Modulation Of Leishmaniasis By The Proinflammatory Cytokines TNF
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$288,911.00
Summary
We have established a mouse model that has been genetically modified and cannot produce the cytokine tumour necrosis factor. This cytokine is secreted in the beginning of the inflammatory response. If these mice are infected with a parasite they are not able to heal the infection and die quickly. We can demonstrate that these mice cannot regulate the beginning inflammatory response and do not form a cellular infiltrate at the site of infection.
Transcriptome Characterization Of Klebsiella Pneumoniae During Infection (TRACKIN)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,806.00
Summary
Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is an important pathogen associated with high mortality and antimicrobial resistance. Upon infection, the host activates a sophisticated immune response, but there is evidence that KP is capable of modifying this response. Here I will take advantage of cutting-edge genome sequencing to understand the interactions between KP and host immunity. These studies will provide a pathway for the development of new therapeutic strategies to combat multiresistant infections.
Comparative Effectiveness Of Vaccine-induced SIV-specific CD8 T Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,797.00
Summary
A HIV vaccine remains elusive. Although killer T cell immunity can provide partial protection from HIV disease, we don't know the best type of killer T cells to induce by vaccination. This project compares multiple HIV vaccine strategies in macaques. We will carefully study the quality of killer T cell immunity induced using novel and cutting-edge assays. We will identify the requirements for effective killer T cell immunity to HIV.
Gamma-ray Inactivated Influenza A Virus Vaccine For Cross-protective T Cell Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$239,963.00
Summary
Although there are new antiviral drugs that appear to be effective against influenza virus, the far more costeffective and efficient means to combat an influenza pandemic would be by vaccination. Current influenza vaccines employ virus preparations that are inactivated by chemical treatment. The inactivated vaccines, which function mostly by inducing antibody against the virus, have to be reformulated almost every year to take account of the changing virus because the antibodies recognize the vi ....Although there are new antiviral drugs that appear to be effective against influenza virus, the far more costeffective and efficient means to combat an influenza pandemic would be by vaccination. Current influenza vaccines employ virus preparations that are inactivated by chemical treatment. The inactivated vaccines, which function mostly by inducing antibody against the virus, have to be reformulated almost every year to take account of the changing virus because the antibodies recognize the viral surface which is prone to mutation. Accordingly, in terms of the threatening H5N1 avian influenza pandemic, it is not known if an inactivated vaccine based on the circulating H5N1 strain will be effective if the virus mutates to adapt to efficient growth and spread in the human population. In contrast to the antibody response against influenza virus, the cytotoxic T cell response is broadly crossreactive between heterologous influenza virus strains. Live virus infection efficiently induces cytotoxic T cell immunity which plays an important role in reducing disease severity and mortality following infection with a second, heterologous influenza virus, although infection per se is not prevented. Accordingly, vaccination strategies that elicit cytotoxic T cell memory should be given urgent consideration in the preparation against an influenza pandemic. We have found that the use of gamma-irradiation (in contrast to chemical treatment) for the preparation of inactivated experimental vaccines against influenza and other viruses does not destroy the ability of the vaccines to elicit cytotoxic T cell immunity. The gamma-ray inactivated vaccines conferred protection against lethal challenge with heterologous influenza virus strains in mice. This proposal is aimed at extending this novel finding to avian influenza viruses and to uncover the mechanisms involved in the cytotoxic T cell immunogenicity of gamma-ray inactivated vaccines.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Importance Of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Production In Australian Isolates Of Staphylococcus Aureus.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$118,796.00
Summary
New strains of the superbug methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have emerged in the community, causing severe, sometimes fatal infections in otherwise healthy people. These strains, called community-acquired MRSA produce a toxin (Panton-Valentine leukocidin). This project will provide important information about how this toxin promotes disease, and how the immune system responds to the toxin, providing the basis for the development of immunotherapies against this new superbug.
Factors That Influence Disease Severity In Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,076.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem and is one of the leading causes of death from an infectious disease worldwide. The severity of disease that occurs with TB is dependent on many complex factors including the infected person’s immune system and factors related to the TB organism itself. This research will determine the key factors that cause severe disease in TB which will translate into improved care of TB patients and enhance further research in this field.
The Impact Of Reduced Plasmodium Falciparum And Plasmodium Vivax Transmission On The Epidemiology Of Malaria And The Acquisition Of Antigen-specific Recall Responses In Children From Papua New Guinea.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,166.00
Summary
Malaria represents a significant global health burden in endemic countries. Individuals gradually develop a level of immunity to the clinical symptoms of malaria as a result of continued exposure throughout their lifetime. Efforts to implement effective malaria control strategies are increasing, thereby reducing exposure. This project will investigate how such strategies will impact on the development of immunity to malaria and the amount of clinical disease observed in different age groups.