Understanding The Factors Governing Susceptibility And Outcome In Childhood Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,122.00
Summary
This research seeks to understand why a minority of children are prone to severe and often life-threatening infections and inflammation. It focusses on infections both in preterm infants and in later childhood, which may also be relevant to understanding atherosclerosis. I am also interested in improving the health of recently arrived refugees, by conducting research that allows the development of evidence-based health interventions and developing national policy on refugee health.
Characterisation Of The Genetic Networks Underlying Macrophage Differentiation And The Resolution Of Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,000.00
Summary
Chronic inflammation is a central player in many common diseases, impacting on the health and well being of millions of Australians. By using innovative genomic approaches to build a map of all of the gene products involved in the inflammatory process, this project aims to identify which are the critical molecules that normally switch off inflammation. Our ultimate aim is to develop new approaches to treating inflammatory disease.
Development Of Genomic Tools For Precision Medicine In Infectious Disease And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
I will develop tools for precision medicine in cancer and infectious disease. In infectious disease, these tools will provide rapid diagnosis of bacterial infection as well as the characterization of drug resistance, which will mean clinicians can give the correct antibiotic the first time. In cancer, it will provide tools for identifying the type of cancer present in a patient, and for identifying the likely response to different treatment options on the basis of which genes are switched-on
Post-genomic Surveillance For Communicable Disease Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
Genomic surveillance is now at the forefront of translational research due to recent significant advances in genomics and informatics, increasing demands for rapid detection of outbreaks and transformational impact of culture-independent testing on public health. This multi-disciplinary research will redefine existing paradigms, develop and evaluate novel systems for laboratory surveillance and offer insights into transmission dynamics of high-burden pathogens for Australia.
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.
Evolutionary Events Shaping The Genome Of Cryptococcus Neoformans And Their Effects On Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
Recurring infection in patients with fungal meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans is typically caused by persistence of the original infection rather than reinfection with a new strain. Our analysis of relapse strains shows that small-scale alterations frequently occur at the chromosome ends - regions containing important pathogenesis-related genes in other pathogens. We seek to characterise this microevolution further to understand how it contributes to the success of this pathogen.