Mechanisms Of In Vivo Modulation Of Granulomatous Inflammation In Human Schistosomiasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,598.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis is a serious parasitic disease responsible for up to 300,000 deaths annually. The cause are blood flukes that produce considerable disease severity, resulting from host inflammation against the parasite eggs lodging in the liver, giving rise to fibrosis, liver damage, enlarged spleen and death. The pathogenesis is regulated by molecules called cytokines and this project will unravel the mechanisms that regulate disease progression to the severe forms of chronic schistosomiasis.
Helminth Secretomes: From Vaccines To Novel Anti-inflammatory Biologics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$938,910.00
Summary
Billions of people in developing countries are infected with parasitic worms, but they have been eradicated from industrialised nations. Humans co-evolved with worms, so their recent removal has deprived us of signals required to keep inflammation in check. My research focuses on worm molecules that can be used to (1) develop vaccines to combat these parasitic infections in developing countries, and (2) as a novel platform of anti-inflammatory therapeutics for use in industrialised nations.
‘Intelligent’ Antibacterial Coatings For Improving Outcomes With Infections Associated With Dialysis Catheters
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$653,806.00
Summary
The outcomes of this projects will set the framework for the rational design of novel and ’intelligent‘ antibacterial coating that selectively respond to the ‘virulent’ bacteria that cause such significant and recurrent issues in routine kidney dialysis regimens and will underpin future academic and commercial collaborative efforts to rationally-design and manufacture kidney dialysis catheters with substrate surface characteristics that will enhance utility, function and clinical application;
Parasitic and viral infections involving the retina are serious eye conditions that are poorly understood and lack effective treatments. My PhD studies will focus on how human retinal cells fight infections caused by the Toxoplasma parasite, and dengue and Ebola viruses. The results of my investigations will inform the development of better treatments for these blinding eye diseases.
Protein Glycan Interactions In Infectious Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,182,220.00
Summary
Infectious diseases remain a serious threat to human health, accounting for over 10 million deaths each year. This is a broad-based collaborative proposal, building on our previous achievements. Its aim is to better understand the dynamic interactions between major disease-causing microbes and their human hosts, and to directly apply this new knowledge to the development of improved vaccines and novel treatment strategies. These are urgently needed to combat infectious diseases in the 21st centu ....Infectious diseases remain a serious threat to human health, accounting for over 10 million deaths each year. This is a broad-based collaborative proposal, building on our previous achievements. Its aim is to better understand the dynamic interactions between major disease-causing microbes and their human hosts, and to directly apply this new knowledge to the development of improved vaccines and novel treatment strategies. These are urgently needed to combat infectious diseases in the 21st century.Read moreRead less
Targeting Protein Synthesis In The Apicoplast And Cytoplasm Of Plasmodium
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,768.00
Summary
New antimalarial drugs are desperately needed. Protein synthesis in Plasmodium falciparum is a validated target for existing drugs and is a promising target for new drugs. This project brings together malaria biologists with chemists and computer scientists to explore this promising field. We will apply modern methods of drug target characterisation to find the most promising enzyme targets involved in protein synthesis and to identify inhibitors as leads for developing antimalarial therapies. A ....New antimalarial drugs are desperately needed. Protein synthesis in Plasmodium falciparum is a validated target for existing drugs and is a promising target for new drugs. This project brings together malaria biologists with chemists and computer scientists to explore this promising field. We will apply modern methods of drug target characterisation to find the most promising enzyme targets involved in protein synthesis and to identify inhibitors as leads for developing antimalarial therapies. Australian researchers involved in this project will provide expertise in bioinformatic prioritisation of Plasmodium drug targets from the aminoacyl tRNA synthetase family of enzymes. We will use structural modelling and docking experiments to identify promising antimalarial inhibitors, and will optimise assays to assess the effects of these inhibitors. We will also apply modern molecular biology tools to validate these enzymes as anti-malarial drug targets.Read moreRead less
Optimising Large-scale Public Health Interventions To Control Neglected Tropical Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Neglected tropical diseases (NTD) are a group of health conditions that affect the poorest of the poor, particularly in remote and rural areas. They affect the most vulnerable communities and cause substantial, chronic health harms impairing personal and social development. Several debilitating NTD are common in remote indigenous communities and Pacific islands. I propose a series of studies to investigate new strategies to control NTD in large populations where these diseases are endemic.
A Study Of The Relationship Between Vitamin D Status And The Severity And Outcomes Of Chronic Non-cholestatic Liver Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,351.00
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with common and severe conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease and diabetes. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency also worsens the severity and prognosis of chronic liver disease and that vitamin D replacement may improve outcomes. This research will further investigate the relationship of vitamin D deficiency to liver disease caused by the common conditions hepatitis B and C and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and th ....Vitamin D deficiency is associated with common and severe conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease and diabetes. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency also worsens the severity and prognosis of chronic liver disease and that vitamin D replacement may improve outcomes. This research will further investigate the relationship of vitamin D deficiency to liver disease caused by the common conditions hepatitis B and C and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the impact of vitamin D replacement.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of Infection Triggered Renal Vasculitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,900.00
Summary
Kidney disease, including glomerulonephritis, is an important cause of ill-health in Australia. Some forms of kidney inflammation are linked to infection, but we don�t understand why. This project explores products from bacteria, particularly S.aureus, to work out how bacterial infection affects a form of kidney inflammation - ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis. It will establish how infection related signals activate local and immune cells, and define links between infection and the disease.
Development Of New Therapies For Respiratory Diseases And Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$847,490.00
Summary
Prof Hansbro’s group have developed world 1st experimental models of emphysema, severe asthma infection and lung cancer. He uses them to further our understanding of these untreatable diseases. This has led to the development of new potential therapeutic approaches. Now, in discovery programs he will expand studies of pathogenesis to identify new therapeutic targets these diseases. In development and translational programs he will progress new therapies towards clinical application.