Understanding The Role Of Ongoing Viral Activity In Herpes Simplex Virus Latency
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$980,762.00
Summary
The virus that causes cold sores and genital herpes has a dormant phase from which renewed infection can recur. We recently discovered that this dormant phase is more active than we thought and we now want to learn how the body acts to suppress the virus so that these defence mechanisms might be improved to stop recurrent infections.
Chikungunya Virus Disease; The Role Of Proteases And Their Receptors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,716.00
Summary
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito borne virus related to the Australian Ross River virus. The arthritic disease caused by these viruses is often poorly managed by current treatments. We have recently identified several proteins call proteases that circulate in the blood of infected people and promote arthritis. If successful the grant will provide new treatment options for these (and perhaps other) diseases using recently developed drugs that inhibit the activity of these proteases.
Soluble Inhibitors Of Influenza Virus In The Airway Fluids Of Mice, Ferrets And Humans.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,803.00
Summary
This study will characterize the ability of soluble proteins in airway secretions to recognize and destroy influenza viruses. As many of our insights regarding influenza pathogenesis are derived from studies in animal models, we will characterize the importance of proteins in airway fluids from mice and ferrets, as well as from humans. These findings will be of particular importance when assessing the relevance of particular animal models to understanding human disease.
The Interplay Between Viperin, Peroxisomes And The Cellular Innate Antiviral Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$556,127.00
Summary
Infection with a virus initiates a cellular antiviral response that attempts to limit viral replication, however how this response is regulated is not well understood. In this proposal we will investigate a cellular protein (viperin) that can regulate this process by interaction with peroxisomes to amplify the antiviral response. This work will provide possible targets for therapeutic manipulation of the innate immune response that will be applicable to a wide range of viral infections.
A Humanised Mouse Model For Herpes Simplex Virus Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$277,109.00
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes cold sores and genital herpes, diseases that persist and recur. This persistence is because HSV has several ways of stopping the body from detecting and eliminating the cells that it infects. This project will generate new tools that will help us to understand one of the ways that HSV hides from our defences and may be useful in developing immune-based therapies to treat the infection.
A Potent Anti-HIV-1 Gene Therapy Agent In A Humanised Mouse Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,147,139.00
Summary
We have shown that a synthetic protein called Nullbasic can protect human cells from becoming infected by the AIDS virus, HIV-1. In this project a gene therapy approach will be used to test if a human immune system modified to contain Nullbasic is protected from HIV-1 in an animal model.