The development of better ways to prevent and treat influenza infection will be a major step forward in lessening the impact of the virus in communities worldwide. We have assembled a research team of seven groups who will determine the ways in which the effects of influenza can be mitigated through an understanding of the factors which lead to severe disease, and how these can be lessened by novel vaccination and treatment strategies.
Some infections can start inflammation that, while controlling the infection, can also attack the body tissues of genetically susceptible people. This inflammation can initiate long term problems including arthritis, diabetes and cancer. Our research program seeks to understand who is genetically at risk of this sort of problem and why, and thus to develop new means to prevent and treat the chronic diseases that are initiated in this way.
Protein Glycan Interactions In Infectious Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,182,220.00
Summary
Infectious diseases remain a serious threat to human health, accounting for over 10 million deaths each year. This is a broad-based collaborative proposal, building on our previous achievements. Its aim is to better understand the dynamic interactions between major disease-causing microbes and their human hosts, and to directly apply this new knowledge to the development of improved vaccines and novel treatment strategies. These are urgently needed to combat infectious diseases in the 21st centu ....Infectious diseases remain a serious threat to human health, accounting for over 10 million deaths each year. This is a broad-based collaborative proposal, building on our previous achievements. Its aim is to better understand the dynamic interactions between major disease-causing microbes and their human hosts, and to directly apply this new knowledge to the development of improved vaccines and novel treatment strategies. These are urgently needed to combat infectious diseases in the 21st century.Read moreRead less
We seek to understand how white blood cells detect and destroy disease, and how molecules of the immune system punch holes in diseased cells. We wish to learn how cancer can sometimes evade the immune system. Our work will also find out how some common treatments for cancer, like chemotherapy, can be used to boost the immune system and eliminate tumours. Through knowledge gained from these studies, we aim to develop new therapies that can help patients with devastating diseases like cancer.
Disorders Of Sex Development: Genetics, Diagnosis, Informing Clinical Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,751,502.00
Summary
Disorders of sexual development (DSDs) are surprisingly common, and often result in genital abnormalities, gender mis-assignment, infertility and psychological trauma. We will pool our expertise in human genetics, molecular and developmental biology, to find genes important for sex development, identify gene defects that cause DSD, and study their functions. We will liaise with clinicians to apply these findings to the accurate diagnosis and medical care of DSD in children.
Antigen Presentation, Recognition And The Immune Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$15,780,848.00
Summary
This program focuses on understanding the development of immune response to viruses and other infectious agents using a broad array of techniques to dissect the function of various immune cell types and to explore the relationship between structure and function of important cell surface molecules. These studies will improve our ability to design new generation vaccines for combating infectious diseases, controlling cancer, or limiting autoimmune diseases like diabetes.
From Discovery To Innovation In Stuttering Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,124,148.00
Summary
Stuttering starts in 2-3-year olds and if not controlled causes a lifetime of social anxiety, and hinders educational and vocational achievement. Recent discoveries by the current team and colleagues have shown the disorder to be far more prevalent, and more of a public health problem, than previously thought. The team has developed efficacious treatments for stuttering children and adults. However, no country can afford the health care needed for all who stutter. The present research is designe ....Stuttering starts in 2-3-year olds and if not controlled causes a lifetime of social anxiety, and hinders educational and vocational achievement. Recent discoveries by the current team and colleagues have shown the disorder to be far more prevalent, and more of a public health problem, than previously thought. The team has developed efficacious treatments for stuttering children and adults. However, no country can afford the health care needed for all who stutter. The present research is designed to solve this problem by developing standalone Internet based stuttering treatments. These will be evaluated in a stepped care treatment approach for people who stutter, in Australia and internationally.Read moreRead less
Tropical Disease - Immunity, Pathogenesis And Vaccine Development: Global Translation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$17,988,456.00
Summary
Tropical diseases create a significant human and economic burden worldwide - particularly in resource-poor settings. Around half of the world's population is at risk of malaria. In Australia, Streptococcal and parasitic worm infections are particularly common in indigenous communities. This Program brings together leading experts to tackle these major health challenges. They are investigating how the body reacts to infection and creating new drugs and vaccines to eradicate these diseases.