Using molecular tools to understand and control the transmission of Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium is the major public health concern of water utilities as the parasite has a global impact on the health and survival of millions of people and animals worldwide. It is resistant to chlorine and there are no effective drugs against it. Control strategies therefore rely on understanding how it is transmitted. This project will conduct a comprehensive study utilising molecular tools to determine if ....Using molecular tools to understand and control the transmission of Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium is the major public health concern of water utilities as the parasite has a global impact on the health and survival of millions of people and animals worldwide. It is resistant to chlorine and there are no effective drugs against it. Control strategies therefore rely on understanding how it is transmitted. This project will conduct a comprehensive study utilising molecular tools to determine if the Cryptosporidium in humans is the same as that derived from water contamination sources (animals, sewage etc). The outcomes of this project will result in the development of more targeted, cost-effective preventive measures to minimize exposures to infections, accurate risk assessment, and scientific management of the watershed.Read moreRead less
The biosynthesis of structural proteins in parasites. The socio-economic impact of parasitic diseases, in Australia and throughout the world, is enormous- they kill 2-3 million people per year and cost livestock industries billions of dollars per annum. Some are serious food and waterborne threats, such as the coccidia, because they are transmitted from person-to-person via the faecal-oral route, or via ingestion of contaminated water or food, or through the ingestion of cysts in raw or underco ....The biosynthesis of structural proteins in parasites. The socio-economic impact of parasitic diseases, in Australia and throughout the world, is enormous- they kill 2-3 million people per year and cost livestock industries billions of dollars per annum. Some are serious food and waterborne threats, such as the coccidia, because they are transmitted from person-to-person via the faecal-oral route, or via ingestion of contaminated water or food, or through the ingestion of cysts in raw or undercooked meat. They cause diarrhoea, which in some cases, can be life-threatening. We will understand how the coccidia protect themselves as they move from host to host and, through that understanding, develop new ways to control them and eliminate the suffering caused by parasitic diseases.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101701
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
A porcine model to provide new insights on scabies immunopathology. Scabies is a poorly understood parasitic disease of medical and veterinary significance. This project will use a world-first experimental model to investigate the progression of host immune responses in scabies, which will enable the development of new control strategies for this neglected disease.
Parasite virulence: the role of activation and suppression of P2X7 receptors. Toxoplasmosis and leishmaniasis pose a threat to the health and well-being of the Australian human and animal populations. Around 6-8 million Australians are infected with Toxoplasma, a parasite that can cause severe problems in immunosuppressed individuals and birth defects and miscarriage in pregnant women with a primary infection. Toxoplasmosis is also the main cause of abortion and stillbirth in Australian sheep. L ....Parasite virulence: the role of activation and suppression of P2X7 receptors. Toxoplasmosis and leishmaniasis pose a threat to the health and well-being of the Australian human and animal populations. Around 6-8 million Australians are infected with Toxoplasma, a parasite that can cause severe problems in immunosuppressed individuals and birth defects and miscarriage in pregnant women with a primary infection. Toxoplasmosis is also the main cause of abortion and stillbirth in Australian sheep. Leishmaniasis, recently found in Australia, is a risk for overseas travellers, livestock and wildlife. This research will provide an understanding of what makes these parasites successful, paving the way for development of novel drugs to combat these chronic diseases.Read moreRead less
Immunological mechanisms underlying the protective immune responses induced by botulinum oil adjuvanted vaccine. Botulism is recognised as an important bacterial pathogen in commercial beef cattle in Australia and around the world. Development of affective, well-researched vaccine against Clostridium botulinum is a high priority for the cattle industry. A novel oil adjuvanted vaccine (Singvac from Fort Dodge Pty Ltd) has advantage over conventional vaccines as it provides full protection follo ....Immunological mechanisms underlying the protective immune responses induced by botulinum oil adjuvanted vaccine. Botulism is recognised as an important bacterial pathogen in commercial beef cattle in Australia and around the world. Development of affective, well-researched vaccine against Clostridium botulinum is a high priority for the cattle industry. A novel oil adjuvanted vaccine (Singvac from Fort Dodge Pty Ltd) has advantage over conventional vaccines as it provides full protection following a single administration. The aims of this study are to investigate the immunological mechanisms underlying the protective response by this novel vaccine using bovine and murine models. This study will discover new control measures for botulism in Australia.Read moreRead less
Structural and functional alteration of red blood cells by Babesia parasites. Cattle Tick Fever caused by Babesia parasites causes significant economic loss to the Australian livestock industry. New approaches to prevent this disease are urgently needed but this requires greater knowledge of how the parasites cause disease in cattle. By identifying novel proteins involved in the disease process we will be able to make better vaccines and drugs and save the Australian livestock industry millions ....Structural and functional alteration of red blood cells by Babesia parasites. Cattle Tick Fever caused by Babesia parasites causes significant economic loss to the Australian livestock industry. New approaches to prevent this disease are urgently needed but this requires greater knowledge of how the parasites cause disease in cattle. By identifying novel proteins involved in the disease process we will be able to make better vaccines and drugs and save the Australian livestock industry millions of dollars each year.Read moreRead less
Prevention and treatment of chlamydiosis and cryptococcosis in koalas. This project aims to generate increased understanding of the aetiology and pathogenesis of the two most prevalent and debilitating infectious diseases of koalas to make improved decisions regarding therapeutic intervention, prevention and management. Chlamydiosis, caused by two chlamydial bacteria, affects koala fertility, urinary tract function and eyesight. Cryptococcosis, caused by the fungus Cryptococcus gattii, may resul ....Prevention and treatment of chlamydiosis and cryptococcosis in koalas. This project aims to generate increased understanding of the aetiology and pathogenesis of the two most prevalent and debilitating infectious diseases of koalas to make improved decisions regarding therapeutic intervention, prevention and management. Chlamydiosis, caused by two chlamydial bacteria, affects koala fertility, urinary tract function and eyesight. Cryptococcosis, caused by the fungus Cryptococcus gattii, may result in koala morbidity and death. Planned therapeutic trials, prevention strategies and the development of optimal husbandry strategies will provide knowledge that will lead to reduced koala morbidity through improved understanding of the interactions amongst infectious pathogens, the animal host and the environment.Read moreRead less
Linking immunomodulation and latency in alphaherpesvirus infection. Herpesviruses cause major diseases in humans and all domestic animal species. Latency forms a significant part of the evolutionary success of herpesviruses, by enabling transmission of the virus throughout the lifetime of the host. Our work has shown that an alphaherpesvirus protein can divert the host’s immune response to become more antibody-mediated and less T cell-mediated. This study explores the consequences of this immune ....Linking immunomodulation and latency in alphaherpesvirus infection. Herpesviruses cause major diseases in humans and all domestic animal species. Latency forms a significant part of the evolutionary success of herpesviruses, by enabling transmission of the virus throughout the lifetime of the host. Our work has shown that an alphaherpesvirus protein can divert the host’s immune response to become more antibody-mediated and less T cell-mediated. This study explores the consequences of this immune diversion, and examines whether this reduced T cell response enables the development of latent infections. Disrupting the virus-host balance by alterations to this conserved viral protein will enable novel approaches to controlling these economically significant viruses.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354888
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$30,000.00
Summary
Australian Research Council Research Network for Parasitology. Parasites are a major cause of death and suffering in humans and animals throughout the world. The ARC Research Network for Parasitology aims to bring together Australia's finest researchers and establish a world class environment and web of facilities that attracts and retains the most talented young investigators and places Australia in a strong position to deal with current and future parasitological threats. The Network will focu ....Australian Research Council Research Network for Parasitology. Parasites are a major cause of death and suffering in humans and animals throughout the world. The ARC Research Network for Parasitology aims to bring together Australia's finest researchers and establish a world class environment and web of facilities that attracts and retains the most talented young investigators and places Australia in a strong position to deal with current and future parasitological threats. The Network will focus and enhance Australia's fundamental, strategic and applied parasitology research capabilities to :
(1) develop new approaches to vaccination;
(2) identify novel drug targets; and
(3) ensure the sustainability of wildlife and ecosystem health.
Read moreRead less
Catchment sources of microorganisms - developing an integrated strategy for the sustained prevention of waterborne disease outbreaks in humans in Melbourne. This project will develop a quality scientific and technological program in national priority areas, leading to strong basic research and development of new concepts. It will enhance collaborative links between academia and industry as well as between basic and applied research. Development of pan-Australian collaboration will result in a mo ....Catchment sources of microorganisms - developing an integrated strategy for the sustained prevention of waterborne disease outbreaks in humans in Melbourne. This project will develop a quality scientific and technological program in national priority areas, leading to strong basic research and development of new concepts. It will enhance collaborative links between academia and industry as well as between basic and applied research. Development of pan-Australian collaboration will result in a more efficient use of resources in national and international contexts; enhance the skills-base in biology, biotechnology and bioinformatics; and increase global visibility potentially increasing investment in Australian science. It will result in improved surveillance and prevention of waterborne diseases; providing tangible outcomes with benefits to the water industry in regional and rural communities.Read moreRead less