Study Of Papillomavirus DNA Encapsidation And Formation Of Infectious Virions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$214,053.00
Summary
Papillomavirus (PV) is a sexually-transmitted virus that is a major cause of cervical cancer. Our study will determine how PV is able to form new virus particles inside infected cells. This is a critical part of the virus life-cycle, and a better understanding of this process may allow it to be trageted by anti-viral treatments. In addition, we will develop a method to create non-harmful virus particles which we will use to study human immune responses to the virus.
Rapid Point Of Care Detection Of Avian Influenza Virus Using Ion-Channel Switch Biosensor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,400.00
Summary
The project aims to demonstrate a rapid, Point-of-Care test based on the Ion Channel Switch (ICS_) Biosensor for the detection and identification of Avian Influenza (AI) Virus in respiratory specimens. This proposal combines the extensive scientific skills and experience of the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS), Adelaide with the experience and existing capability of Ambri Ltd, Chatswood Sydney, to adapt an existing ICS_ Biosensor for the detection of avian influenza virus in cl ....The project aims to demonstrate a rapid, Point-of-Care test based on the Ion Channel Switch (ICS_) Biosensor for the detection and identification of Avian Influenza (AI) Virus in respiratory specimens. This proposal combines the extensive scientific skills and experience of the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS), Adelaide with the experience and existing capability of Ambri Ltd, Chatswood Sydney, to adapt an existing ICS_ Biosensor for the detection of avian influenza virus in clinical specimens. The existing ICS_ Biosensor has been shown to have reactivity with inactivated Influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2 _ current, circulating human strains) and with recombinant Nucleoprotein. This unique mix of experience and infrastructure will permit the demonstration a rapid, point-of-care test for Avian Flu within the tight six months schedule.Read moreRead less
Scabies is a global disease and a major health problem in many developing countries, related primarily to poverty and overcrowding. In remote Aboriginal communities in northern Australia prevalences of up to 50% in children have been described, despite the availability of effective chemotherapy. Scabies is caused by a tiny mite burrowing under the skin and symptoms include intensely itching lesions that can be very distressing, and often become secondarily infected with Group A Streptococcus. Th ....Scabies is a global disease and a major health problem in many developing countries, related primarily to poverty and overcrowding. In remote Aboriginal communities in northern Australia prevalences of up to 50% in children have been described, despite the availability of effective chemotherapy. Scabies is caused by a tiny mite burrowing under the skin and symptoms include intensely itching lesions that can be very distressing, and often become secondarily infected with Group A Streptococcus. These skin sores can result in serious complications, including blood poisoning and kidney damage. Control of scabies is hindered by difficulties with diagnosis, the cost of treatment, evidence for emerging resistance, and lack of effective vaccines. The symptoms of scabies infestations can mimic many other skin diseases such as dermatitis, eczema, impetigo, and allergic reactions, and traditional tests to diagnose scabies are often less than 50% accurate. Control measures in endemic regions include community-based scabies intervention programs and although successful at reducing levels of scabies in the short term, have proved difficult to sustain due to low levels of scabies persisting within communities. Recent developments leading to expression and purification of scabies mite recombinant antigens have identified a number of molecules with diagnostic potential and this study aims to investigate the accuracy of these recombinant proteins to identify scabies specific antibodies in people with active scabies. An effective simple, cheap, rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic test for scabies will aid in the early identification of disease and thus treatment. Furthermore it will enable the selective treatment of affected children and their families, reducing the requirement for mass treatment and associated costs, decrease the potential for escalating mite resistance, and provide another means of controlling scabies in highly affected areas.Read moreRead less
Detailed Investigation Of The Humoral Immune Response To HCV To Identify Diagnostic And Prognostic Serological Markers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,466.00
Summary
The prevalence of Hepatitis C in Australia has been estimated at 242 000 people with 80% of infections acquired as a result of infection drug use. The currently available assays can be used to reliably determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection but provide no information regarding the incidence of infection. By thoroughly investigating the immune response generated by individuals infected with Hepatitis C we intend to identify interactions which can be used to differientiate between the d ....The prevalence of Hepatitis C in Australia has been estimated at 242 000 people with 80% of infections acquired as a result of infection drug use. The currently available assays can be used to reliably determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection but provide no information regarding the incidence of infection. By thoroughly investigating the immune response generated by individuals infected with Hepatitis C we intend to identify interactions which can be used to differientiate between the different stages of infection. The expected outcomes of this study include the identification of a marker of recent Hepatitis C infection. This will permit accurate epidemiological monitoring of Hepatitis C, better design of programs to control the spread, trace outbreaks and manage treatment programs. The identification of a marker capable of predicting the clinical outcome of infection would be invaluable to clinicians, because following acute infection with Hepatitis C, 20 to 30% of individuals will resolve their infection without the need for therapeutic intervention. The information obtained in this study will also lead to a better interpretation of diagnostic laboratory findings, improving our ability to provide clear and accurate reports to blood donors and consequently enhance the Australian blood supply in terms of safety and donor retention.Read moreRead less
Development Of A Sensitive Point Of Care Diagnostic Assay For Troponin I
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$137,650.00
Summary
This research aims to develop a diagnostic for immediate monitoring of patients presenting with chest pain, with the presumption of heart attack. The novel diagnostic platform will enable the estimation of a key indicator of heart muscle damage to be performed within a ten to fifteen minute window. This will aid speedier diagnosis and propoer triage of patients presenting with chest pain.
Culture-independent Microbiology: Reducing Delays In The Diagnosis Of Severe Infections And Detection Of Antimicrobial Resistance From Days To Hours.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$949,589.00
Summary
Serious infections require early effective antibiotic treatment. To provide evidence that an antibiotic will be effective, current tests take 2-5 days and this leads to a reliance on broad spectrum antibiotics, which can cause harm. Our new diagnostic methods, can produce results in 4-6 hours. We will demonstrate the real-world benefit of these methods by assessing samples taken from patients with three high risk infections and compare our test to currently available results.