Elucidation Of Immune Mechanisms Underlying HSV Vaccine Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$573,993.00
Summary
HSV-1 and -2 causes genital herpes, cold sores, encephalitis, potential fatal neonatal herpes, keratitis and blindness as well as severe disease in transplant patients. HSV infection also enhances the acquisition of HIV by 2-3 fold. Investigating the mechanism of immune response to HSV infection or components of HSV will assist in understanding immune control of HSV, HSV vaccine development, and assist in reducing in HIV spread.
A Transmission-Blocking Vaccine To Prevent Toxoplasmosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,225.00
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii causes a globally important zoonotic disease. It is transmitted by cats, and finds its way into our food chain via infected meat and contaminated water. We have used a unique functional genomics pipeline to discover proteins crucial for reproduction of Toxoplasma in the cat. We will now test combinations of these proteins to immunise cats and prove that we can develop a vaccine that blocks transmission of this highly significant parasitic disease.
Group A Streptococcal Human Challenge Study: Accelerating Vaccine Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,018,741.00
Summary
Infection with group A streptococcus (GAS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, including in the Aboriginal population of Australia. Concerted efforts for vaccine development have been hampered by the absence of a suitable animal model. To address this critical knowledge gap we propose to develop a controlled human infection model of GAS infection. This model will provide a direct pathway for the future appraisal of novel GAS vaccines.
Developing And Implementing Systems To Optimise Treatment, Care And Support Among People Diagnosed With HIV
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,021,439.00
Summary
Immediate treatment of people diagnosed with HIV infection has become a key public health intervention, based on recent evidence confirming treatment suppresses the virus to undetectable levels, and effectively eliminates the risk of transmission to sexual partners. Our partnership will identify and address barriers to accessing specialist HIV care and starting treatment among people recently diagnosed with HIV, and will contribute to Australia’s goal of ending HIV transmission by 2020.
TB is a global public health problem, responsible for the deaths of 2 million children and young adults annually. Drug resistant strains of TB are emerging and pose a threat even in countries where TB is well controlled, such as Australia. Research undertaken in this CRE will translate into improved treatments, diagnostics and strategies to prevent transmission. The CRE will build capacity for research on TB in our region and provide a legal framework to support public health policy.
HIV Assembly, Transport, Egress And Transfer From Infected Dendritic Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,629.00
Summary
HIV-AIDS is the fourth leading killing disease worldwide, with the disease burden shifting towards women. Study of the HIV life cycle in cells known to be targetted during HIV transmission is key towards designing additional preventative measures in the form of topical gels known as microbicides. Mapping of the basic pathways of viral transport within such cells, will aid further drug discovery and-or appropriateness of use of existing drugs in microbicide formulations.
Modelling The Interaction Between Sexually Transmitted Infections And HIV Transmission To Inform Public Health Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$543,624.00
Summary
Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV. Using mathematical models the population level effects of this increased risk will be investigated. This work will inform the design of effective and efficient STI treatment programs that aim to reduce the number of HIV infections in Australian gay men, prevent HIV epidemics in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities, and slow the growth of HIV in Papua New Guinea.
The Centre will enhance Australian clinical immunisation research and training, focussing upon clinical questions with translatable outcomes not easily addressed by industry. Optimal immunisation and interventions to maximise uptake of existing and new vaccines in high risk patient groups, such as children with cancer, immigrants, children with chronic diseases and adolescents will be studied. New vaccine trials, innovative use of existing vaccines, systematic collection of vaccine failure data, ....The Centre will enhance Australian clinical immunisation research and training, focussing upon clinical questions with translatable outcomes not easily addressed by industry. Optimal immunisation and interventions to maximise uptake of existing and new vaccines in high risk patient groups, such as children with cancer, immigrants, children with chronic diseases and adolescents will be studied. New vaccine trials, innovative use of existing vaccines, systematic collection of vaccine failure data, and targeted epidemiology and disease modelling vaccine preventable disease will also allow a broad program of research, enabling training and mentoring of young clinical nurse and physician researchers. Collaborations with existing national immunisation, infectious diseases and research institutions will allow maximal effectiveness of clinical studies.Read moreRead less
The Interaction Between Sexually Transmissible Infections And Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection In Homosexual Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$635,931.00
Summary
This project examines the inter-relationship between HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in homosexual men. The overall goal of the projet is to inform the development of STI prevention and treatment strategies which may be important in reducing HIV incidence in this population. Homosexual men comprise over 80% of people diagnosed with HIV infecton in Australia, and in many developed nations are one of the largest groups affected by HIV. Rates of other STIs are also increase ....This project examines the inter-relationship between HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in homosexual men. The overall goal of the projet is to inform the development of STI prevention and treatment strategies which may be important in reducing HIV incidence in this population. Homosexual men comprise over 80% of people diagnosed with HIV infecton in Australia, and in many developed nations are one of the largest groups affected by HIV. Rates of other STIs are also increased in homosexual men. Currently, HIV rates are increasing in Australia and in many developed countries. We are in need of new and effective methods of HIV prevention. Data in heterosexuals suggest that where STIs are common, the early detection and treatment of these infections may help reduce HIV incidence. There are few data on this relationship in homosexual men. We propose to utilise an existing Sydney cohort of homosexual men to collect data on biologic tests for STIs, history of recent diagnosis of STIs, and symptoms, to allow a comprehensive description of the epidemiology of STIs and their overlap with HIV. The quality of data on the interaction between HIV and STIs in this cohort will be superior to any previously collected in homosexual men, as it will include data on self-reported doctor diagnosed illness, state of the art biologic testing, and symptom data, for the full spectrum of important STIs. The results of this study will be helpful in determining strategies for HIV and STI screening, education and control in the population which comprises the great majority of cases of HIV infection in Australia, and one of the largest risk groups for HIV infection in the developed world. Screening coupled with treatment of asymptomatic STIs may be an effective new approach to HIV prevention in this population.Read moreRead less