A specialised set of T lymphocytes called Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells react against bacteria and yeast, and reside at mucosal sites where the body's immune defences are most easily breached, e.g. respiratory tract and intestinal mucosa. This study investigates the role of MAIT cells in both protection and pathology in bacterial infections. Controlling MAIT cells could help in treating these conditions.
Developmental-associated Dysregulation Of Innate Anti-microbial Immunity In Early Life As A Determinant Of Susceptibility To Atopic Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,334.00
Summary
Previous NHMRC-sponsored research from the applicants has demonstrated that one of the strongest risk factors for subsequent development of asthma is having chest infections during infancy that are so severe that they trigger symptoms of fever and wheeze. It is not known what predisposes susceptible infants to these severe infections, and this project will attempt to define the mechanisms of susceptibility.
The Importance Of Neutrophil Plasticity In Early Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Lung disease is a lifelong problem for people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Blood immune cells called neutrophils swarm the lung and cause ongoing damage. No treatments exist because how CF lungs talk to neutrophils is poorly understood. I will apply new skills from an international neutrophil expert to study samples from AREST CF, a world leading CF research group. This unique combination will recreate the early CF lung in the laboratory, testing triggers of CF lung disease and potential drugs.
Epithelial Drivers Of Neutrophil Plasticity In Early Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$849,462.00
Summary
Why airway inflammation becomes chronic so early in life for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) is unclear. This project will use the latest techniques to characterise immune cells found in airways of infants with CF and model in the laboratory how immune cells react to the CF airway. We will challenge CF airway cells with different bugs that can infect the lung, then see if the responses by CF airway cells can change the normal response of immune cells, triggering chronic disease.
Using Systems Biology To Understand Asthma Exacerbations And Develop Better Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$791,734.00
Summary
Our research using cutting-edge technology has demonstrated that not all asthma attacks are the same. There are two major subtypes of asthma attacks. Currently, we use the same medication to treat all asthma attacks, and this medication targets the symptoms rather than the cause. This research will conduct detailed laboratory studies to understand what causes the two different types of asthma attacks, and test new treatments that are targeted and tailored to each type of asthma attack.
Eliminating Hepatitis C Transmission By Enhancing Hepatitis C Care And Treatment In Primary Health Care Settings.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,221,831.00
Summary
In developed countries, people who inject drugs (PWID) are the group at greatest risk of hepatitis C (HCV) infection but few PWID receive HCV treatment. With the advent of highly effective non-interferon based treatments HCV elimination, although ambitious, is now being seriously considered globally. This partnership grant will explore the feasibility of eliminating HCV transmission by enhancing HCV care and treatment for PWID in primary health care settings.
Antigen Presentation, Recognition And The Immune Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$15,780,848.00
Summary
This program focuses on understanding the development of immune response to viruses and other infectious agents using a broad array of techniques to dissect the function of various immune cell types and to explore the relationship between structure and function of important cell surface molecules. These studies will improve our ability to design new generation vaccines for combating infectious diseases, controlling cancer, or limiting autoimmune diseases like diabetes.
Arbovirus Activation And Modulation Of NLRP3 Inflammasome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$779,720.00
Summary
This project aims to establish how mosquito borne viruses such as Ross River and dengue viruses interacts with the human host to cause disease, including how the virus evades the host’s immune response to persist and cause disease for prolonged periods. Knowing how differences in the virus and the host’s immune system interplay to cause asymptomatic to severely disabling disease will assist in devising new treatments and prevention programs to lessen the impact of these diseases in Australia.
Mosquito-borne alphaviruses such as Ross River and chikungunya viruses cause widespread epidemics and exert extreme pressure on the public health systems of affected regions. Alphaviruses spreads to joints and triggers a severe disease in those affected. There are no effective treatments or vaccines. The project will investigate virus-host interaction at the bite site. The outcome will be new knowledge to treat infection at the mosquito bite site to prevent joint disease.
Using Total Population Data To Describe The Characteristics Of Respiratory Infections In Order To Predict Future Epidemics And Recommend Vaccination Strategies For Western Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,892.00
Summary
Respiratory infections are a major reason for children to go to hospital. I am an epidemiologist and I will be using previously collected and linked laboratory and hospital data from Western Australian children to better understand how these infections flow through the population over different seasons. I will then be able to predict future epidemics of respiratory infections and how different vaccine programs might have an impact in reducing how many children are affected by these infections.