110201

Nanoparticle-based delivery of Anaplasma marginale membrane proteins, VirB9-1 and VirB10 produced in the Pichia pastoris expression system

2016

Journal Article

Associations between feedlot management practices and bovine respiratory disease in Australian feedlot cattle

Hay, K. E., Morton, J. M., Clements, A. C. A., Mahony, T. J. and Barnes, T. S. (2016). Associations between feedlot management practices and bovine respiratory disease in Australian feedlot cattle. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 128, 23-32. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.03.017

Associations between feedlot management practices and bovine respiratory disease in Australian feedlot cattle

2016

Journal Article

Alphaherpesvirus-associated disease in greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis)

Besier, A. S., Mahony, T. J., Crockford, M., Gravel, J. L., Chapman, T. F. and O'Dea, M. A. (2016). Alphaherpesvirus-associated disease in greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis). Australian Veterinary Journal, 94 (6), 208-212. doi: 10.1111/avj.12447

Alphaherpesvirus-associated disease in greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis)

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Saving the endangered Spectacled flying fox from annual tick paralysis mortality events:
    Threatened Species Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Evaluation of a prototype vaccine for rattles in foals
    Agrifutures Australia
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Harnessing the synbio potential of Australia's stingless bees, the first step
    Sugar Research Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    On-farm genomics: genomic solutions for Northern beef cattle management and breeding
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    NB2: Assessing practical interventions to reduce calf wastage and herd mortality in northern systems
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023
    Development of a novel assay for the detection of the bovine SRY transcript
    NBRYO PTY LTD
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Use of an inhibin vaccine to increase litter size in pigs (University of Adelaide administered APRIL grant)
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Evaluation of anti-tick vaccines for tick immunological control in cattle
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Advanced Nanoparticle, Colloid and Microparticle Characterisation and Precision Engineering Nanosystems Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2024
    Development of a single shot immunocontraceptive vaccine for cattle
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2023
    Improving bovine respiratory disease control through the characterisation of pathogen genomics and host interactions
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Testing and verification of a single-dose cattle tick vaccine
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Identification of new and effective antimicrobials for sustainable use in intensively finished cattle
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    BioClay - Managing biotic stresses from field to market
    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Live viral vaccines for bovine respiratory disease: BVDV efficacy
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Changing the vaccination paradigm: A single-dose cattle-tick vaccine for Queensland's extensive beef cattle enterprises using biopolymer platform
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Research Partnerships Program
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Application of herpes viral vectors for in ovo delivery
    Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    The function of microRNAs encoded within the Bovine herpesvirus 1 origin of replication
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2015
    Epidemiology and management of bovine respiratory disease in feedlot cattle (Meat and Livestock Australia project novated from DEEDI)
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Timothy Mahony is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • The development of strand-specific sequencing methodologies double-stranded DNA viral genomes

    The herpesviruses are a large family of viruses that infected a broad range of hosts, such as mammals, reptiles, and molluscs. These viruses have a large double stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome. While the herpesviruses are considered to be genetically stable, variants with increased capacity to cause disease have emerged. The molecular basis underpinning the emergence of these virulent subtypes/genotypes for several herpesviruses of importance to veterinary medicine remains poorly understood. This project will utilise Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology to develop strategies to enable the strand-specific sequencing of herpesvirus genomes. The availability of strand-specific sequence data will be used to determine if the emergence of new genotypes of herpesviruses is a result of spontaneous mutation or the selection of existing genetic diversity within a viral isolate. This new knowledge will improve our understanding of this important virus family.

  • The application of gene editing to improve animal resistance to infections

    Gene editing technologies have enabled the rapid and specific modification of the genomes of complex organisms. Projects are available that will focus on the application of gene editing to increase the resilience of livestock cells to pathogens which reduce productivity. These projects will enable the candidate to gain experience in mammalian cell culture, transfection, growth and titration of viruses, molecular cloning, Western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR, genomic analyses, and fluorescence microscopy. These studies will improve our understanding of host/pathogen interactions towards the development of more resilient livestock.

  • The application of synthetic biology to large DNA viral genomes

    The capacity to manipulate the genomes of viruses in the laboratory remains dependent on their in vitro replication efficiency. This limitation has hindered our attempts better understand many of these viruses. This project will address this issue by applying long range PCR and DNA fragment assembly to construction copies of selected herpesviral genomes. The capacity of these genomes to facilitate rescue of infectious virus will also be determined. The availability of these infectious genome copies will aide in the development of improved diagnostics and control methods for these currently difficult to work with viruses.

  • Characterisation of bovine herpesvirus 2 genome

    Bovine herpesvirus 2 (BoHV-2) is associated with mastitis in cattle. Of all of the herpesviruses which infect cattle, BoHV-2 is by far the most poorly characterised. This project will address this knowledge gap by using next generation sequencing and conventional PCR and sequencing technologies to completely sequence the BoHV-2 genome. The results of this project will enable the genome-wide comparisons of the BoHV-2 genome to other bovine and mammalian herpesviruses. These comparisons will improve our understanding of host/virus interactions at the molecular level for important viral properties such as tissue tropism and virulence.

  • Construction of bovine herpesvirus 5 infectious clone

    Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-5) is a neurotrophic which is associated with severe and fatal disease in young cattle. Unlike bovine herpesvirus 1, BoHV-5 occurs sporadically in the world’s cattle population, except in South America. In this project, you will utilise genome edit tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9, to manipulate the BoHV-5 genome to construct an infectious clone of the virus. The results of this project will provide a better understanding of gene function in BoHV-5, particularly in respect to virulence. This information will improve our understand of how BoHV-5 interacts with its host at the molecular level and lead to the development of improved control strategies.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The application of genome editing to improve the disease resilience of livestock species

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karishma Mody

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Modelling superior phenotypes through the identification and exploitation of genomic safe harbours in cattle.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karl Robinson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of a viral vector vaccine for Australian flying foxes

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Joanne Meers

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Modelling superior phenotypes through the identification and exploitation of genomic safe harbours in cattle.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karl Robinson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Modelling superior phenotypes through the identification and exploitation of genomic safe harbours in cattle.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karl Robinson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Sustainable Control of the Australian Blowfly Using Topical RNA Interference

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karishma Mody

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Innovative RNAi for ectoparasites of livestock

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karl Robinson, Dr Karishma Mody

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Sustainable Control of the Australian Blowfly Using Topical RNA Interference

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karishma Mody

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Sustainable Control of the Australian Blowfly Using Topical RNA Interference

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karishma Mody

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterisation of a novel flying fox retrovirus

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Joanne Meers, Dr Lee McMichael

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Sustainable Control of the Australian Blowfly Using Topical RNA Interference

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karishma Mody

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Sustainable Control of the Australian Blowfly Using Topical RNA Interference

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Karishma Mody

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Timothy Mahony directly for media enquiries about:

  • Animal vaccines
  • Animals - viral diseases
  • Vaccines - animals
  • Viral diseases - animals

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au