Vaccinating Against Helicobacter Pylori-induced Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,088,714.00
Summary
Stomach cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Most stomach cancers result from inflammation due to Helicobacter pylori infection. Most infections are treatable with antibiotics but this does not protect against cancers that develop before infection is diagnosed. Normal vaccine approaches aimed at this infection have been unsuccessful. We have identified a new approach for protecting against stomach cancer by preventing inflammation; this project aims to develop this vaccine.
The development and evaluation of a new therapy for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections in hospitals. The technology used in this project will enable products to be developed from the Australian dairy industry which may safely provide protection and treatment for diarrhoea acquired in hospitals for which there are few effective options. The product will be cost effective and can be used as a public health tool to control outbreaks in those most susceptible to severe disease.
Understanding The Role Of The Essential Regulator WalKR In Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,239.00
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common human bacterial pathogens. This project aims to characterise an important global control system in S. aureus, and determine if chemical inhibitors of this control system could be used to treat S. aureus disease in the future.
Host-pathogen interactions: the role of mimicry. The proposed research program, using a combination of structure and functional analysis will provide insight into the mechanism of nucleotide hydrolysis by the enzymes NTPDases. This study will not only improve our fundamental understanding of NTPDase action but could lead to the rational design of antimicrobials.
Understanding heat shock protein complex vaccines. This project aims to understand the mechanism of action and formulation requirements of a novel vaccine technology that utilises heat shock protein complexes. By understanding how this technology works, future vaccines can be improved to induce the immune response required to target specific pathogens, as well as give assurance regarding its safety.
Identification of novel antigens for vaccination and immunotherapy against the human gastric pathogen, Helicobacter pylori. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is a significant human pathogen which infects the stomach where it is the major cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers, plus two types of cancer. This project proposes to utilise a novel strategy to identify potential vaccine targets on the bacterial surface with the aim to develop an effective vaccine against this organism. Such a vaccine wo ....Identification of novel antigens for vaccination and immunotherapy against the human gastric pathogen, Helicobacter pylori. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is a significant human pathogen which infects the stomach where it is the major cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers, plus two types of cancer. This project proposes to utilise a novel strategy to identify potential vaccine targets on the bacterial surface with the aim to develop an effective vaccine against this organism. Such a vaccine would protect against the development of stomach cancer, hence saving lives, plus significantly reduce the incidence of stomach ulcers, thereby reducing suffering of individuals and providing financial benefits to employers.Read moreRead less
Infectious diseases plague mankind; with infections responsible for approximately 20% of all deaths worldwide. New strategies are urgently needed and we have positioned our research to address questions around how to forestall bacterial pathogens in the initial phases of invasion of human tissues and provide full understanding of the key molecules on the surfaces of bacterial cells. This fundamental knowledge is crucial to new drugs, vaccines and infection-resistant medical devices.
Glycosyltransferase Effectors Of Enteropathogenic E. Coli And Salmonella
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
This project aims to characterise the mechanisms of disease caused by bacterial pathogens including Salmonella and enteropathogenic E. coli. These pathogens cause a significant amount of diarrhoeal disease and mortality worldwide particularly in infants and in countries where water sanitation is poor. I aim to investigate the specific mechanisms the bacteria employ to manipulate and avoid our immune response during infection in order to better understand and combat diarrhoeal disease.
Designing effective Gram negative bacterial vaccines. There is a need for the development of novel vaccines for use in animals and humans. This project will to address this need by studying the functions of bacterial 'blebs' as potent inducers of the host immune system and by developing these nano-sized particles for use as safe and cost-effective vaccine candidates.
The biology, structure and function of bacterial virulence effectors. This project is closely aligned with the National Research Priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and will establish a research framework to investigate novel virulence processes that allow bacterial pathogens to infect humans and cause disease. This fresh approach to the study of bacterial pathogenesis will sit outside classic genetic methods to investigate infection and immunity which rely heavily on genetic manip ....The biology, structure and function of bacterial virulence effectors. This project is closely aligned with the National Research Priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and will establish a research framework to investigate novel virulence processes that allow bacterial pathogens to infect humans and cause disease. This fresh approach to the study of bacterial pathogenesis will sit outside classic genetic methods to investigate infection and immunity which rely heavily on genetic manipulation of the pathogen. Other than providing fundamental information on host-pathogen interactions, this work may lead to novel disease interventions by inhibition of bacterial virulence factor activity and/or enhancement of host inflammatory and immune responses.Read moreRead less