Dr Erin Brazel

Postdoctoral Research Associate

School of Biological Sciences

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr Erin Brazel is a Passe & Williams Research Fellow based at the University of Adelaide's Research Centre for Infectious Diseases. She leads the Molecular and Translational Microbiology Research Group, focused on developing novel prevention and treatment strategies against bacterial pathogens.

My Research
Career
Publications
Grants and Funding
Teaching
Supervision
Professional Activities
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The Brazel Lab investigates how bacteria cause disease and how we can better prevent or treat these infections. Our work spans molecular microbiology and translational research, with a strong focus on developing new tools to combat antimicrobial resistance. We study bacterial pathogens that impact both human and animal health, particularly those that drive infection burden and are difficult to treat with existing therapies.

We are a multidisciplinary group of microbiologists, biochemists, and translational researchers working to connect fundamental discovery with real-world impact.

razel Lab Group Photo 2024, L-R: Jack Basso, Dr Nicholas Maczuga, Rachel Chin, Kate Whyte, Dr Erin Brazel, Catherine Scougall, Dr Chloe Gates, and Carla Gallasch.

Brazel Lab Group Photo 2024, L-R: Jack Basso, Dr Nicholas Maczuga, Rachel Chin, Kate Whyte, Dr Erin Brazel, Catherine Scougall, Dr Chloe Gates, and Carla Gallasch.

Fundamental Research in Bacterial Pathogenesis

Our lab studies the molecular mechanisms that underlie bacterial virulence, host interaction, and adaptation to different environments within the body. We use a combination of microbiological, biochemical, and immunological approaches to explore how bacteria survive and persist in the host.

One area of focus is how bacteria sense their surroundings and adjust their behaviour accordingly - including through cell-to-cell communication systems like quorum sensing. These systems allow bacteria to coordinate activities such as biofilm formation, immune evasion, and the production of virulence factors. By understanding these communication networks, we aim to uncover new ways to target and disrupt bacterial infections.

Expanding the toolkit for the treatment of ear infections

Vaccine Design and Development

We also work on the development of whole cell inactivated vaccines targeting priority bacterial pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus suis. Our group leads efforts in vaccine design, optimisation, and preclinical testing, with an emphasis on serotype-independent approaches that overcome the limitations of current vaccines in terms of coverage, cost, and scalability.

Our team collaborates closely with GPN Vaccines to align research activities for clinical and commercial development. This includes our lead pneumococcal vaccine candidate, Gamma-PN3, which is currently in Phase I clinical trials. Other vaccines developed in the lab include Gamma-HI (targeting respiratory and ear infections), Gamma-SU (for use in swine), and Gamma-OM, a multi-pathogen formulation under development to prevent childhood otitis media, supported by the Passe & Williams Foundation.

The Advertiser article on new vaccine

First steps towards a new vaccine for childhood ear infections image of Dr Erin Brazel and Carla Gallasch

Mentoring and Research Training

Training and mentorship are a key part of our work. We support early-career researchers through hands-on experience in both academic and industry-linked research, with opportunities to build skills in experimental design, critical thinking, and translational science.

Students interested in undertaking Honours, Master of Philosophy (MPhil), or PhD research in the Brazel Lab at the University of Adelaide are encouraged to get in touch to discuss current opportunities: erin.brazel@adelaide.edu.au

Appointments

Date	Position	Institution name
2024 - ongoing	Passe & Williams Foundation Fellow	University of Adelaide
2022 - 2022	Bridge QUT Industry Fellow	GPN Vaccines
2020 - 2024	Postdoctoral Research Associate	University of Adelaide
2019 - 2020	Research Assistant	University of Adelaide

Language Competencies

Language Competency

English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

Language	Competency
English	Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

Education

Date	Institution name	Country	Title
2016 - 2020	University of Adelaide	Australia	Doctor of Philosophy (Biological Sciences)
2015 - 2015	University of Adelaide	Australia	Bachelor of Science (Honours)
2010 - 2014	University of Adelaide	Australia	Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science)

Research Interests

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Bacteriology Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Biotechnology Drug discovery Infectious Diseases Medical Bacteriology Medical Biochemistry: Proteins and Peptides Medical Biotechnology Medical Microbiology Microbiology Receptors and Membrane Biology Synthetic Biology Transition Metal Chemistry Vaccinology

Journals

Year	Citation
2025	Adams, F. G., Alquethamy, S., Waters, J. K., Davies, B. J., Haracic, E., Nanson, J. D., . . . Eijkelkamp, B. A. (2025). <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> Employs a Rare Fatty Acid Desaturase for Niche-Specific Host Adaptation.. ACS infectious diseases, 11(3), 550-557. DOI
2025	Gates, C. J., Brazel, E. B., Kennedy, E. V., Brown, J. S., Ercoli, G., Davies, J., . . . Alsharifi, M. (2025). A gamma-irradiated pneumococcal vaccine elicits superior immunogenicity in comparison to heat or chemically inactivated whole-cell vaccines. Vaccine, 54, 10 pages. DOI
2024	Brazel, E., Alsharifi, M., & Giorgio, L. (2024). Whole-cell pneumococcal vaccines: a future-proof approach to overcoming pneumococcal serotype replacement. Vaccine Insights, 03(01), 17-22. DOI
2023	Agnew, H. N., Atack, J. M., Fernando, A. R. D., Waters, S. N., van der Linden, M., Smith, E., . . . Trappetti, C. (2023). Uncovering the link between the SpnIII restriction modification system and LuxS in Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis isolates. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 13, 1-12. DOI Scopus2 Europe PMC2
2022	Brazel, E. B., Tan, A., Neville, S. L., Iverson, A. R., Udagedara, S. R., Cunningham, B. A., . . . McDevitt, C. A. (2022). Dysregulation of Streptococcus pneumoniae zinc homeostasis breaks ampicillin resistance in a pneumonia infection model. Cell Reports, 38(2), 18 pages. DOI Scopus23 WoS12 Europe PMC16
2022	Tikhomirova, A., Brazel, E. B., McLean, K. T., Agnew, H. N., Paton, J. C., & Trappetti, C. (2022). The Role of luxS in the Middle Ear Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolate 947. Pathogens, 11(2), 216-1-216-12. DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC2
2022	Agnew, H. N., Brazel, E. B., Tikhomirova, A., van der Linden, M., McLean, K. T., Paton, J. C., & Trappetti, C. (2022). Streptococcus pneumoniae Strains Isolated From a Single Pediatric Patient Display Distinct Phenotypes. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 12, 1-16. DOI Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC3
2022	David, S. C., Brazel, E. B., Singleton, E. V., Minhas, V., Laan, Z., Scougall, C., . . . Alsharifi, M. (2022). A Nonadjuvanted Whole-Inactivated Pneumococcal Vaccine Induces Multiserotype Opsonophagocytic Responses Mediated by Noncapsule-Specific Antibodies. mBio, 13(5), 02367-22-1-02367-22-21. DOI Scopus3 Europe PMC1
2021	McLean, K. T., Tikhomirova, A., Brazel, E. B., Legendre, S., Haasbroek, G., Minhas, V., . . . Trappetti, C. (2021). Site specific mutations of GalR affect galactose metabolism in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Journal of Bacteriology, 203(1), 1-12. DOI Scopus11 WoS7 Europe PMC9
2021	Adams, F. G., Trappetti, C., Waters, J. K., Zang, M., Brazel, E. B., Paton, J. C., . . . Eijkelkamp, B. A. (2021). To make or take: bacterial lipid homeostasis during infection. DOI
2021	Adams, F. G., Pokhrel, A., Brazel, E. B., Semenec, L., Li, L., Trappetti, C., . . . Eijkelkamp, B. A. (2021). Acinetobacter baumannii fatty acid desaturases facilitate survival in distinct environments. ACS Infectious Diseases, 7(8), 2221-2228. DOI Scopus15 WoS5 Europe PMC12
2021	Adams, F. G., Trappetti, C., Waters, J. K., Zang, M., Brazel, E. B., Paton, J. C., . . . Eijkelkamp, B. A. (2021). To make or take: bacterial lipid homeostasis during Infection. mBio, 12(3), e00928-21-1-e00928-21-5. DOI Scopus26 WoS13 Europe PMC22
2021	Zang, M., MacDermott-Opeskin, H., Adams, F. G., Naidu, V., Waters, J. K., Carey, A. B., . . . Eijkelkamp, B. A. (2021). The membrane composition defines the spatial organization and function of a major Acinetobacter baumannii drug efflux system. mBio, 12(3), e01070-21-1-e01070-21-6. DOI Scopus19 WoS6 Europe PMC12
2020	Kelliher, J. L., Brazel, E. B., Radin, J. N., Joya, E. S., Párraga Solórzano, P. K., Neville, S. L., . . . Kehl-Fie, T. E. (2020). Disruption of phosphate homeostasis sensitizes Staphylococcus aureus to nutritional immunity. Infection and Immunity, 88(6), 1-12. DOI Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC4
2019	Eijkelkamp, B. A., Morey, J. R., Neville, S. L., Tan, A., Pederick, V. G., Cole, N., . . . McDevitt, C. A. (2019). Dietary zinc and the control of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. PLoS pathogens, 15(8), 1-26. DOI Scopus51 WoS33 Europe PMC35
2019	Radin, J. R., Zhu, J., Brazel, E. B., McDevitt, C., & Kehl-Fie, T. E. (2019). Synergy between nutritional immunity and independent host defenses contributes to the importance of the MntABC manganese transporter during Staphylococcus aureus infection. Infection and Immunity, 87(1), 1-14. DOI Scopus33 WoS32 Europe PMC29
2018	Bohlmann, L., De Oliveira, D. M. P., El-Deeb, I. M., Brazel, E. B., Harbison-Price, N., Ong, C. L. Y., . . . Walker, M. J. (2018). Chemical synergy between ionophore PBT2 and zinc reverses antibiotic resistance. mBio, 9(6), e02391-18-1-e02391-18-12. DOI Scopus54 WoS47 Europe PMC36
2017	Martin, J., Edmonds, K., Bruce, K., Campanello, G., Eijkelkamp, B., Brazel, E., . . . Giedroc, D. (2017). The zinc efflux activator SczA protects Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 2 D39 from intracellular zinc toxicity. Molecular Microbiology, 104(4), 636-651. DOI Scopus35 WoS25 Europe PMC32
2017	Grim, K., San Francisco, B., Radin, J., Brazel, E., Kelliher, J., Párraga Solórzano, P., . . . Kehl-Fie, T. (2017). The metallophore staphylopine enables Staphylococcus aureus to compete with the host for zinc and overcome nutritional immunity. mBio, 8(5), 1-16. DOI Scopus106 WoS81 Europe PMC97

Patents

Year	Citation
2021	David, S., Alsharifi, M., Brazel, E., Hirst, T., & Paton, J. (2021). US20210361758A1, Streptococcal vaccines and methods for use. US.
2021	Brazel, E., Alsharifi, M., David, S., Hirst, T., & Paton, J. (2021). US20210361757A1, Streptococcal vaccine formulations and uses thereof. US.

Principal Investigator, Industry Sponsored Research (2024), - $464,270
Junior Fellowship, Passe & Williams Foundation (2024), "Developing a new vaccine to prevent bacterial ear infections" - $239,729
National Industry PhD Program Funding, Industry Linked PhD Stream (2023), "Developing a novel cross-protective, inactivated vaccine against non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae" - $66,240
Principal Investigator, Industry Sponsored Research (2023), - $110,838
REDI Bridge Industry Fellowship (2022), - $10,000
School of Biological Sciences EMCR Association Small Grant Scheme (2022). "Structural studies of the Streptococcus pneumoniae sugar uptake protein FruA" - $1,000
QUT/MTPConnect Bridge Program Pitch Competition (2022) - $10,000
School of Biological Sciences EMCR Association Small Grant Scheme (2021). "A metabolite screening approach to uncover new Streptococcus pneumoniae treatments" - $1,000
CI, Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation Grant (2021), "Expanding the toolkit for the treatment of ear infections" - $40,000

Academic Mentor, Principles and Practices of Research (Advanced) II (SCIENCE 2300), 2022, 2024.

Supervisor, Principles and Practices of Research (Advanced) III (SCIENCE 3100), 2022, 2023, 2024

Lecturer, Infection and Immunity IIIA (MICRO 3000, MICRO 3007, MICRO 3102), 2022-Current
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (1 lecture/year)
- Nutrients at the host-pathogen interface (2 lectures/year)
- Bacterial vaccines (1 lecture/year)

Practical Demonstrator, Infection and Immunity IIIA (MICRO 3000), 2016-2018

Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Date	Role	Research Topic	Program	Degree Type	Student Load	Student Name
2025	Principal Supervisor	Evaluation of a broad-spectrum otitis media vaccine	Master of Philosophy	Master	Full Time	Mr Jack William Robert Basso
2024	Principal Supervisor	Investigating the drivers of pneumococcal pathogenesis	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Miss Kate Patricia Whyte
2024	Principal Supervisor	Development of a novel whole-inactivated Streptococcal vaccine	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Ms Rachel Chin
2023	Principal Supervisor	Developing a novel cross-protective, inactivated vaccine against non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Ms Carla Ruth Gallasch

Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Date	Role	Research Topic	Program	Degree Type	Student Load	Student Name
2022 - 2024	Co-Supervisor	Exploring Genomic, Phenotypic, and Epigenetic Characteristics of Clinical Isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Miss Hannah Naomi Agnew
2021 - 2024	Co-Supervisor	Enhancing the Stability and Immunogenicity of a Whole-Cell Pneumococcal Vaccine	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Ms Chloe Gates

Other Supervision Activities

Date	Role	Research Topic	Location	Program	Supervision Type	Student Load	Student Name
2024 - ongoing	Co-Supervisor	The role of manganese-responsive antigens in a pneumococcal vaccine	The University of Adelaide	Honours Degree Bachelor of Science	Honours	-	Yuchen Wei
2024 - 2024	Co-Supervisor	Applied Biotechnology Research and Design	The University of Adelaide	Master of Biotechnology (Biomedical)	Master	-	Deepa Anbalagan, Navdeep Kaur, Anindita Rahman Neha and Ayushi Walimbe
2024 - 2024	Principal Supervisor	Principles and Practices of Research III	The University of Adelaide	Bachelor of Science (Advanced)	Other	-	Jack Basso
2023 - 2023	Principal Supervisor	Principles and Practices of Research III	The University of Adelaide	-	Other	-	Simone Sanders
2022 - 2022	Principal Supervisor	Principles and Practices of Research III	The University of Adelaide	-	Other	-	Kate Whyte
2021 - 2021	Principal Supervisor	Summer Research Scholarship Placement	The University of Adelaide	-	Other	-	Kate Whyte
2021 - 2021	Principal Supervisor	Summer Research Scholarship Placement	The University of Adelaide	-	Other	-	Rachel Chin

Mentoring

Date	Topic	Location	Name
2024 - 2024	Principles and Practices of Research II	The University of Adelaide	Jasmine Esvelt
2023 - 2023	Principles and Practices of Research II	The University of Adelaide	Simone Sanders

Committee Memberships

Date	Role	Committee	Institution	Country
2024 - ongoing	Chair	SA/NT Branch, Australian Society for Microbiology	Australian Society for Microbiology	Australia
2024 - ongoing	Member	Research Committee, School of Biological Sciences	The University of Adelaide	Australia
2024 - ongoing	Member	Research Resources Committee, School of Biological Sciences	The University of Adelaide	Australia
2022 - 2024	Secretary	Australian Society for Microbiology SA/NT Branch	Australian Society for Microbiology	Australia
2019 - ongoing	Chair	Adelaide Protein Group	Australian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	Australia
2019 - ongoing	Representative	Professional Development Standing Committee	Australian Society for Microbiology	Australia
2019 - 2019	Representative	Faculty of Sciences Gender Equity and Diversity	The University of Adelaide	Australia
2019 - 2019	Secretary	Adelaide Protein Group	Australian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	Australia
2018 - ongoing	Representative	Australian Society for Microbiology SA/NT Branch	Australian Society for Microbiology	Australia
2018 - 2019	Representative	Institutional Biosafety Committee	The University of Adelaide	Australia
2017 - 2018	Member	Adelaide University Biosciences Network	The University of Adelaide	Australia
2016 - 2024	Representative	Adelaide Protein Group	Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	Australia

Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate
Phone: 83137552
Email: erin.brazel@adelaide.edu.au
Campus: North Terrace
Building: Molecular Life Sciences, floor Fourth Floor
Room: 439
Org Unit: Molecular and Biomedical Science