Characterize The Post-entry Events Of HIV Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,190.00
Summary
For HIV to successful infect a target cell, it must properly remove the outer layers of its protective gears (outer viral protein coats) to allow the viral genetic materials to be replicate (duplicate and multiplied) for the generation of their ‘offspring viruses’. This process is known as viral uncoating, and it is arguably one of the least understood areas of HIV. In this proposal, we will use a number of complementary state-of-the-arts research tools to characterize the HIV uncoating process.
A Novel RNA Repressor Element Regulates HIV-1 Replication
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,453.00
Summary
HIV-1 causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, with up to 40 million infected people and 5 million infected annually. The spatio-temporal regulation of HIV-1 reverse transcription has recently been recognised as a possible new drug target. Our research has revealed a novel repressor of reverse transcripiton (RRT). The RRT plays a major role in regulating the spatio-temporal regulation of reverse transcripiton. Targetting the RRT function would be a novel means to combat HIV-1 infection.
Addressing The Major Challenges In HIV Vaccine And Cure Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$16,136,755.00
Summary
HIV remains one of the defining global health challenge of our times. 37 million people are living with HIV with 2 million new infections each year. Despite advances in management of HIV infection with antiretroviral therapy, there is still no cure, no effective vaccine, and several co-infections reduce life expectancy. This program assembles Australia’s leading HIV researchers to use innovative basic and translational science to tackle priority areas in controlling the HIV epidemic.
Chronic Active Viral Persistence Versus Host Immune Mediated Pathology: An Analysis And Manipulation Of The Balance.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,658.00
Summary
Our robust ability to mount an immune response and clear infections is tempered by the possibility of promoting autoimmunity. Several host genes regulate immunity. Viruses like HIV have exploited these to abrogate antiviral immunity. This project attempts to define host factors that promote chronic infection. This will be extremely valuable in understanding the vulnerabilities of our immune system and provide an insight into how we can treat chronic infections.
Even in well-resourced countries, the ability to continue treating HIV patients for their lifetime may become unaffordable, which has focused attention on developing a cure for HIV. We have exploited unique insights into a pathway for Tat expression from latent HIV to identify novel compounds that target HIV latency. This project assembles a multidisciplinary team to optimize the lead compounds, and develop novel drug regimens to fast-track into clinical development as a HIV-curative therapy.
Clearing Chronic Infectious Diseases – Enhancing Host Immune Effector Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
Chronic infections produced by pathogens such as HIV, overwhelm our immune system leading to an exhausted state where cells responsible for the clearance of invading microorganisms are unable to respond effectively. We have recently identified a highly promising therapeutic target that enhances immune effector function. We seek to understand the underlying mechanism, and to explore the therapeutic potential of this approach for the treatment of a broad range of pathogens, including those respons ....Chronic infections produced by pathogens such as HIV, overwhelm our immune system leading to an exhausted state where cells responsible for the clearance of invading microorganisms are unable to respond effectively. We have recently identified a highly promising therapeutic target that enhances immune effector function. We seek to understand the underlying mechanism, and to explore the therapeutic potential of this approach for the treatment of a broad range of pathogens, including those responsible for chronic disease.Read moreRead less
Leaving No One Behind: Community-driven Approaches To Eliminate HIV In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,562,250.00
Summary
Eliminating HIV from Australia is possible with effective HIV prevention methods like treatment as prevention (TasP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However there are inequities in our HIV response with declines of new infections in Australian-born men who have sex with men but not in overseas-born Australian men. This program uses crowdsourcing (sharing solutions from the community to eliminate HIV) and evaluates the value of the proposed solutions, to inform HIV policy.
The Role Of Stellate Cells In Fibrosis And Liver Disease Progression In HIV-Hepatitis B Co-infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$157,292.00
Summary
Liver related mortality is the commonest cause of non-AIDS death in HIV infected individuals on treatment. With HIV, HBV liver damage is accelerated and liver-related mortality increased. Understanding how and why is critical to management. I will examine the role of hepatic stellate cells using in vitro models and directly ex vivo from infected patient biopsy tissue. I will investigate the activated of these cells by HIV and HBV infection, thus promoting scar formation with liver injury.
Targeting Host Pathogen Interactions And Signalling Networks To Promote Death Of Infected Cells And Facilitate Pathogen Clearance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Preclinical models of infectious diseases including hepatitis B, HIV, tuberculosis and human herpes virus infections will be used to understand how pathogens interact with host cells. With this understanding we aim to identify which host cell signalling pathways play a critical role in limiting or faciliating pathogen persistence. After identifying the important cellular pathways we aim to target these host cell signalling components with clinical stage drugs to promote pathogen clearance.
Prevention Of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) And Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) In Victoria's Vulnerable Populations: The Impact Of Early And Regular Testing.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,183.00
Summary
The primary aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between early and regular testing of STIs and BBVs and transmission outcomes to inform effective strategies to prevent ongoing transmission of STIs and BBVs in at-risk populations. Specifically it will examine HIV, chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Victoria. This project will aim to identify prevention and health promotion strategies and methods of implementation to reduce the individual an ....The primary aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between early and regular testing of STIs and BBVs and transmission outcomes to inform effective strategies to prevent ongoing transmission of STIs and BBVs in at-risk populations. Specifically it will examine HIV, chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Victoria. This project will aim to identify prevention and health promotion strategies and methods of implementation to reduce the individual and community cost associated with STIs and BBVs.Read moreRead less