Viral Determinants Of HIV-1 Transcriptional Latency In The Central Nervous System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$632,489.00
Summary
The anti-HIV drugs that are currently used to treat HIV-1 infection cannot eliminate the virus from the body, and therefore, cannot cure HIV-1 infection. The major reason why the drugs cannot provide a cure is because they cannot reach virus that hides in particular cells types referred to as "reservoirs". This study will determine how HIV-1 can take sanctuary in these reservoirs, which will be critical information for strategies that aim to cure HIV-1 infection.
Viral Determinants Of HIV-1 Transcriptional Latency In The Central Nervous System: Impact On Cure Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$847,521.00
Summary
This grant will identify the factors responsible for HIV-1 latency in the CNS, and will determine the effect of drugs aimed at reversing latency both on HIV-1 within the CNS, and also on the cells of the CNS.
Roles Of The Hepatitis C Virus Glycoprotein E2 Variable Regions In Virus Entry, Immunogenicity And Immune Evasion.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,820.00
Summary
Hepatitis C Virus infects 200 million people world-wide with over 200,000 Australians infected with the disease. This project will examine how the surface proteins of HCV change their shape to evade antibody responses and how this effects the outcome of infection. We will further characterize a vaccine that elicits protective immunity to HCV to identify the optimal formulation for clinical trials.
Enhanced Expression Of The Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen, EBNA1, As A Target For T-cell-Based Immunotherapy For Prevention Of Viral-Associated Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,513.00
Summary
Epstein-Barr virus, (EBV) is a human herpesvirus associated with a range of human cancers. EBNA1, an important EBV antigen, was thought to be “immunologically silent” however, recent studies from our laboratory show that EBNA1 is recognized by our body's defence system and these observations raise the possibility that EBNA1 may be an exploitable, immuno-therapy target for treating EBV-associated cancers.