The Structural Basis Of T Cell Recognition In The Context Of Lipid Presentation And The CD1 Isoforms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
CD1 molecules are critical in our host-defence against microbial pathogens. They survey our body for microbial lipids and then present them to our immune system for surveillance by T cell receptors. We aim to understand how a T cell receptor interacts with a CD1-lipid molecule. This interaction is crucial to the activation of our immune response and hence the elimination of the microbe. Once understood, this interaction can potentially be modified and has immunotherapeutic potential.
A Transgenic Approach To Rationale Drug Design In Plasmodium Falciparum
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,872.00
Summary
Malaria is a disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. It is responsible for more than 2 million deaths per year predominately in Sub-Saharan Africa. Many of the currently used drugs to combat this disease are failing through drug resistance in the parasite population. New and novel drugs are urgently required. This project uses state of the art techniques to identify and validate new and novel targets within the parasite that can be used for rational drug design
Minimising Infection Risks Associated With Water Exposure And With International Travel: Addressing Data Gaps To Improve Policy And Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
This project will provide better understanding of health risks associated with two areas of infectious diseases: i) exposure to water, including water recycling and ii) imported infections associated with international travel. Both these issues are highly topical, and new information about exposure risks is important to help guide appropriate preventive advice.
Environmental And Host Contributors To Infectious Health Threats And Burden Of Infectious Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,712.00
Summary
Infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. I will undertake research in a number of areas, with a focuses on: i)Imported infections: My lead role in and access to a global network of sites that track infections among travellers and immigrants will enable study of emerging priority issues among mobile populations. ii)Waterborne risks: I will perform studies to identify optimal strategies for improving water supply and associated health impacts in developing countries.
Novel Insights Into The Mechanisms Of How Viruses Cause Arthritis/Arthralgia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$78,187.00
Summary
Viruses cause many diseases today and new viruses emerge to post threats to future health and well being. The proposed work investigates how viruses cause disease in people, particularly how viral infections can lead to arthritis or muscle pain. This understanding will be used in the development of new prevention strategies and treatments.
Defining The Role Of Plasminogen Activation In Group A Streptococcal Invasive Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,763.00
Summary
The "flesh-eating" bacteria group A streptococcus (GAS) causes life threatening invasive diseases such as necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome (>600,000 cases and 163,000 deaths per year). For some types of GAS, plasminogen binding is essential for virulence.The aim of this work is to determine the extent to which plasminogen binding contributes to disease caused by highly virulent GAS. These studies will allow the development of new therapeutics and treatments.