Role In Disease Of A Novel Epigenetic Regulator Associated With The Hypervirulent Neisseria Meningitidis Clonal Complex 41/44
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,249.00
Summary
Neisseria meningitis is a major cause of meningococcal septicaemia and meningitis worldwide. We have identified a phase variable DNA methyltransferase present in disease isolates, some of which have caused meningococcal epidemics. This methyltransferase is involved in the regulation of proteins involved in infection and disease processes. We will investigate whether this regulation increases the ability of the bacteria to adapt to changing host environments and cause disease.
Tuberculosis is one of the most threatening infectious diseases worldwide due to the low efficiency of the only licensed anti-tuberculosis vaccine, BCG. This project aims to interrogate two previously neglected immune mechanisms and their potential to enhance vaccine-induced immunity by incorporating these mechanisms into new genetically modified BCG strains. We will also investigate alternative BCG vaccination routes to generate long-lived immune cells that can rapidly control the infection.
Preclinical Studies Of Group A Streptococcal Vaccine Candidates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,492.00
Summary
Group A streptococcus causes 520,000 deaths each year. A safe and effective vaccine is not commercially available. We have identified 2 new protective candidate antigens, and we seek to undertake critical preclinical studies to provide further proof-of-concept data. This work will underpin commercial decisions by our industry partner (Wyeth) leading to human trials and the development of a safe group A streptococcal vaccine for human use.
The Glyco-interactome Of Pathogenic Neisseria: Understanding Disease And Defining Vaccine Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,012.00
Summary
In order to infect humans and cause disease, many bacteria rely on interactions with carbohydrate (sugar) structures on human cells. This project aims to characterise the sugar interactions that enable Neisseria meningitidis (causes meningitis, sepsis) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (causes gonorrhoea, associated with infertility and increased transmission of HIV) to cause disease. This will increase our understanding of host-pathogen interactions and aid development of new vaccines and therapeutics.
Combating The Reemergence Of Tuberculosis With New Vaccine Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Tuberculosis is a major global public health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. This project aims to generate new, highly efficacious vaccination regimens against tuberculosis, especially pulmonary tuberculosis, which is the most difficult manifestation of the disease to control. The outcomes of this project have the potential to save millions of lives worldwide and to decrease socioeconomic burden of tuberculosis, particularly in the context of HIV co-infection.
Designing effective Gram negative bacterial vaccines. There is a need for the development of novel vaccines for use in animals and humans. This project will to address this need by studying the functions of bacterial 'blebs' as potent inducers of the host immune system and by developing these nano-sized particles for use as safe and cost-effective vaccine candidates.
Impact Of Pneumococcal Vaccination And Environmental Factors On Pneumococcal Carriage And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,872.00
Summary
Pneumonia is the leading killer of children <5y of age worldwide, and the pneumococcal bacterium is a common cause. Pneumococci are carried in the noses of healthy children. In this project we will determine 1) whether carriage can be used to monitor the impact of vaccination in resource-poor settings, 2) the effect of new vaccines on ear disease and transmission using infant mouse models and 3) if exposure to smoke effects the ability of pneumococci to cause disease and altered gene expressi ....Pneumonia is the leading killer of children <5y of age worldwide, and the pneumococcal bacterium is a common cause. Pneumococci are carried in the noses of healthy children. In this project we will determine 1) whether carriage can be used to monitor the impact of vaccination in resource-poor settings, 2) the effect of new vaccines on ear disease and transmission using infant mouse models and 3) if exposure to smoke effects the ability of pneumococci to cause disease and altered gene expression.Read moreRead less
Identification of novel antigens for vaccination and immunotherapy against the human gastric pathogen, Helicobacter pylori. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is a significant human pathogen which infects the stomach where it is the major cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers, plus two types of cancer. This project proposes to utilise a novel strategy to identify potential vaccine targets on the bacterial surface with the aim to develop an effective vaccine against this organism. Such a vaccine wo ....Identification of novel antigens for vaccination and immunotherapy against the human gastric pathogen, Helicobacter pylori. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is a significant human pathogen which infects the stomach where it is the major cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers, plus two types of cancer. This project proposes to utilise a novel strategy to identify potential vaccine targets on the bacterial surface with the aim to develop an effective vaccine against this organism. Such a vaccine would protect against the development of stomach cancer, hence saving lives, plus significantly reduce the incidence of stomach ulcers, thereby reducing suffering of individuals and providing financial benefits to employers.Read moreRead less
Targeting Nucleic Acid Synthesis And Cell Division In Gram-negative Bacterial Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$966,800.00
Summary
Some bacteria like Acinetobacter species cause infections in hospitals that are difficult to treat because they have acquired resistance to most antibiotics. This project will combine the complementary expertise of five research groups to develop knowledge of, and how to block, three essential processes in these worrying pathogenic species: copying of DNA, RNA synthesis, and cell division. This promises to lead to development of new antibacterial therapies.