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Contact Details

Phone
+64 3 479 5091
Email
htin.aung@otago.ac.nz
Position
Associate Professor
Department
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Qualifications
PhD
Research summary
Next-generation sequencing, diagnostic microbiology, molecular microbiology, structural biology

Research

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a global public health emergency. Drug-resistant tuberculosis including multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB) is the main cause of deaths related to AMR.

Our research goal is to tackle AMR with a multidisciplinary, integrative approach using cutting-edge technologies such as next- and third generation whole-genome sequencing (Illumina and Oxford Nanopore).

Our research focuses on:

  • Identification of novel molecular signatures associated with antimicrobial resistance particularly drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  • Identification of the genetic basis for resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis for the development of diagnostics and anti-TB drugs
  • Insights into the transmission of drug-resistant tuberculosis at community and national level for effective and targeted interventions

Publications

Tian, X., Gao, Y., Li, C., Ma, W., Zhang, J., Ju, Y., … Aung, H. L., … Cook, G. M., … Zhang, T. (2025). A novel non-invasive murine model for rapidly testing drug activity via inhalation administration against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15, 1400436. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1400436 Journal - Research Article

Christensen, P., Cinzah, R., Suwanarusk, R., Chua, A. C. Y., Kaneko, O., Kyle, D. E., Aung, H. L., Matheson, J., … Cook, G. M., … Russell, B. (2024). Extended blood stage sensitivity profiles of Plasmodium cynomolgi to doxycycline and tafenoquine, as a model for Plasmodium vivax. Antimicrobial Agents & Chemotherapy. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1128/aac.00280-24 Journal - Research Other

Tun, T., Baleivanualala, S. C., Erdmann, M. B., Gimenez, G., & Aung, H. L. (2024). An extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate from Myanmar [Genome note]. Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance, 36, 1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jgar.2023.11.004 Journal - Research Other

van Os, M., Cross, H., Kardailsky, O., Jeunen, G.-J., Collins, C., McDonald, K., Kinaston, R., Vlok, M., Walter, R., Cook, G., Aung, H. L., Matisoo-Smith, L., Buckley, H., & Knapp, M. (2023). The conundrum of related taxa: Detection and authentication of pathogen DNA in bioarchaeological samples from the Pacific. Proceedings of the 1st Australian & New Zealand Environmental DNA (eDNA) Conference: Innovation & Application. Retrieved from https://ednaconference.com.au Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Phyu, A. N., Aung, S. T., Palittapongarnpim, P., Htet, K. K. K., Mahasirimongkol, S., Ruangchai, W., … Aung, H. L., … Chongsuvivatwong, V. (2023). Genomic sequencing profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mandalay region, Myanmar. Tropical Medicine & Infectious Disease, 8, 239. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed8040239 Journal - Research Article

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