Development Of A Novel Mannan-based Avian Influenza Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$195,566.00
Summary
We have a sugar (mannan) that can be used to increase immune responses. We have found that mannan decreases the dose of inactivated virus needed for intranasal immunization. We will investigate if dose sparing is seen when given intramuscularly. This method will be first tried with the human flu virus and if successful will be tried with the bird flu virus. If the preparation can protect mice and ferrets from human or bird flu infection it could develop into a human vaccine against bird flu.
Development Of A Vaccine For Genital Chlamydial Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$207,551.00
Summary
Genital Chlamydia infections are the most common sexually transmitted infection in Australia with annual health costs of 90-160 million dollars. Infection rates in 15-29 olds are increasing at 15-20% per year. Antibiotics are currently the treatment of choice, however antibiotic resistance is increasing and most infections are asymptomatic and not treated in the absence of screening programs. This project aims to develop a genital Chlamydia vaccine using a combination of novel antigens.
CHARACTERIZATION AND PURIFICATION OF A NOVEL ANTI-HIV FACTOR
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,810.00
Summary
We have identified biological evidence for a novel anti-HIV factor in a patient who has not progressed to HIV disease in 22 years. We have identified active forms in a solution, which confer potent activity against HIV. This factor helps in creating the pool of specialized antigen presenting cells, which are vital to combating with HIV in vivo. We propose to characterize this factor biologically, proteomically and genomically.
Cellular And Molecular Mechanisms Of Transcutaneous Immunisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,490.00
Summary
Vaccines are among the most effective medical interventions. The recent discovery that cholera toxin, when applied to the normal skin of humans and laboratory animals, stimulates powerful and protective immune responses to itself, and to other proteins has opened up the possibility of needle-free vaccines in the form of skin patches. How CT brings about this effect is currently unknown. We have discovered that the immune stimulating effect of CT depends upon the production of an immune protein ( ....Vaccines are among the most effective medical interventions. The recent discovery that cholera toxin, when applied to the normal skin of humans and laboratory animals, stimulates powerful and protective immune responses to itself, and to other proteins has opened up the possibility of needle-free vaccines in the form of skin patches. How CT brings about this effect is currently unknown. We have discovered that the immune stimulating effect of CT depends upon the production of an immune protein (cytokine) called tumour necrosis factor (TNF). TNF is known to activate specialised immune cells within the skin (Langerhan's Cells ) and we hypothesise that the interaction beween CT and LC via TNF is the pathway to the potent immune response. In this project we propose to investigate the cells and molecules involved in the immune effects of CT in the skin with a view to the development of new skin based vaccine strategies.Read moreRead less
The Development Of A Cross-strain And Cross-subtype Pre Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Using Savine Technology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$159,500.00
Summary
The flu vaccines in use today work by inducing antibodies to surface proteins. Flu causes disease every year but occasionally a new strain arises that is distincly differnet from previous strains and can cause wides spread disease and deaths worldwide. Our new approach is to increase the level of T cells that can recognise and kill flu infected cells from all flu strains.
Construction And Immunogenic Evaluation Of Recombinant HBsAg-S Virus-like Particles Containing B And T Cell Epitopes Of
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,000.00
Summary
Helicobacter pylori is a significant human pathogen impacting on the health and well being of not only thousands of Australians, but also millions of people world-wide. However, the task of developing a vaccine against H. pylori remains important. Vaccination is the most effective mechanism to prevent disease associated with this infection, particularly gastric cancer, one of the most common causes of cancer death world-wide. However, current attempts to develop an effective vaccine for humans h ....Helicobacter pylori is a significant human pathogen impacting on the health and well being of not only thousands of Australians, but also millions of people world-wide. However, the task of developing a vaccine against H. pylori remains important. Vaccination is the most effective mechanism to prevent disease associated with this infection, particularly gastric cancer, one of the most common causes of cancer death world-wide. However, current attempts to develop an effective vaccine for humans has been limited by the non-availability of an effective and safe adjuvant. The aim is to construct a recombinant Virus-Like Particle which can be used as a safe and effective vaccine against Helicobacter pylori infections. We specifically aim to: · determine the most efficacious singular or combinatorial route-s of delivery of Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) which will induce the desired Th2 and B cell responses in mice · define the Th2 and B cell epitopes of H.pylori Kat A carboxyl terminus that can be used to construct chimeric HBsAg-S-Kat A VLPs · determine if the induction of desired immunological responses in mice are protective against wild type challengeRead moreRead less
A New Non-invasive Diagnostic Technique Based On Detection Of Exhaled Respiratory Pathogens.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$179,300.00
Summary
We developed a special collection mask and showed that the breath of people with colds or flu contains a tiny amount of virus. Currently, diagnostic samples are collected by putting a tube into the airways - this is very uncomfortable. Our masks may provide a new and more comfortable way to diagnose lung infections. We want to build better masks and ways to detect viruses and bacteria to test out this method. This may create a new test that will improve diagnosis and treatment.
A Novel Vaccine Platform For Trimeric Envelope Proteins: HIV-1 Envelope
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$139,250.00
Summary
Vaccines are urgently needed for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The design of this vaccine candidate is based on the display of HIV-1 envelope spikes using a related primate retrovirus envelope with a more stable assembly to anchor the the spikes in a particle.
Performance And Safety Testing Of The BioQ Cardiac Assist System In A Chronic Ovine Heart Failure Animal Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$142,800.00
Summary
This proposal will test a novel cardiac assist system in safety and performance studies using a chronic sheep heart failure model. This device has been tested in cardiovascular simulators and in an acute animal model showing attractive proof-of-concept data. Specifically, the device increased left coronary artery blood flow and reduced aortic pulse and mean pressures using our novel self-powered fully implantable stand alone device, a potential therapy treatment for heart failure.
The Effect Of Stress/strain And Fatigue Fracture Sites On Durability Of Modular Aortic Endografts And Arterial Walls
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,919.00
Summary
Aneurysmal disease is an age related phenomenon. The mean life expectancy of western populations has doubled in 100 years because of the reduction in deaths from preventable and treatable diseases, and prolongation of life with chronic and incurable diseases. The older community (>65 years) continues to be active and productive contrary to prior predictions. Aneurysmal disease has emerged as a result of the changing pattern of diseases in the community. As with many other diseases, prophylaxi ....Aneurysmal disease is an age related phenomenon. The mean life expectancy of western populations has doubled in 100 years because of the reduction in deaths from preventable and treatable diseases, and prolongation of life with chronic and incurable diseases. The older community (>65 years) continues to be active and productive contrary to prior predictions. Aneurysmal disease has emerged as a result of the changing pattern of diseases in the community. As with many other diseases, prophylaxis against aneurysmal disease is the most effective approach since 80% of those that rupture will result in death. Endoluminal grafting provides a much less invasive procedure and provides an attractive and elegant alternative to open surgery. The danger is that structural strengths will be compromised with failures due to lack of strength and inadequate device durability. The most practical endografts are those that are built up from modules but vulnerable sites affected by fatiguing and disruptive forces are being identified, in particular where a tube divides into two outflow channels – the bifurcation - and joins. To improve and protect the current device, and enable sound engineering for future devices, we need to know the nature, magnitude and location of these forces. The existing collaboration with medical specialist, Cook Aust., the Advanced Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (CSIRO, Melb.) and University of WA combines a multidisciplinary team working towards the design and durability of the next generation of endoluminal devices and percutaneous insertions. While Australia is at the forefront of development, its current place in the market can only be maintained by further product development. Optimising and improving endoluminal grafts will reduce the suffering of major surgery while prolonging a higher quality of life with a much less invasive procedure whose long-term effectiveness, and thereby acceptance is dependent upon reliable durability.Read moreRead less