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)

61 - 80 of 114 works

2014

Journal Article

Detection of Campylobacter in human faecal samples in Fiji

Devi, Aruna, Wilkinson, Jenny, Mahony, Timothy and Vanniasinkam, Thiru (2014). Detection of Campylobacter in human faecal samples in Fiji. Western Pacific Surveillance and Response Journal, 5 (4), 30-33. doi: 10.5365/WPSAR.2014.5.2.007

Detection of Campylobacter in human faecal samples in Fiji

2014

Journal Article

Silica vesicles as nanocarriers and adjuvants for generating both antibody and T-cell mediated immune resposes to Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus E2 protein

Mody, Karishma T., Mahony, Donna, Zhang, Jun, Cavallaro, Antonino S., Zhang, Bing, Popat, Amirali, Mahony, Timothy J., Yu, Chengzhong and Mitter, Neena (2014). Silica vesicles as nanocarriers and adjuvants for generating both antibody and T-cell mediated immune resposes to Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus E2 protein. Biomaterials, 35 (37), 9972-9983. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.08.044

Silica vesicles as nanocarriers and adjuvants for generating both antibody and T-cell mediated immune resposes to Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus E2 protein

2014

Journal Article

Risk factors for bovine respiratory disease in Australian feedlot cattle: use of a causal diagram-informed approach to estimate effects of animal mixing and movements before feedlot entry

Hay, K. E., Barnes, T. S., Morton, J. M., Clements, A. C. A. and Mahony, T. J. (2014). Risk factors for bovine respiratory disease in Australian feedlot cattle: use of a causal diagram-informed approach to estimate effects of animal mixing and movements before feedlot entry. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 117 (1), 160-169. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.07.001

Risk factors for bovine respiratory disease in Australian feedlot cattle: use of a causal diagram-informed approach to estimate effects of animal mixing and movements before feedlot entry

2014

Journal Article

The intimin-like protein FdeC is regulated by H-NS and temperature in Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli

Easton, Donna M., Allsopp, Luke P., Phan, Minh-Duy, Gomes Moriel, Danilo, Goh, Guan Kai, Beatson, Scott A., Mahony, Timothy J., Cobbold, Rowland N. and Schembri, Mark A. (2014). The intimin-like protein FdeC is regulated by H-NS and temperature in Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 80 (23), 7337-7347. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02114-14

The intimin-like protein FdeC is regulated by H-NS and temperature in Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli

2014

Conference Publication

Inoculation of cattle with novel Escherichia coli antigens reduces enteric colonisation by enterohaemorrhagic E. coli O26

Vance, Megan, Mahony, Timothy, Easton, Donna, Alikhan, Nabil, Beatson, Scott, Schembri, Mark and Cobbold, Rowland (2014). Inoculation of cattle with novel Escherichia coli antigens reduces enteric colonisation by enterohaemorrhagic E. coli O26. Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 5 - 9 July 2014.

Inoculation of cattle with novel Escherichia coli antigens reduces enteric colonisation by enterohaemorrhagic E. coli O26

2014

Journal Article

Freeze-drying of ovalbumin loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticle vaccine formulation increases antigen stability under ambient conditions

Mody, Karishma T., Mahony, Donna, Cavallaro, Antonino S., Stahr, Frances, Qiao, Shi Zhang, Mahony, Timothy J. and Mitter, Neena (2014). Freeze-drying of ovalbumin loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticle vaccine formulation increases antigen stability under ambient conditions. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 465 (1-2), 325-332. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2014.01.037

Freeze-drying of ovalbumin loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticle vaccine formulation increases antigen stability under ambient conditions

2014

Journal Article

In vivo delivery of bovine viral diahorrea virus, E2 protein using hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Mahony, D., Cavallaro, A. S., Mody, K. T., Xiong, L., Mahony, T. J., Qiao, S. Z. and Mitter, Neena (2014). In vivo delivery of bovine viral diahorrea virus, E2 protein using hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Nanoscale, 6 (12), 6617-6626. doi: 10.1039/C4NR01202J

In vivo delivery of bovine viral diahorrea virus, E2 protein using hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles

2014

Journal Article

Is Mycoplasma bovis a missing component of the bovine respiratory disease complex in Australia?

Horwood, P. F., Schibrowski, M. L., Fowler, E. V., Gibson, J. S., Barnes, T. S. and Mahony, T. J. (2014). Is Mycoplasma bovis a missing component of the bovine respiratory disease complex in Australia?. Australian Veterinary Journal, 92 (6), 185-191. doi: 10.1111/avj.12184

Is Mycoplasma bovis a missing component of the bovine respiratory disease complex in Australia?

2014

Journal Article

Biosecurity strategies for the beef industry

Mahony, Timothy J. (2014). Biosecurity strategies for the beef industry. Australasian Biotechnology, 24 (3), 60-60.

Biosecurity strategies for the beef industry

2013

Journal Article

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles act as a self-adjuvant for ovalbumin model antigen in mice

Mahony, Donna, Cavallaro, Antonino S., Stahr, Frances, Mahony, Timothy J., Qiao, Shi Zhang and Mitter, Neena (2013). Mesoporous silica nanoparticles act as a self-adjuvant for ovalbumin model antigen in mice. Small, 9 (18), 3138-3146. doi: 10.1002/smll.201300012

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles act as a self-adjuvant for ovalbumin model antigen in mice

2013

Journal Article

The meleagrid herpesvirus 1 genome is partially resistant to transposition

Hall, Robyn N., Meers, Joanne, Mitter, Neena, Fowler, Elizabeth V. and Mahony, Timothy J. (2013). The meleagrid herpesvirus 1 genome is partially resistant to transposition. Avian Diseases, 57 (2 SUPPL. 1), 380-386. doi: 10.1637/10339-082912-Reg.1

The meleagrid herpesvirus 1 genome is partially resistant to transposition

2013

Journal Article

A virological investigation into declining woylie populations

Pacioni, Carlo, Johansen, Cheryl A., Mahony, Timothy J., O'Dea, Mark A., Robertson, Ian D., Wayne, Adrian F. and Ellis, Trevor (2013). A virological investigation into declining woylie populations. Australian Journal of Zoology, 61 (6), 446-453. doi: 10.1071/ZO13077

A virological investigation into declining woylie populations

2012

Journal Article

Expression of Two N1 Clones with Single Amino Acid Dissimilarity of Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus

Hartawan, Risza, Dharmayanti, Ni Luh Putu Indi, Robinson, Karl, Mahony, Timothy and Meers, Joanne (2012). Expression of Two N1 Clones with Single Amino Acid Dissimilarity of Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus. HAYATI Journal of Biosciences, 19 (4), 169-176. doi: 10.4308/hjb.19.4.169

Expression of Two N1 Clones with Single Amino Acid Dissimilarity of Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus

2012

Journal Article

Freeze-drying of protein-loaded nanoparticles for vaccine delivery

Mody, Karishma, Mahony, Donna, Mahony, Tim and Mitter, Neena (2012). Freeze-drying of protein-loaded nanoparticles for vaccine delivery. Drug Delivery Letters, 2 (2), 83-91. doi: 10.2174/2210304x11202020083

Freeze-drying of protein-loaded nanoparticles for vaccine delivery

2012

Journal Article

Back to BAC: The use of infectious clone technologies for viral mutagenesis

Hall, Robyn N., Meers, Joanne, Fowler, Elizabeth and Mahony, Timothy (2012). Back to BAC: The use of infectious clone technologies for viral mutagenesis. Viruses, 4 (2), 211-235. doi: 10.3390/v4020211

Back to BAC: The use of infectious clone technologies for viral mutagenesis

2012

Journal Article

Genetic characterization of equine adenovirus type 1

Cavanagh, Heather M. A., Mahony, Timothy J. and Vanniasinkam, Thiru (2012). Genetic characterization of equine adenovirus type 1. Veterinary Microbiology, 155 (1), 33-37. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.08.014

Genetic characterization of equine adenovirus type 1

2011

Journal Article

Endotoxin-free purification for the isolation of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus E2 protein from insoluble inclusion body aggregates

Cavallaro, Antonio S., Mahony, Donna, Commins, Margaret, Mahony, Timothy J. and Mitter, Neena (2011). Endotoxin-free purification for the isolation of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus E2 protein from insoluble inclusion body aggregates. Microbial Cell Factories, 10 (1) 57, 57.1-57.9. doi: 10.1186/1475-2859-10-57

Endotoxin-free purification for the isolation of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus E2 protein from insoluble inclusion body aggregates

2011

Journal Article

In vitro expression of native H5 and N1 genes of avian influenza virus by using Green Fluorescent Protein as reporter

Hartawan, Risza, Robinson, K., Mahony, T. and Meers, J. (2011). In vitro expression of native H5 and N1 genes of avian influenza virus by using Green Fluorescent Protein as reporter. Indonesian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 16 (3), 234-241. doi: 10.14334/jitv.v16i3.618

In vitro expression of native H5 and N1 genes of avian influenza virus by using Green Fluorescent Protein as reporter

2011

Journal Article

Characterization of EhaJ, a new autotransporter protein from enterohemorrhagic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

Easton, Donna M., Totsika, Makrina, Allsopp, Luke P., Phan, Minh-Duy, Idris, Adi, Wurpel, Daniël J., Sherlock, Orla, Zhang, Bing, Venturini, Carola, Beatson, Scott A., Mahony, Timothy J., Cobbold, Rowland N. and Schembri, Mark A. (2011). Characterization of EhaJ, a new autotransporter protein from enterohemorrhagic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. Frontiers in Microbiology: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2 (JUNE), 120.1-120.9. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2011.00120

Characterization of EhaJ, a new autotransporter protein from enterohemorrhagic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

2011

Journal Article

Multiplex real-time RT-PCR detection of three viruses associated with the bovine respiratory disease complex

Horwood, Paul Francis and Mahony, Timothy John (2011). Multiplex real-time RT-PCR detection of three viruses associated with the bovine respiratory disease complex. Journal of Virological Methods, 171 (2), 360-363. doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2010.11.020

Multiplex real-time RT-PCR detection of three viruses associated with the bovine respiratory disease complex

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

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